| Author: | Gwinner, K. P. Gremler, D. D. Bitner, M. J. |
| Title: | Relational benefits in services industries: The customer's perspective. |
| Journal: | Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science
1998 : SPRING, VOL. 26: 2, p. 103-114 |
| Index terms: | CUSTOMERS CONSUMERS SERVICE INDUSTRIES |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | This research examines the benefits customers receive as a result of engaging in long-term relational exchanges with service firms. Findings from two studies indicate that consumer relational benefits can be categorized into three distinct benefit types: confidence, social, and special treatment benefits. Confidence are recieved more and rated as more important than the other relational benefits by consumers, followed by social and special treatment benefits, respectively. Responses segmented by type of service business show a consistent pattern with respect to customer rankings of benefit importance. Management implications for relational strategies anf future research implications of the findings are discussed. |
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