European Customer Satisfaction Index Model Research Articles

Measuring automobile service quality with the European customer satisfaction index model (ECSI): the moderating effect of trust

PurposeIn this study, the service quality of an automobile authorized service center was investigated based on the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model. The ECSI model includes image, customer expectations, perceived quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, customer complaints and customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachIn the study, an attempt was made to improve the ESCI model by adding the trust factor as a moderating variable. After an extensive literature review, measurement questions were developed to best represent the factors in the research model. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the fit of the research model and test the hypotheses.FindingsAs a result of the analysis, only one of the 13 hypotheses tested was not supported. According to the results of hypothesis testing, the highest effect was found in the relationship between customer satisfaction customer complaints, customer expectations and perceived quality. In addition, customer expectations affect customer satisfaction indirectly rather than directly. In this case, customer expectations, perceived value and perceived quality influence customer satisfaction.Practical implicationsThe customer satisfaction quality index score of the authorized automobile service whose service quality was measured was calculated as 72.75. Although customers were generally satisfied with the authorized service, their expectations were not fully met.Originality/valueIn the study, an attempt was made to improve the ECSI model by adding a trust factor. Trust, which was added to the model as a moderator variable, fit the model. As a result, it was revealed that trust has an increasing regulatory effect on the relationship between perceived quality and customer satisfaction.

How to make you spend more in the airport? An investigation towards ECSI model on willingness to spend more in airport

This study intends to uncover the potential drivers that motivate air passengers to spend more in the airport. To address the gaps in the literature, this study proposed a model that integrated the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) and Experience Economy Theory. Data was collected from 341 passengers at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and analyzed using Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The structural model results suggested that willingness to spend more depended on the passengers’ satisfaction and perceived value. Experience economy was found to mediate the path between airport image and passenger expectation on perceived value. Implications and suggestions for further research were discussed.

Using the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) Model to Examine Student Satisfaction in the Context of Universities in Uganda

Student satisfaction (SS) is one of the strategic tools for a university in a competitive environment. Hence the need to investigate SS in universities. The aim of our study was to use the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model to examine SS in universities in Uganda. The ECSI model suggests that SS is dependent on university image (UI), student expectations (SE), service quality of infrastructure and tangible service elements (SQITSE), service quality of people and processes (SQPP) and perceived value of investment (PVI). The ECSI model further suggests that PVI is dependent on UI, SE, SQITSE and SQPP. It also suggests that student loyalty (SL) is dependent on UI, SS and SQPP and finally that SE is dependent on UI. We designed a self-administered questionnaire on those constructs and had a sample of 704 students from seven universities in Uganda respond to it. We analysed our data using linear regression. Our findings gave support to the ECSI model in examining SS. We established that all the relationships among the constructs in the ECSI model were significant except the relationship between SQITSE and SS. We concluded that the ECSI model was appropriate for examining SS in the context of universities in Uganda. We recommend that university authorities allocate resources to improving their respective UI, SE, SQPP and PVI so as to enhance SS which invariably leads to SL.

A graduates ’ satisfaction index for the evaluation of the university overall quality

In the higher educational setting, students provide a relevant contribution to the quality of educational services. In such a context, the measurement of the perceived quality and related satisfaction for the university experience are of primary interest to evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of the learning processes. In this contribution, we aim at assessing the overall quality of the graduates’ university experience in terms of internal and external efficacy by applying the ECSI (European Customer Satisfaction Index) methodology, based on structural equation models and primarily developed in the context of customer satisfaction. For this aim, we propose a modified ECSI model tailored for the higher educational setting, explicitly taking into account the differences among groups of degree program. The study is carried out on data collected by the AlmaLaurea surveys at the University of Florence (Italy) in the period 2014–2017 and concerns a sample of more than 2,000 graduates. We find out eight latent variables that contribute to define the overall quality of university experience. These variables are differently affected by the type of degree program, with the highest levels of external efficacy observed for degree programs belonging to the educational, health, and engineering groups. It also turns out that interventions on the internal efficacy (i.e., quality of hardware and quality of humanware) have a direct positive effect on the university (i.e., loyalty) and an indirect positive effect on the society (i.e., external efficacy).

Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty as a Part of Customer-Based Corporate Sustainability in the Sector of Mobile Communications Services

In the service sector, the issue of customer satisfaction is being paid great attention. It has become central concern for companies of services to improve service quality, and to maintain customer loyalty within a highly competitive marketplace. The success of customer satisfaction is not only closely related to a company’s quality management and marketing activities but it also has significant impacts on the company’s future and its customer-based corporate sustainability. Customer satisfaction influences variables that are indicators of customer loyalty and long-time customer relationships. The aim of this paper is to provide information about customer satisfaction with quality of electronic communications services and show the results of application of the European customer satisfaction index (ECSI) model carried out in Slovak electronic communications market. Our marketing research pointed out that the ECSI model can provide a better understanding of the complex relationships of the variables of customer loyalty and customer satisfaction and their impact to sustainability of Slovak telecom provider.

Validation and improvement of the European Customer Satisfaction Index for the Spanish wine sector

PurposeA study of the Spanish wine sector, in this case specifically the Designation of Origin (DO) Somontano, requires validation of the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI), which also needs to be improved and adapted to obtain more information on customer satisfaction. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper the ECSI model was applied, based on structural equation modeling (SEM) using the partial least squares.FindingsAn empirical analysis shows that the importance of customers’ expectations and perceived quality are the most influential factors in achieving satisfaction. Also highlighted in the new model is the linkage between service and product qualities in a unique variable, total quality.Originality/valueIn addition to validating the ECSI model for DO Somontano, a new innovative implementation was developed and tested to improve the calculation of satisfaction.

Enriching the ECSI model using brand strength in the retail setting

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the retailer’s brand strength as a potential predictor of loyalty. It also examines the role of customer satisfaction (CS) to the retailer’s loyalty as well as its impact on the retailer’s brand strength. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in the grocery context and in a market under recession using the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model. Data were collected through a telephone survey from 2,000 participants responsible for the household grocery shopping with a quota of 250 respondents from each of the leading grocery retailers in Greece. A formative measurement model was developed and the collected data were analyzed using partial least square path modeling. Findings The findings revealed that the strength of the retailer’s brand and CS influence retail loyalty and that brand strength mediate the strength of CS to loyalty. Results also suggested that the expectations and the perceptions toward the retailer’s product offering are the most important drivers of CS and loyalty. Thus, the study has proved the importance of the functional store attributes to CS and loyalty in the grocery store setting. Originality/value Research examining the suitability of the ECSI model in the grocery setting and in a market under economic crisis is scarce. This paper addresses these shortcomings by examining a customer loyalty model which incorporates the brand strength construct and investigates the role of brand strength as a potential predictor of loyalty as well as the role of CS in the brand strength and loyalty.

Measuring farmer’s satisfaction and brand loyalty toward Indian fertilizer brands using DEA

The present study has attempted to identify Indian farmers’ level of satisfaction and loyalty pertaining to the purchase and use of different fertilizer brands. Fertilizer brands have to operate under certain prevailing constraints, such as uncertainty in weather conditions, the nature of the product and its usages. Added to this, there has been a reduction in the subsidy offered by the government of India, resulting in the escalation of complex fertilizer prices from INR 500 per bag to more than INR 1200 per bag. In order to gain competitive advantage through larger market share and increased profitability under the aforementioned constraints, retention of existing customers and strengthening brand loyalty have become significant preferences for fertilizer-selling firms. The study has employed data envelopment analysis as a tool to measure farmers’ satisfaction and brand loyalty efficiency toward existing fertilizer brands. The European Customer Satisfaction Index model has been used as a reference for the paper. The data analysis reveals that Paradeep Phosphates Limited featured as the most preferred brand. The study has several implications. Managers can use these findings for their self-assessment of the fertilizer brands and then improve upon or manage the farmers’ satisfaction and loyalty patterns.

Corporate Responsibility under the ECSI model: An application in the hotel sector

This article deals with the study of Corporate Responsibility (CR) under the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI). The methodology of this empirical study, conducted among 629 customers staying at hotels in the city of Seville, is based on structural equation modeling (PLS). The results obtained demonstrate the applicability of the European model to the hotel sector, although not all the relationships from the original model have been proven. The main contributions are derived from a better understanding of the model's components, a variable not studied before having been incorporated: the importance of Corporate Responsibility (CR). Moreover, it means to contribute to the field of research on CR as, despite the growing interest in the subject, the effects of this construct are still poorly understood.

An application of European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) in business to business (B2B) context

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the most important antecedents of customer loyalty in business-to-business (B2B) context using European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire is designed consisting of measures of customer loyalty gathered mainly from previous related studies. A survey of business customers in construction and mining equipment industry in Iran is conducted, and a total of 90 responses are obtained. The collected data are analyzed according to the structural equation modeling technique using partial least square path modeling software. Findings – The ECSI model shows sufficient explanatory power in explaining loyalty in the B2B context. Adding trust to the original model leads to a better explanation of loyalty in the proposed model. In this model, corporate image is the main route to predict loyalty, while satisfaction, complaint handling and trust also are important. Although there is no direct effect of perceived quality, perceived value and expectation on loyalty, their total impact is considerable which is mediated through satisfaction. Research limitations/implications – The research should be expanded to other B2B sectors to validate its findings in different industries. Future research can also assess the impact of moderating variables. Originality/value – Most previous customer loyalty models concern business-to-consumer (B2C) rather than the B2B context. Moreover, research examining the suitability of the ECSI model in B2B is scarce. This paper addresses these shortcomings by examining a holistic customer loyalty model which incorporates some overlooked constructs as corporate image, expectation and complaint handling from the ECSI model. The proposed model, also adds trust which is not incorporated in national indices despite its importance in predicting loyalty.

Universal structure modeling approach to customer satisfaction index

PurposePrevious researches have proven that customer satisfaction and loyalty are affected by complicated relationships and are challenging to European customer satisfaction index (ECSI) model. Existing approaches mostly limit their hypotheses to linear relationships, which hinder much information that would lead to better modeling and understanding the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty. The purpose of this paper is to reveal potential nonlinear and interaction effects that might be embedded in antecedents of ECSI by exemplifying it in Turkish telecommunications sector.Design/methodology/approachThis papar has justified the validity and reliability of the ECSI model implementation in Turk Telekom Company. The path models are tested via conventional structural equation modeling (SEM) and using a novel method, i.e. universal structure modeling with Bayesian neural networks.FindingsThe findings of this study reveal that quality has the most important impact on customer satisfaction. The next important construct was found to be the company image. The relationship between customer expectation and customer satisfaction was revealed to be insignificant. This study reveals the fact that while using the ECSI model more attention must be paid to the consideration of potential nonlinear relationships that might be available among model constructs.Originality/valueThis research presents uniqueness in that it reveals significant nonlinear relationships between the model constructs of the ECSI model. Previous studies have identified purely linear relationships, which may not hold true in reality. However, in this study it is revealed that improving one determinant of customer satisfaction may not be as worthy as it is assumed to be in theory, which refers to a nonlinear relationship.

Customer satisfaction in Taipei mobile phone sector

Satisfaction increases sales volume, profit maximization, revenue growth and higher competitive advantage. This study tests the European customer satisfaction index (ECSI) model in the Taiwanese mobile phone sector. Customer satisfaction causality scores are provided for each of the antecedents and consequences of customer satisfaction to assess how they relate with the ECSI model. Antecedents and consequences of customer satisfaction provided includes perceived value, customer expectations, perceived quality, and image that are discovered to have direct and positive effects on customer satisfaction, while customer satisfaction has significant effects on customer loyalty. Image was also found to have positive and direct effects on customer loyalty. Overall, the study validated the ECSI model. Key words: Customer satisfaction index, customer satisfaction, customer satisfaction theory

An integrated framework based on the ECSI approach to link mould customers' satisfaction and product design

Customer satisfaction (CS) and retention are key issues for organisations in today's competitive market place, making its proper evaluation a main concern for companies. Recently, the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) has been assumed as a reliable and independent frame-of-reference way of assessing CS. This article describes one framework based on ECSI, which attempts to evaluate the factors that contribute to CS for the Portuguese moulds industry. In order to pursue this goal, an ECSI model, specific for the injection mould industry, was designed and tested. Owing to the characteristics of the gathered data, partial least squares was used to estimate model parameters. The estimated model, which shows validity and reliability, demonstrates an excellent capacity for explaining CS (80.4%), as well as loyalty (58.2%). We also propose an approach to link the ECSI model parameters to the generation and evaluation of design solutions for moulds. This linkage allows us to identify the critical factors for achieving high levels of molds' design quality, through analytical hierarchical process (AHP) ranking, and to determine the impact of mould's design solutions over CS and retention.

An Augmented Model of Customer Loyalty for Organizational Purchasing of Financial Services

ABSTRACT Purpose. To understand how the drivers of loyalty in business-to-business (B2B) markets for financial services might be moderated by short- versus long-term relational orientation to help companies in those markets optimize the allocation of their marketing resources. Methodology/Approach. The basis of this study was the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model of customer loyalty, which was relevant for this B2B market because the ratio of customers to suppliers was large and, therefore, similar to a business-to-consumer (B2C) market. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to estimate the ECSI model in two groups defined by a median split on Ganesan's (1994) buyer's relational orientation (BRO) scale. Findings. Buyer's relational orientation was a significant moderator of several relationships in the ECSI model. For buyers with a higher (long-term) BRO, loyalty was driven by satisfaction, corporate image, product quality, and service quality. For buyers with a lower (short-term) BRO, what little loyalty existed was driven by product quality alone, rather than service quality, image, or satisfaction. Originality/Value/Contribution. This study demonstrates the usefulness of testing for differences in the drivers of loyalty for customers with short-versus long-term relational orientation. The management implications are the usefulness of adopting a portfolio approach to managing financial services customers by (1) segmenting customers into high and low BRO groups and (2) implementing different marketing approaches for these two segments.

An application of the ECSI model as a predictor of satisfaction and loyalty for backpacker hostels

PurposeTo determine which factors account for customer satisfaction with a service and their loyalty to a given service provider, in the particular, context of “backpacking” in Australia, a significant element of the country's hospitality and tourism economy.Design/methodology/approachA series of hypotheses was developed from the services marketing literature and built into a 52 item questionnaire administered to 281 backpackers staying at the three youth hostels in Australia, who thus responded whilst actually experiencing the service encounter rather than in recalling it later. The European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) was used to measure the strength and direction of the determinants of customer satisfaction, and the impact that the antecedents of satisfaction had on loyalty to the generic provider.FindingsThe results of confirmatory factor analysis of the questionnaire responses suggest that brand image is a predictor of satisfaction with a hostel, while perceived value indicates a degree of loyalty towards the “brand”.Research limitations/implicationsThe ECSI model's generic measuring criteria limit its generalisability. Further, research could usefully investigate other variables applicable to both hostels and conventional hotels to be included in a measurement model of satisfaction and loyalty for the whole hospitality industry.Practical implicationsBackpacker hostels are an example of experienced‐based service encounters with few clear comparative advantages. The marketing of the generic brand must therefore foster a brand image congruent with the experience actually delivered and the potential customers' expectations of it, thereby reducing decision risk.Originality/valueThe unusual context and particular methodology cast fresh light on an important challenge for marketing planners in the service industries.

The role of communication and trust in explaining customer loyalty

Loyalty has, over the past decade, become a crucial construct in marketing, and particularly in the burgeoning field of customer relationship management. This paper shows that customer loyalty can be explained to a substantial degree by customer satisfaction, trust, and communication, and shows the direct and indirect effects among those constructs and other constructs in an extension of the European Customer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) model. Both ECSI model and the extended model are estimated with data from a survey carried out among customers of the banking sector. Within the limitations of the study, the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.

The employee‐customer satisfaction chain in the ECSI model

Among the large number of currently available approaches for studying customer satisfaction, a very promising one is that adopted in the European customer satisfaction index (ECSI) model. Yet, in spite of its various contributions to customer satisfaction research, this approach exhibits certain limitations, of which we will emphasise one: contrary to compelling evidence, the model does not consider the service climate or, more specifically, the cause and effect relationship between employee behaviour and customer satisfaction. The main goal of the present paper is to contribute to counteracting such a limitation. A reformulation of the ECSI model is suggested, integrating it into key components of employee satisfaction models (employee satisfaction, loyalty and commitment) as they are perceived by customers. Both the ECSI model and the ECSI revised model are estimated with data from a survey carried out among supermarket customers. The results show that some variables such as perceived quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty are better explained by the ECSI revised model. Also, statistically significant interactions between the new variables (with the exception of employee loyalty) and some of the ECSI model variables (perceived product quality and perceived service quality) were discovered.