Thesis

The grey market and the service encounter : an investigation of satisfiers, dissatisfiers and complaining behaviour

Creator
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2008
Thesis identifier
  • T12013
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • The general aim of the research is to explore the factors that are salient to senior customers' evaluations of service encounters and the effect that these factors might have on senior customers' behavioural reactions and future intentions. This general aim is further analysed into the following research objectives: 1) to explore senior customers' key satisfiers and dissatisfiers with service encounters, 2) to explore the attitudes of senior customers towards the making of complaints about unsatisfactory service encounters, and 3) to explore the factors that influence senior customers' complaining behaviour responses to unsatisfactory service encounters. Taking an interpretative research position, the views of sixty senior customers are sought through the use of in-depth interviews and projective techniques. The selection of the interviewees is the result of heterogeneity and criterion purposive sampling. The analysis of the data for this study is iterative and follows the paths of i) analysis on site, ii) running the data open, iii) focusing the analysis, and iv) deepening the analysis. Analysis and interpretation of this data suggests that a) the majority of the interviewees tend to base their evaluation of their overall service encounter on affective rather than on cognitive issues, b) psychological and emotional limitations appear to be better indicators compared to biological ones of the majority of the interviewed seniors' needs and wants in service provision, and c) interviewees' complaining attitude and behaviour often seem to be mainly driven by their image management. This study illuminates senior customers' needs and wants in the service encounter and provides insights about their behavioural responses when faced with a service failure.
Resource Type
DOI
EThOS ID
  • uk.bl.ethos.488628
Date Created
  • 2008
Former identifier
  • 775496

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