Read 2
Read 2
Satisfaction
Abstract:
The Service Quality or Gap model (SERVQUAL) has been recognised as an essential tool in
identifying service quality and further than this the relationship between a company and its
customers. This is vital for firms in sustaining existed advantage and ability to grow further.
The purpose of this paper is to identify how applicable the model can be in the context of
family owned restaurants and its implications. To this extent, research was conducted
involving customers of two family owned restaurants in the Bournemouth area, South West of
England. The dimensions of SERVQUAL fulfilled the purpose of research investigation,
especially in the context of a narrowly defined sector as the family owned restaurants. The
fact that customers were critical with certain aspects of the offered service indicates a higher
degree of expectations in comparison with what they received. There were two major
limitations in this study: a) the rather small number of completed questionnaires; and b) the
somehow introductory to SERVQUAL process of data analysis. Both were dealt with by
emphasising on gains of its applicability. The research pointed out that management of family
owned restaurants should take into account a wide range of issues if they anticipate their
business to survive in a world of financial recession. To this extent, attention to detail is
necessary in order to satisfy contemporary customer service demands. As application of
SERVQUAL has been so expanded, the real value of this study lies on its actual application.
Its biggest asset lies upon identification of pockets of non-efficient service practices that
could be of practical use.
Keywords: SERVQUAL, service quality, customer satisfaction, family owned restaurants
1. Introduction
Provision of excellent service quality in order to receive high customer satisfaction is a vital
issue as well as a challenge facing the contemporary service industry. It is for this reason that
this issue has become of great importance for both academics and practitioners in the subject
area of marketing (Ghasemi et al, 2012). It is not the first time that service quality appears to
obtain such importance. Through the last 20-25 years many firms have invested in service
initiatives and promoted service quality as ways to differentiate themselves and thus gain
competitive advantage (Zeithaml et al, 2006). It has been the rapid development and
competition of service quality in many commerce arenas that has made it important for firms
to measure and evaluate (Brown and Bitner, 2007). This paper aims to illustrate the
importance of service quality for sustaining profitable business in family owned restaurant
industry in the South West of England. The Service Quality (SERVQUAL) model was used
in showing the level of service quality in selected sample restaurants.
2. Theory
The SERVQUAL Model
The SERVQUAL model has been developed in a rather high number of versions applied in
assorted industries. It was designed to evaluate customers` perceptions of service quality with
the aim to examine the degree of implementation of an effective and reliable business (Hill
and Alexander, 2006). The SERVQUAL model has been chosen over other models as one
that has been well used in assorted industries and also as one that could bring a status of
research validity (Heung et al, 2000). Apart from seeing the level of service quality, it also
assists firms to take some other advantages such as tracking customer expectations and
perceptions over time (Weitz and Wensley, 2006). Opinions from employees with respect to
customer expectations and satisfaction can also be gained (Fedoroff, 2009).
The main purpose of model is to apply its dimensions in identifying the gap between
customer expectations and perceptions (Peters and Pikkemaat, 2006; Zeithaml et al, 2006).
Vendors and customers may perceive level of quality differently. They may consider their
services of being of high quality however customers may think oppositely. If this happens
then there are gaps between what customers and providers believe (Brown, 1991). In
consequence, the gap between these two concepts shows the level of service quality of a firm
(Allen and Rao, 2000).
The model as it is shown in Appendix 1 focuses on five pivotal gaps in delivering and
marketing service:
The Customer gap: difference between customer expectations and perceptions;
Provider gap 1: not knowing what customers expect;
Provider gap 2: Not selecting the right service designs and standards;
Provider gap 3: Not delivering to service designs and standards;
Provider gap 4: Not matching performance to promises
(Zeithaml et al, 2006: p 46)
Limitations of the SERVQUAL model
One of the obvious limitations of the SERVQUAL model is that it is suitable only for service
provision businesses therefore it doesnt apply appropriate to businesses which provide
tangible goods (Hill and Alexander, 2006). Secondly, looking at the implementation of the
SERVQUAL model to the restaurant industry it could be argued that customer expectations
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and perceptions can be compared only after the customer finishes their meal. Potential issues
might occur as expectations are formed before the meal is served therefore the measurement
of service quality in terms of this situation does not appear reliable (Palmer, 2005.
Expectations are only created according to previous service experiences (Kahneman and
Miller, 1986; Palmer, 2005). Customer perceptions can change toward the same service
delivery in the light of previous experiences because the new expectations can be created for
the same service (Oh, 1999). Therefore the validity of the measurement can decrease over
time. The model does not also recognise the technical aspect of service as an important part of
process (Lenka et al, 2009). The model only aims to measure functional aspect of service
process. This affects the measurement of whole quality aspects of service process.
3. Methodology
In the present project, two family owned restaurants are going to be examined for the level of
their service quality by applying the SERVQUAL model. These restaurants are located in
Bournemouth, South West of England. A positivist deductive approach was adopted. The
usefulness of a questionnaire-based survey for this research is reflected in the reasons for
using it, as identified by Denscombe (2010): a) the requirement for straightforward
information; b) the need for standardised data from identical questions; and c) the fact that the
respondents needed to understand easily the scope and questions. In this respect the design of
the questionnaire was based on 22 factors which were separated in five dimensions that
encapsulate the information needed (as identified by Zeithaml et al, 1990 and Hill and
Alexander 2006): a) Tangibles; b) Reliability; c) Responsiveness; d) Assurance; and e)
Empathy. A probability sample was chosen because each unit of population has an equal
probability of inclusion in the sample if it randomly selected (Bryman and Bell, 2007). The
reason for choosing random selection was that it could reflect reliability in a more accurate
way than a consciously chosen sample. Two restaurants were chosen. The number of
responded customers was 100 (50 questionnaires per restaurant). Whilst the realisation that a
small number of responses would have created issues of validity it could be argued that the
accuracy of the questionnaire depended on a decreased sample error.
4. Data Analysis and Discussion
4.1.Validity, Reliability and Method of Data Analysis
Before we embark in presenting and analysing the actual research findings it is necessary to
shape their validity and reliability as well as to describe the method for data analysis. In terms
of validity then, there was a strong element of construct validity in this research which relies
upon the use of the SERVQUAL model in the past and present plus a similar research
approach was applied to this study as well. Customers were asked to complete a questionnaire
before and after they had their meal. Regarding reliability, Cronbach`s Alpha was used to
illustrate the reliability of the questionnaire. The value has to be over 0.7 in order to
accomplish reliable work. The values of Cronbach`s Alpha in relation to the five dimensions
of the SERVQUAL model are shown in Table 1. As it can be seen the Cronbach`s value is
over 0.7 for each dimension of the questionnaire therefore the questionnaire appears to
become reliable for each dimension. It was anticipated that descriptive statistics was sufficient
to explain the project questions and objectives therefore an inferential test is not required to
analyse as there are no gender or age categories to analyse.
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Cronbach's Alpha ()
Number of Items
Tangibles (TAN)
.802
Reliability (REL)
.726
Responsiveness (RES)
.771
Assurance (ASS)
.779
Empathy (EMP)
.728
Std. Deviation ()
Variance
Tangibles total
3.4000
1.38505
1.918
Reliability total
3.1800
1.50767
2.273
Responsiveness total
3.0600
1.18511
1.404
Assurance total
2.6600
1.34938
1.821
Empathy total
2.7000
1.54193
2.378
Valid N (listwise)
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up their menu with special diets. This dimension comes up as fifth in both places which
obviously means that both restaurants need to perform better on empathy.
5-Dimensions Model for SERVQUAL - Yummies Restaurant
Mean
Std. Deviation ()
Variance
Tangibles total
2.9800
1.39225
1.938
Reliability total
3.4600
1.37336
1.886
Responsiveness total
3.3200
1.46301
2.140
Assurance total
2.9000
1.26572
1.602
Empathy total
2.3400
1.36442
1.862
Valid N (listwise)
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dimension was ranked as the second most satisfying one. The reliability dimension was
presented as the most important dimension in Jennys (a mean of 5.7520) while it was the
second most important dimension for Yummies (with a score of 5.9040). In general,
reliability was very much evident for both places.
Regarding responsiveness, in Jenny`s restaurant, employees were willing to help customers
(RES3) and this was the most satisfying aspect (with a mean of 5.9600). On the other hand,
employees showed a sincere interest in solving problem (RES1) and this was the most
satisfying aspect at Yummies (5.7400). In both restaurants complaints were made about
providing prompt service (RES2) a score of 5.6200 for Jennys compared to 5.5200 for
Yummies. The employees of both restaurants appeared to be slow in providing their service
and this was something both companies need to deal with in a systematic manner.
In term of assurance, Jenny`s restaurant presented the customer feels safe in making
transaction (Assurance2) as the most satisfying one in its customer opinion (a mean of
6.1400) whereas employees are consistently courteous to customer (Assurance3) was the
most satisfying in Yummies (a mean of 5.9000). In terms of empathy, for Jenny`s restaurant,
opening hours are convenient to all customers (EMP2) was the most satisfying aspect
whereas in Yummies, provide a comfortable environment for their customers (EMP3) was
the most satisfying aspect. On the other side of the spectrum, menus have special diets for all
customers (EMP4) was the least satisfying aspect (5.1600 for Jennys compared to 5.3480
for Yummies). The rather low scores clearly indicated that there was an issue with this
important factor.
Conclusion
The findings indicated a mix of actions that are necessary to be taken by the two family
owned restaurants. In order to discover the level of service quality, the SERVQUAL model
was modified for the restaurant business. The restaurant sector has involved a certain degree
of stiff competition therefore service quality is crucial in enabling the restaurant business to
survive in their market (Abel and Bruno, 2007). The findings verified the latter statement.
Based upon the results obtained improvements that the two places should really need to
provide are linked with:
For Jennys:
Encouraging welcoming ambiance;
Increasing employees knowledge about their work towards customer satisfaction;
Minimise mistakes made in taking orders;
Responding to customer promptly;
Improving the range of their menu by initiating meals of special diets.
For Yummies:
Improving on punctuality about the time it opens and closes;
Making their menus visually appealing;
Improving the range of their menu by initiating meals of special diets.
Finally, it is worth mentioning two limitations which affected the way this study was
conducted. First that the current project limits the dimensions of SERVQUAL in five
categories only despite the fact that there is a range of other versions of the model that uses
more dimensions. Secondly, the difference in score between perceptions-expectations was not
used. Only the perception of customers was analysed. The expectations of customers were
incorporated only in the order of importance for the models five dimensions.
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Appendix 1: The Gaps model of Service Quality (Zeithaml et al, 2006: p 46)
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Appendix 2: Descriptive statistics for Jenny`s restaurant regarding the five dimensions of
SERVQUAL model
Mean
Std.
()
Tangibles1
5.5200
1.07362
1.153
Tangibles2
5.5400
1.26507
1.600
Tangibles3
5.6600
1.11776
1.249
Tangibles4
6.0600
1.05772
1.119
Tangibles average
5.6950
.91653
.840
Reliability1
6.3000
.78895
.622
Reliability2
6.0800
.94415
.891
Reliability3
5.4600
1.23239
1.519
Reliability4
6.0000
.94761
.898
Reliability5
5.6800
1.03884
1.079
Reliability average
5.9040
.67762
.459
Responsiveness1
5.9000
1.01519
1.031
Responsiveness2
5.6200
1.19335
1.424
Responsiveness3
5.9600
1.06828
1.141
Responsiveness4
5.6400
1.12050
1.256
Responsiveness average
5.7800
.85213
.726
Assurance1
5.8200
1.18992
1.416
Assurance2
6.1400
.98995
.980
Assurance3
5.7600
1.15281
1.329
Assurance4
5.4200
1.12649
1.269
Assurance average
5.7850
.88354
.781
Empathy 1
5.8000
.88063
.776
Empathy 2
5.9400
1.05772
1.119
Empathy 3
5.8200
1.17265
1.375
Empathy 4
5.1600
1.31491
1.729
Empathy 5
5.6800
1.07741
1.161
Empathy average
5.6800
.74615
.557
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Deviation
Variance
Appendix 3: Descriptive statistics for Yummies restaurant regarding the five dimensions of
SERVQUAL model
Descriptive Statistics Yammies Restaurant
Mean
Std. Deviation
()
Variance
Tangibles1
5.9200
1.02698
1.055
Tangibles2
5.9000
1.09265
1.194
Tangibles3
5.4000
1.26168
1.592
Tangibles4
5.9000
1.11117
1.235
Tangibles average
5.7800
.88589
.785
Reliability1
5.5400
1.54140
2.376
Reliability2
5.5400
1.26507
1.600
Reliability3
5.6200
1.41263
1.996
Reliability4
6.0200
1.11557
1.244
Reliability5
6.0400
1.35466
1.835
Reliability average
5.7520
.95922
.920
Responsiveness1
5.7400
1.32187
1.747
Responsiveness2
5.5200
1.24933
1.561
Responsiveness3
5.6400
1.33646
1.786
Responsiveness4
5.6000
1.39971
1.959
Responsiveness average
5.6250
1.01801
1.036
Assurance1
5.7400
1.20898
1.462
Assurance2
5.8400
1.13137
1.280
Assurance3
5.9000
1.11117
1.235
Assurance4
5.4600
1.07305
1.151
Assurance average
5.7350
.86516
.748
Empathy1
5.3000
1.37396
1.888
Empathy2
5.5600
1.14571
1.313
Empathy3
5.5800
1.45812
2.126
Empathy4
4.8200
1.67442
2.804
Empathy5
5.4800
1.46022
2.132
Empathy average
5.3480
.99534
.991
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