Exploring the impact of student developed marketing communication tools and resources on SMEs performance and satisfaction

A number of SMEs lack the essential marketing skills, knowledge, tools and resources, and financial access to ensure the survival of their businesses. Service learning could be used as an effective pedagogy for assisting SMEs with vital marketing communication (MC) strategies via the development of tools and resources that may increase business growth and sustainability. The primary research objective was to evaluate SMEs’ satisfaction regarding performance factors, and student developed MC tools and resources that were implemented via a MC service learning programme (in the form of student-run agencies). The inquiry utilized the triad service learning model and quality assurance cycle to apply an evaluation research design that was substantiated by the expectancy-disconfirmation paradigm. A survey was conducted among 107 SME owners and managers via a structured questionnaire. The student developed MC tools and resources and their perceived usefulness resulted in a positive influence on a number of performance factors among SMEs. MC tools and resources such as a customer database, email address, and Facebook page had the largest influence on performance factors. Performance factors such as an increase in sales, new customers, brand awareness, competitive advantage, business efficiency, and motivation of employees were found to have a positive influence SME satisfaction. Further inquiry could replicate the study via various marketing-related service learning programmes in different countries that have divergent cultures, economics and contexts.

Customer Satisfaction with Branch Office Services in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture

This study empirically investigates the major factors that determine customer satisfaction in local government offices in Japan by using three categories of questions. They referred to customer satisfaction studies worldwide, especially to the expectancy disconfirmation model, the SERVQUAL model, and subsequent methods that emphasize customer’s direct experience. The on-site surveys were conducted at the Kurose branch office in Higashihiroshima City. A total of 240 responses were obtained over six weekdays. The regression analysis showed that staff responses and explanations were the most influential, followed by aspects related to the physical office and service delivery quality (adjusted R2 value of .51).

Factors Determining Customer Satisfaction with Counter Services of Local Government Offices: On-Site Survey Examining Service Quality at Higashihiroshima City Hall, Japan

This study empirically investigated the major factors determining customer satisfaction with counter services in local government offices in Japan, comparing them with the results of similar surveys conducted by the author in 2020. This study considers visitors’ direct experience of counter services through an on-site survey conducted at a municipal government building, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasise the customer’s direct experience. SERVQUAL, as the name suggests, is a five-group scale for evaluating service quality with respect to customer satisfaction. However, in actual organizational settings, five groups of questions may be burdensome to respondents and may reduce the collection rate. The author’s research involves conducting on-site surveys on customer satisfaction or service quality of the local government office using an original three-group questionnaire scale and tailoring the question items to a scale for Japanese local administration settings. The surveys comprise three categories of questions, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasise the customer’s direct experience. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed over four weekdays at the City Hall. As of September 27, 2021, there were 537 respondents (response rate: 53.7%). The regression analysis indicated that the independent variables of group C (service delivery) were most influential, followed by those of groups B (human-related factors) and A (office hardware) (adjusted R2 value: .58). Service delivery, human factors, and hardware aspects are important, in that order, to ensure customer satisfaction with the City Hall’s counter services. This is consistent with the results of the author’s Internet survey of users of Osaka City Government’s ward offices. Focusing on the second principal component of the service delivery category (C), promptness and short waiting times do not necessarily affect customer satisfaction positively.

Determinative Factors of Customer Satisfaction with Local Government Offices’ Counter Services: On-site Survey Examining Service Quality at Higashihiroshima City Hall

This study empirically investigated the major determinative factors regarding customer satisfaction in local government offices in Japan, comparing them with the results of similar surveys conducted by the author in 2020. The surveys comprise three categories of questions, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasize the customer’s direct experience. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed over four weekdays at the City Hall. As of September 27, 2021, there were 537 respondents (response rate: 53.7%). The regression analysis showed that the independent variables of group C (service delivery) were most influential, followed by those of groups B (human-related factors) and A (office hardware) (adjusted <i>R²</i> value: .58). This is consistent with the results of the author’s Internet survey of users of Osaka City Government’s ward offices.

Determinative Factors of Customer Satisfaction with Local Government Offices’ Counter Services: On-site Survey Examining Service Quality at Higashihiroshima City Hall

Using on-site surveys conducted at Higashihiroshima City Hall in 2021, this study empirically investigated the major determinative factors regarding customer satisfaction in local government offices in Japan, comparing them with the results of similar surveys conducted by the author in 2020. The surveys comprise three categories of questions, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasize the customer’s direct experience. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed over four weekdays at the City Hall. As of September 14, 2021, there were 528 respondents (response rate: 52.8%). The regression analysis showed that the independent variables of group C (service delivery) were most influential, followed by those of groups B and A (adjusted <i>R²</i> value: .57). This is consistent with the results of the author’s Internet survey of users of Osaka City Government’s ward offices.

Determinative Factors of Customer Satisfaction with Local Government Offices’ Counter Services: On-site Survey Examining Service Quality at Higashihiroshima City Hall

Using on-site surveys conducted at Higashihiroshima City Hall in 2021, this study empirically investigated the major determinative factors regarding customer satisfaction in local government offices in Japan, comparing them with the results of similar surveys conducted by the author in 2020. The surveys comprise three categories of questions, referring to (1) customer satisfaction research in various countries, especially the expectancy disconfirmation model; (2) the SERVQUAL model; and (3) subsequent methods that emphasize the customer’s direct experience. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were distributed over four weekdays at the City Hall. As of September 14, 2021, there were 528 respondents (response rate: 52.8%). The regression analysis showed that the independent variables of group C (service delivery) were most influential, followed by those of groups B and A (adjusted <i>R²</i> value: .57). This is consistent with the results of the author’s Internet survey of users of Osaka City Government’s ward offices.

Salesperson attributes that influence consumer perceptions of sales interactions

Purpose This paper aims to examine how modern, digital era customers in a business-to-consumer (B2C) setting prioritize salesperson-customer orientation attributes when evaluating their expectations regarding interactions with salespeople, as well as their impact on positive and negative word-of-mouth. In addition, the research further investigates which negative salesperson attributes have an impact on overall customer experience and satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach Role theory and expectancy-disconfirmation theory form the theoretical foundation for two mixed-method studies. Study 1 is an exploratory content analysis of online consumer reviews and social media word-of-mouth related to consumer experiences with salespeople. Study 2 is a three-round Delphi study investigating which salesperson orientation attributes are most important to the customer in B2C interactions. Findings The results uncover which salesperson customer orientation attributes are essential for modern consumers and how they differ as a function of context (retail, direct-selling and follow-up) and how they contribute to the generation of digital word-of-mouth. Originality/value This paper expands B2C sales interaction literature by exploring the need for differing sales attributes based on the differential function of the shopping environment.

Symbolic Representation, Expectancy Disconfirmation, and Citizen Complaints Against Police

The theory of symbolic representation expects that citizens will view the actions of government as more legitimate when administrators share their characteristics. Although there is support for this assertion in some service areas, the evidence in policing is mixed. We draw on Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory to develop the expectation that policing is an area where we may be unlikely to see a positive relationship between representation and positive citizen perceptions of government officials. We test this expectation in an individual-level analysis of citizen complaints against police from four American cities between 2014 and 2017. The results suggest that, all else equal, complaints against Black officers are as or more likely to be filed by Black citizens than by citizens of other races. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these results for both the study of representative bureaucracy and for the management of police citizen interactions.

How emotions affect restaurant digital ordering experiences: a comparison of three ordering methods

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the role of consumption emotion in the digital food-ordering experience by comparing the performances of the three digital ordering methods in an experimental design. Design/methodology/approach A research model was developed based on the Feelings-as-Information (FaI) theory and the expectancy-disconfirmation theory. A 3 × 2 between-subjects lab experiment was conducted to compare the three digital ordering methods (online, mobile or chatbot) in two different types of restaurants (quick-service or full-service). Findings The results indicate that the chatbot ordering method evoked more negative emotions and less positive emotions than the other two methods. The online ordering method worked the best for quick-service restaurants, whereas the mobile ordering method was most suitable for full-service restaurants. Both positive and negative emotions (comfort and annoyance) significantly mediated the relationships between the ordering method and internal responses (satisfaction and behavioral intention). Only one negative emotion (anger) significantly mediated the relationship between the ordering method and order amount. Originality/value This is the first study that attempts to explore and compare consumers’ emotional responses resulting from restaurant digital ordering experiences in the context of the three food-ordering methods. The use of the FaI theory strengthens the theoretical foundation of research on emotion in the hospitality field. This study also pioneers the application of chatbot technology in the restaurant industry.