[EN] After-sales services have become very important in the automobile industry. However, this area has not been sufficiently researched, particularly with regard to China, the most important car market globally. In this respect, German manufacturers play a leading role because they dominate the premium market segment. When it comes to services, the one thing that is especially important in China is culture. At the same time, this is exactly where a scientific gap exists because the cultural aspect in automotive services has been mostly neglected in the research literature. Thus, specific knowledge with regard to Chinese service demand behaviour is lacking, which could become a crucial issue because of the enormous differences between Chinese and Western cultures. This paper addresses this limitation by providing a guideline for how the entire process chain of after-sales services could be researched in China. In addition, it also introduces Schwartz's individual level value theory as a beneficial operationalisation approach to culture. Thereby, values are modelled as exogenous variables in order to show which ones are really causal. This significant advantage cannot be provided by national comparison studies, which are the ones that are most often conducted. A total of 301 Chinese workshop customers of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were surveyed in order to assess the critical success factors of after-sales services via partial least squares structural equation modelling. / [ES] Los servicios post venta en el sector del automóvil se han convertido en un elemento esencial en su mercadotecnia global. Sin embargo, no se han investigado suficientemente y, especialmente en países emergentes con mercados crecientes como China, el mercado más relevante a nivel mundial. Aquí, los fabricantes alemanes juegan un rol fundamental al dominar el segmento premium (o de cuasi lujo) del mercado. Cuando analizamos los servicios, un factor importante en China es la cultura. Sin embargo existe, en este campo un hueco en la investigación académica ya que en la literatura de investigación del sector automóvil, la cultura es un elemento poco analizado. Por ello, no se pueden aplicar conocimientos de mercadotecnia específicos en relación con el comportamiento de la demanda de servicios en China, en un tema esencial, como es la cultura China, muy diferente a la occidental. Esta tesis trata de enfocar las limitaciones mencionadas; en primer lugar, proporcionando una guía de cómo la cadena de proceso de servicios postventa puede ser investigada en países emergentes como China. Y en segundo lugar, porque se utiliza la teoría de cultura de Schwartz como un enfoque útil de instrumentación de los valores culturales. Así, estos se modelan como variables externas, para mostrar claramente cuáles son los valores realmente relevantes en su conjunto. Para ello se encuestaron a 301 clientes de talleres post venta chinos de las marcas Audi, BMW y Mercedes-Benz, con el fin de evaluar los factores críticos de éxito mediante modelos de ecuaciones estructurales de mínimos cuadrados parciales (PLS). / [CA] Els serveis post venda en el sector de l'automòbil s'han convertit en un element essencial del màrqueting global. No obstant això, no s'han investigat prou i, especialment en països emergents amb mercats creixents com la Xina, el mercat més rellevant a nivell mundial. Aquí, els fabricants alemanys juguen un paper fonamental en dominar el segment premium (o de quasi luxe) del mercat. Quan analitzem els serveis, un factor important a la Xina és la cultura. No obstant això existeix, en aquest camp un buit en la investigació acadèmica ja que en la literatura de recerca del sector automòbil, la cultura és un element poc analitzat. Per això, no es poden aplicar coneixements de màrqueting específics en relació amb el comportament de la demanda de serveis a la Xina, en un tema essencial, com és la cultura Xina, molt diferent a l'occidental. Aquesta tesis tracta d'enfocar les limitacions esmentades; en primer lloc, proporcionant una guia de com la cadena de procés de serveis postvenda pot ser investigada en països emergents com la Xina. I en segon lloc, perquè s'utilitza la teoria de cultura de Schwartz com un enfocament útil d'instrumentació dels valors culturals. Així, aquests es modelen com a variables externes, per mostrar clarament quins són els valors realment rellevants en el seu conjunt. Per a això es van enquestar a 301 clients de tallers post venda xinesos de les marques Audi, BMW i Mercedes-Benz, per tal d'avaluar els factors crítics d'èxit mitjançant models d'equacions estructurals de mínims quadrats / Frass, A. (2015). Impact of After-Sales Performances of German Automobile Manufacturers in China in Service Satisfaction and Loyalty. With a Particular Focus on the Influences of Cultural Determinants [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/59251

El rubro eléctrico en el área de automatización va creciendo de forma acelerada en el Perú, en Lambayeque la construcción de empresas Molineras, agroindustriales ha crecido rápidamente, obteniendo mayor demanda en la fabricación de tableros eléctricos de automatización, distribución, control de motores y más. Por este motivo ahora podemos encontrar muchas empresas que se dedican al rubro de fabricación de tableros, existiendo mucha competencia y por ende cada una de ellas se preocupa por tener una característica diferenciadora, una fortaleza bien definida con los mejores productos y precios. Y con ello también han crecido las importaciones de equipos con mayor tecnología en diferentes marcas, con diferentes características, encontrando así infinidad de equipos los cuales cumplen una función determinada y se adaptan a los diferentes tipos de empresa que existen en la región. La empresa SERVITRONIN E.I.R.L. se dedicada a la fabricación de tableros eléctricos. Para ello utiliza equipos importados, de la marca más conocida a nivel mundial, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, el cual su distribuidor directo más cercano se encuentra en Colombia. Por ello el objetivo principal de este proyecto es mejorar el servicio de fabricación de tableros eléctricos utilizando la metodología DMAIC con la finalidad obtener clientes satisfechos (internos y externos), esto se logrará mejorando los tiempos de entrega, mejorando la organización y planificación de los procesos, teniendo un stock de productos de mayor rotación y utilizando todos los recursos e insumos disponibles para adquirir solo lo necesario. Finalmente, con este proyecto las demás empresas podrán tomar la iniciativa de aplicar esta metodología y adecuarla a su realidad. / The electrical sector in the area of automation is growing rapidly in Peru, in Lambayeque the construction of milling and agro-industrial companies has grown rapidly, obtaining greater demand in the manufacture of electrical panels for automation, distribution, motor control and more. For this reason, we can now find many companies that are dedicated to the board manufacturing industry, with a lot of competition and therefore each of them is concerned with having a differentiating characteristic, a well-defined strength with the best products and prices. And with this, imports of equipment with greater technology in different brands, with different characteristics, have also grown, thus finding an infinite number of equipment which fulfill a specific function and adapt to the different types of companies that exist in the region. The company SERVITRONIN E.I.R.L. is dedicated to the manufacture of electrical panels. To do this, it uses imported equipment, from the best-known brand worldwide, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, whose closest direct distributor is in Colombia. Therefore, the main objective of this project is to improve the electrical panel manufacturing service using the DMAIC methodology in order to obtain satisfied customers (internal and external), this will be achieved by improving delivery times, improving the organization and planning of the processes., having a stock of products with greater rotation and using all available resources and inputs to acquire only what is necessary. Finally, with this project other companies will be able to take the initiative to apply this methodology and adapt it to their reality.

Public sector organisations are established in order to promote the quality of citizen's lives through the provision of public services. However, the demands for public services often outstrip the limited resources at the disposal of the public sector for the delivery of such services. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are emerging as an important tool of public policy to deliver public infrastructure and the attendant services. The main aim of this study is to establish the extent to which PPPs can be used to improve the quality of the delivery of secondary education in the Gaborone City area in Botswana. The study includes a conceptual analysis of the nature of the public services in general, and in particular, the nature and the provision of secondary education in Botswana with specific reference to the Gaborone City area. The study also includes a conceptual analysis of PPPs as gleaned from published literature. Various dimensions of PPPs are analysed and these include but are not limited to definitions, benefits, models and the antecedents for the successful implementation of PPPs. Among the various models that are analysed in the study, the design, build, operate and finance (DBOF) model is preferred for improving the quality of the delivery of secondary education in the Gaborone City area in Botswana. In addition to the conceptual analysis, an empirical research study is undertaken in which the secondary school heads are the respondents to a structured questionnaire. The results of the empirical research support the conceptual analysis to the extent that in both cases, it is possible to improve the quality of the delivery of secondary education through PPPs. More secondary schools can be built and more facilities be made available to schools. Through the use of PPPs, most if not all learners can receive the entire secondary education programme, from junior to senior secondary education. Existing secondary schools can be modernised through PPPs. Ancillary services can be delivered by the organisations that have the necessary expertise. Certain antecedents for the successful implementation of PPPs are necessary. Through PPPs, secondary schools can be made attractive and intellectually stimulating. / Public Administration / (D.Litt. et Phil. ( Public Administration))

Final draft report presented to the Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa / The main purpose of this study is to ascertain the major service quality variables that determine customer satisfaction for the Carbonated Soft Drink market which is dynamic and is also part of the highly competitive impulse beverage industry in South Africa. Amalgamated Beverages Industry (aka Coca Cola) still holds the lion’s share of the market although its share has fallen in the last 5 years presumably due to the growth in the consumption of substitutes such as bottled water, 100% fruit juices, energy drinks and dairy juice blends. The proliferation of “diet conscious” consumers has exacerbated the situation. These alternatives are the primary growth areas in the impulse beverage market. This has obviously threatened the viability and profitability of major players in this industry. To date the performance of Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs) has been less than satisfactory. There are other key players which have penetrated this market namely Pepsi, trading as Pioneer Foods, Royal, Pioneer Foods, California Cola, Pick ‘n Pay and Quality Beverages. For purposes of this study the three key players were chosen namely ABI, Pepsi and Quality Beverages. These key players have made huge investments in this industry at the level of production and distribution. In addition heavy investments go towards advertising and promotional campaigns. This research is exploratory in nature and makes way for further research in order to reach a more logical conclusion. This study is conducted within the confines of Gauteng region and more specifically Johannesburg North and Central. These two regions were chosen because the researcher resides close to these regions and wanted to minimize the costs involved in this study. The researcher also assumed the findings are a true representation of the broader picture of the South African scenario. Before collecting information the researcher initially consulted recent articles, books, magazines, company reports and even the internet in order to develop a clear understanding of the industry. This also helped the researcher to make logical decisions in the course` of undertaking the research. To that effect the researcher adopted the service quality SERVQUAL and the Gaps models in coming up with a measurement instrument for the research. The CSD companies have two broad categories of customers namely the trader and the end user or consumer. The trader purchases the product for purposes of research whilst the end user buys for consumption. This research focused on the trade customer. According to research experts a sample of more than 5% of the total population does not compromise validity. However the researcher opted for more than 10% of the total population in order to increase reliability of the results. Thus from the population size of 965 trade outlets the researcher arrived at a sample of 100. The traders were classified into four major categories namely retail outlets, wholesalers, restaurants and service stations. Information was collected from these 100 traders using personal interviews. The researcher is the one who conducted all the interviews. Information was gathered from buyers, managers and owners. The researcher took advantage of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists in order to make a meaningful analysis of the data collected. Many service oriented recommendations have been promulgated by this research. They are neither exhaustive nor prescriptive given the time constraint within which this research was conducted.

Customer satisfaction is a key concern in any business strategy. It is often assumed that customer satisfaction can be enhanced using e-services. E-service is defined as interactive service received via the Internet (Jiang et al., 2013). E-service has contributed to business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce by providing on-demand solutions to customers. The relationship with the customer is enhanced by introducing self-service options, product customisation and variety. However, there may also be negative impacts, such as techno-stress and lack of online customer assistance. The primary aim of this research was to develop a conceptual framework to describe the correlation relationship between the factors that influence customers’ adoption of e-services. Organisations use the Internet to attract customers, to conduct financial services and obtain information. This research focussed specifically on online shopping. The Grounded Theory research methodology was chosen for its flexibility and iterative comparison of data. A quantitative survey was conducted to determine the relative significance of the factors uncovered by the Grounded Theory methodology and to validate the hypothesis of the conceptual model. Customer adoption is attained where customer satisfaction is high, where the customer sees value in the service, and where there is customer loyalty or trust. To date, research has focussed primarily on developed countries. Many challenges face South Africa as a Newly Industrialised Country (NIC). The negative factors facing developing countries in terms of e-service adoption include: lack of infrastructure, economic constraints and an emergent socio-political framework. The aim of this research was to build a conceptual model for explaining interrelationships between the identified factors that have an impact on customer e-service adoption. The customer’s perception of technology-driven services affects the organisation’s reputation, which in turn affects profitability. This research will be beneficial to managers in local organisations that thrive on e-services. An understanding of customer preferences will lead to improvement of customer services in South Africa. / Information Science / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globalisation has changed markets significantly. In order to maintain and improve competitiveness it is generally agreed among executives that the quality of products and services is essential (Omachonu & Ross, 1994: iii). In order to strive for higher quality, organisations have chosen different paths to achieve this goal. Several years ago one of the most discussed topics was the DIN EN 9001 certification. Thousands of organisations have taken this step towards quality management and are certified today. The DIN EN 9001 became the global standard, and there are markets where companies are not able to operate without this certification anymore. Some companies have profited greatly from the introduction of ISO 9000, because for the first time a quality management system (QMS) was introduced. It initiated significant restructuring programs. Consequently, processes were streamlined and organisations became more transparent. But many companies still do not “live” the concept, but instead and only show relevant paperwork to the external certification body in order to obtain the certificate. Even more particularly companies, which live the QMS face the question of which concepts are suitable to not only further improve quality and productivity but also to generate long-term sustainable business success. For these companies Total Quality Management (TQM) can be a very promising concept. Although the concept of TQM already dates back several decades it became very popular recently. TQM is a concept that puts quality in the centre of all aspects. Its principles encompass the involvement of all employees, and it strives for long-term customer satisfaction. TQM is based on continuous improvement and focuses on sustainable achievements. The objectives of this approach are not only long-term business success but also benefits for the individual employees and the society. Therefore TQM can be considered as one of the most far-reaching quality concepts existing today. The Fliess Company is a medium sized production company for welding wires. In 2001 Fliess introduced the IS0 9001: 2000. It has taken the company several years to fully live the QMS, after it mainly introduced it only to satisfy customers’ requirements of the certification. Today the processes are aligned in accordance with ISO 9001: 2000 and the company lives the QMS. But as a producer of very specialised premium products, management realised that it needed continuing on in order to maintain the competitive advantage. Therefore Fliess is busy at present implementing TQM. There are various areas of applying TQM at Fliess. The main focus lies on further improving customer satisfaction through continuous improvement and special attention is paid to the involvement of the individual employee. But TQM needs to be implemented in a very careful way to prevent a failure. Organisational changes must be supervised closely by top management. If top management is not fully committed and does not fully support the implementation in both the short and long term it can be very frustrating for the employees, and the implementation will not only fail but might even have negative effects, too. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Globalisasie het markte geweldig verander. Ten einde kompeterendheid te behou en te bevorder is bestuurders dit eens dat hoë kwaliteit van produkte en dienste noodsaaklik is (Omachonu & Ross, 1994: iii). Maatskappye volg verskillende roetes in die strewe na hoë kwaliteit, en hierdie ondersoek fokus op hoofkonsepte rakende kwaliteit en kwaliteitsbestuur. ’n Tydjie terug was die bespreking van “sertifisering” hoog op die agenda van enige kwaliteitsforum. Maatskappye het groot baat gevind met die bekendstelling van ISO 9000, waar daar vir die eerste keer ’n kwaliteitsbestuur program ingestel is. Dit het tot grootskaalse maatskappy verandering en proses herstrukturering gelei, en maatskappye in geheel het meer deursigtig geword. Duisende maatskappye het die stap geneem en is vandag gesertifiseer. Die DIN EN ISO 9000 het die globale standaard geword, en daar is markte waar maatskappye sonder diè sertifisering nie langer besigheid kan beoefen nie. Daar is egter steeds maatskappye wat nie regtig die stelsel “uitleef” nie, maar bloot sertifisering soek omdat kliënte dit vereis – nie omdat hulle self dit wil toepas nie. Selfs maatskappye wat die stelsels ten volle inkorporeer het staan egter voor die uitdaging van hoe hulle kwaliteit verder kan verbeter en op langtermyn ’n suksesvolle onderneming kan verseker. Vir baie van die maatskappye is Totale Kwaliteitbestuur (Total Quality Management - TQM) ’n belowende konsep. Alhoewel TQM konsepte reeds ’n hele aantal jare terug ontwikkel is, geniet dit huidiglik ’n nuwe oplewing. TQM plaas kwaliteit in die middelpunt van aktiwiteite, insluitende die volledige betrekking van werknemers en langtermyn kliënte tevredenheid. TQM is gebaseer op kontinue verbetering en fokus op volhoubaarheid. Die doelwitte sluit nie net langtermyn besigheidsukses in nie, maar ook voordele vir individuele werknemers en die samelewing in geheel. Dus kan TQM gesien word as een van die mees omvattende kwaliteitskonsepte wat huidiglik bestaan. Die ontwikkeling en toepassing van die konsepte soos bo beskryf word in hierdie verslag voorgestel en uitgelig aan die hand van die Fliess Maatskappy, ’n medium grootte vervaardigingsmaatskappy van sweisdrade. In 2001 het Fliess die ISO 9001:2000 standaard begin implementeer. Dit het ’n hele aantal jare geneem voordat die stelsel volledig benut is, nadat dit aanvanklik bloot op grond van kliëntevereistes ingestel is. Vandag kan daar met trots gesê word dat alle prosesse in lyn is met die sertifiseringsvereistes, en die maatskappy “lewe” die ISO 9001:2000 standaard. Bestuur besef egter die noodsaaklikheid om verder te ontwikkel en aan te pas in die hoogs kompeterende omgewing ten einde hulle kompeterende voordeel nie net te behou nie maar uit te bou. Daarom is Fliess besig om TQM beginsels verder uit te brei en in verskillende areas te implementeer om sodoende kliënte tevredenheid te verhoog – dit word gedoen deur veral deurlopende verbetering en die betrokkenheid van elke individuele werknemer.

The research sought to investigate the Critical Excellence Factors (CEFs) that drive Excellence in banking industry. Moreover, it examines whether customers perceive the service of an excellent bank differently from a less-excellent bank. Three hypotheses were formed then tested through case study and survey strategy (triangulation), within the Saudi banking industry context. The study combines the EFQM excellence model as an internal assessment tool (case studies), with the SERVQUAL gap model for external assessment (questionnaires). Analysing and contrasting the two sets of results allowed the study to achieve its main objective. Based on the empirical work, the study identifies several CEFs that must be carefully considered when driving excellence in banking. These factors were proposed in a generic integrated model for driving Excellence in Banking.

Flooding is a global challenge that has plagued mankind throughout history, affecting over 164 million people worldwide in 2007 alone. As the frequency of flooding increases in England and Wales coupled with an increase in the number of properties at risk of flooding and the attendant huge (insured) economic costs of flooding, the services received by homeowners during flood damage repair works, have not been spared criticism, Both the Welsh Consumer Council report and the Warwickshire Trading Standards report raised serious questions about the level of service in insurance claims for the repair of flood-damaged domestic property. This research project was therefore aimed at investigating the level of service quality and determinants of homeowners’ satisfaction in England and Wales with respect to flood damage repair works during insurance claims. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on customers’ needs, satisfaction and service quality, flooding and related issues, and the repair of flood damaged domestic property, in order to set the framework for the research and shape the development of the research questions/hypotheses. The study employed a two-phased sequential mixed methods approach, commencing with 20 in-depth interviews with homeowners, repairers, insurers and loss adjusters. Findings from the initial exploratory study (and from the literature review) informed the development of a questionnaire instrument, which incorporated elements of SERVQUAL, the generic service quality measurement instrument. Survey data were collected for the quantitative phase of the study from a sample of 126 homeowners, which was then analysed to test the hypotheses put forward in the study. The data did not yield a set of reliable and interpretable factors of service quality from the three service quality scales used to measure homeowners’ perceptions of the performance of insurers, loss adjusters and contractors. However, of the three key service providers, the contractor’s performance was the best predictor of homeowners’ overall satisfaction during flood damage reinstatement claims, accounting for seven times the combined unique contribution of insurance and loss adjusting firms. In addition, satisfaction levels were significantly different for homeowners whose claims for repair works were completed within six months compared to those repairs exceeded twelve months. The thesis concludes with implications of the findings for practice as well as recommendations for further research. It is argued that knowledge of the determinants of homeowners’ satisfaction with services during the repair of flood damaged property, is beneficial not only to insurers, loss adjusters and repairers but to homeowners as well.

People play a major role in the marketing of services, due to the fact services are intangible, and customers look for ways to determine the quality of services. Since services differ from physical goods, service providers need to understand how they affect their organizations. Furthermore, the criterion for satisfaction is different and the customer participates in the process, hence the interest to study this more thoroughly.

在全球化浪潮的影響下，世界各國紛紛開始注意到「文化延續」的重要性，使得如何保存在地文化成為各國必須面臨的課題之一，創意產業與流行文化於是成為各國首推發展的產業。台北啤酒文化園區身為啤酒產業的發源地，奠定了台北啤酒文化園區於文化創意產業中所具有之重要性，但一項成功創意產業必須有賴於適當的經營方式，才能獲得消費者的支持與肯定。故本研究結合Schmitt之「體驗行銷」理論進行實證研究，根據「體驗行銷」、「生活型態」、「顧客滿意度」以及「品牌忠誠度」等理論基礎發展觀念性研究架構及問卷，研究目的在探討消費者的人口統計變項與生活型態對台北啤酒文化園區策略體驗模組、 顧客滿意度、品牌忠誠度的之影響，並分析策略體驗模組對於台北啤酒文化園區消費者之顧客滿意度、品牌忠誠度的關係。研究調查共回收樣本330份，有效樣本為297份。研究主要發現為：（1）不同人口統計變項與生活型態消費者對策略體驗模組感受有部份差異。（2）不同人口統計變項與生活型態消費者在顧客滿意度、品牌忠誠度有部份差異。（3）策略體驗模組與顧客滿意度、品牌忠誠度具中度相關及解釋力。最後，本研究對業界與未來的研究者提出適當的行銷策略與研究上的建議。 / In the trend of Globalization, the characteristics of local culture have become more and more important. The development of cultural creativity industry is thought to be the most important factor of national economy development and the promotion of quality of life. There are many countries that are starting to pay attention to how to preserve local culture. This study is aimed at the cultural creative industry, hoping the basic background and uniqueness of local culture in Taiwan can be understood through the characteristics of local culture. “Taipei Brewery” is the birthplace of Taiwan beer's local culture, so this study took “Taipei Brewery” as a case study. This thesis is based on the theory of "Experiential Marketing" built by Schmitt(1999),to proceed to a concrete investigation on the influence of SEMs(strategies of experiential modules) on Taipei Brewery's customers. The conceptual framework of this research is based on a literature review of the “Experiential Marketing”, “Life Style”, “Customer Satisfaction” and “Brand Loyalty”. This research uses a questionnaire to survey the customers of “Taipei Brewery”. The statistical package for the social science (SPSS12.0) system was utilized for the Descriptive statistics analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation, T-test match-pair, one-way ANOVA, Regression Analysis, Scheffe multiple comparisons, and a Cronbach α.. In total, 297effective questionnaires out of 330 were collected, and the effective response rate was 90.303%. The findings of this research are as follows: （1）The different demographic variables and lifestyles of consumers have a significant contrast between strategies of experiential modules. （2）The different demographic variables and lifestyles of consumers have a significant contrast between customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. （3）There is a positive correlation between strategies of experiential modules, customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Finally, according to the results of the study we came up with a connotation for the theories and actual situations in running a business.