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The continued growth of the UK dining out industry, and the unceasing trend in popularity for customers to spend time and money eating outside the home, has led to an increase in the number of dining out establishments, and competition between businesses. Although there have been studies examining aspects of the restaurant industry and food consumption outside the home, very little research has looked specifically at customer expectations. Therefore, this thesis examines customer expectations associated with the meal experience in relation to the varying costs of dining out opportunities. In addition, the study reflects on customers’ socio-economic characteristics combined with their perception of differing anticipated costs in order to provide customer typologies, each with varying expectations of the dining out experience. It is intended that by focussing on and amalgamating the areas of expectation, cost and socio-economic factors, the conclusions obtained will contribute to a new understanding relating to customer expectations. The study invited e-subscribers of Delicious Magazine’s national website, to participate in quantitative research regarding both expectations of dining out and social factors. By examining the data from a large cohort study (2200 participants) evidence of behavioural patterns and opinions has emerged. The research established that there are four types of customer that can be identified through their initial choice of restaurant owing to the restaurant’s perceived cost classification. Each customer group identified, not only has overarching expectations of the dining out experience, but through identifying socio-economic characteristics of each group, it is also possible to have insight into their collective behaviours. The original contribution outputs that have been generated from the research are a practical typology and a theoretical model. Although dining out establishments are facing pressure from the emergence of increasing numbers of competitors and the current economic climate, it has been established, through the research, that, in particular, restaurants often bestow little attention on customer requirements, instead ‘food’, ‘aesthetics’ and ‘staff’ often take precedence. However, aspects relating directly to customers, such as, ‘repeat business’ and ‘positive word of mouth’ are core components to a hospitality organisation’s success. Understanding customers further can only enhance and provide structure and direction for restaurant businesses. Therefore, implementing the practical customer typology could focus a restaurant business on considering their customer group and their anticipated requirements. This research is a foundation into an original combined study area and has induced further research concepts that may also encourage other academics to embark on this area of study. This research may then develop as a subject field and cascade into understandings that could be beneficial to the hospitality industry.

This study investigated demographic characteristics of 240 Chamber of Commerce members in terms of their expectations for customer service in hotels. Subjects reported their age, gender, marital status, race, educational level, income level and ethnicity, and completed a 26-item questionnaire which measured expectations for customer service. Principal components analysis was used to reduce the 26 items to five dimensions of service quality, and multivariate analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effect of the demographic variables on those dimensions. Gender of the customer was found to have a significant effect on the combined dimensions of service quality; other variables were not significant.

Technology is moving forward, as well as the problem with the fast fashion industry. Hence, second hand online shopping is growing because of this. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to explain the impacts of perceived quality, customer expectations and trust on customer satisfaction in online second hand shopping? To be able to conduct this research, the theoretical framework includes the dependent variable Customer satisfaction and the three independent variables, perceived quality, customer expectations and trust. These variables led to three hypotheses created by the authors. Through a deductive approach and within quantitative research a questionnaire was made to gather data that was published on social media platforms. The data was collected through convenience sampling within the population chosen. However, both ethical and societal issues have been taken into account while doing the questionnaire and conducting the data. The collected data was runned through SPSS to create statistical models and test the three hypotheses created. Thereafter it could be seen that hypothesis 1 was accepted and hypotheses 2 and 3 were rejected. This concluded that only perceived quality has a positive effect on customer satisfaction in a second hand online shopping context.

Sammanfattning Kurs/Nivå:                   2EB01E, Kandidatuppsats Författare:                   Musliu, Rinor Handledare:                 Devine, Åsa Examinator:                Bill, Frederic Titel:                              Otydligt, tydligt eller underförstått? – En kvalitativ undersökning om kundförväntningar av reklam och direktreklam på sociala medier Nyckelord:                   Kundförväntningar, typer av kundförväntningar, marknadsföring, reklam, direktreklam och sociala medier Bakgrund:                   Kunder utsätts främst utav reklam och direkt reklam på sociala medier. Förutom den ”vanliga reklamen” på sociala medier finns även en ny form av direkt reklam. Eftersom företag har större tillgänglighet till information, kan de lättare rikta reklamen mot målgrupperna och på så sätt uppnå tillfredställelse. Det är dock viktigt för företag att ha kunskap om kundförväntningarna för att kunna möta dem. Det finns tre olika typer utav förväntningar och att ha kunskap om vilken kunder förväntar sig är viktigt för företag för att skapa långvariga relationer med sina kunder. Frågeställning:            Vilka typer av förväntningar har kunder på reklam och direkt reklam via sociala medier? Syfte:                            Syftet med rapporten är att beskriva vilka typer av förväntningar kunder har på reklam och direktreklam i sociala medier. Metod:                          En kvalitativ undersökning (deduktiv ansats) med hjälp utav fokusgrupper. Rapportens insamlade data har analyserats med hjälp utav en innehållsanalys. Slutsats:                       Analysen resulterade i att kundförväntningarna är olika beroende på vad för reklam som visades på sociala medier. Kunder hade tydliga förväntningar på reklam för högengagemangsprodukter, okända högengagemangsprodukter och på direktreklam. Förväntningarna var otydliga på reklam för lågengagemangsprodukter, reklam för kända och okända lågengagemangsprodukter. Förväntningarna var underförstådda på reklam för kända högengagemangsprodukter. / Abstract Course/Level:            2EB01E, Bachelor Thesis Author:                        Musliu, Rinor Tutor:                           Devine, Åsa Examiner:                   Bill, Frederic Title:                             Unclear, clear or implied? – A qualitative research about   customer expectations of advertising and direct advertising on social media Keywords:                  Customer expectations, types of customer expectations, marketing, advertising, direct advertising and social media. Background:              Customers are mainly exposed to advertising and direct    advertising on social media. Except the “normal advertising” on social media, there is a new form of direct advertising. Because companies have a greater access to customer information, they can easier aim their advertising and by doing so reach customer satisfaction. It is important for companies to have knowledge about the customers’ expectations to reach customer satisfaction. There are three types of customer expectations and knowing which type of expectations the customers have is important for companies to build long lasting relationships with their customers. Research question:    What type of expectations do customers have on advertising and direct advertising on social media? Purpose:                       The purpose is to describe what type of expectations customers have on advertising and direct advertising on social media Methodology:              A qualitative research (deductive approach) using focus groups. The empirics of the report have been analyzed with a content analysis. Conclusion:                  The analysis resulted that the customer expectations were different depending on what type of advertising was shown on social media. The customers had clear expectations on advertising of high involvement products, unknown high involvement products and on direct advertising. The expectations were unclear on advertising of low involvement products, advertising for known and unknown low involvement products. The expectations were implied on advertising for known high involvement products.

The aim of this study is to identify the best practices in traditional and electronic banking operations strategy in Jordan as a case study of developing economies over the period 1999 to 2008. During this period numerous changes faced banks in Jordan: new banking law was launched, the banks were directed towards complying with the Basel Accord II, and the banks adopted more e-banking channels. Only the practices of all local banks were investigated due to their superior performance. A number of questionnaires were used to collect the data from different individuals in these banks. Further, annual reports were analysed and websites were reviewed. Two data-analysis approaches were used to identify the key strategies of traditional and electronic banking in Jordan: competitive position analysis and cluster analysis. Analysis revealed eight best practices of traditional banking and four best practices of electronic banking were adopted. Best practices are presented as prediction models. These models combine actions with capabilities and performance. The traditional banking predication models are: branches urban accessibility, branches sites accessibility (percentage of sites covered), branches sites accessibility (number of branches sites covered), account transaction time, new credit product flexibility, account customer waiting time, account transaction cost, loan approval costs, and branches layout quality. The e-banking prediction models are: Internet banking transaction time, telephone banking volume flexibility, ATM suburban accessibility, and ATM sites accessibility. This research revealed that; financial performance achieved by e-banking strategy patterns is significantly lower than traditional banking. Also customers satisfaction, retention, and deposit market of e-banking are significantly lower than traditional banking, which indicates that the best operational practices in Jordan are still more traditional oriented despite the significant direction of banks in Jordan toward adopting e-banking channel.

One of the major challenges facing service businesses today is the rapidly changing and highly competitive nature of service industries. As a result, customer expectations are also rising quickly. Increased competition in this regard has resulted in fitness facilities in particular aiming to improve their services in order for these businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By improving their services, fitness facilities can better satisfy the needs of their members. Therefore, fitness facilities need to identify those service elements which are important to their members in order to satisfy members' service needs by improving the quality of services delivered. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether customers of fitness facilities in the North West Province are satisfied with the services that are provided by these facilities. The research study on fitness facilities was based on descriptive research in order to allow for the identification of service elements that are important to members of fitness facilities. During the course of the study, secondary data was used for the literature review in order to investigate the research problem through the use of publications such as books and reliable academic and research articles. A quantitative research design was used in the form of self–administered questionnaires with a view to determine the level of customer satisfaction as well as the desires, perceptions and expectations of members regarding fitness facilities. Pre–testing of the questionnaire was also performed during this study to ensure that the collection and analysis of data would proceed as smoothly as possible. Self–administered questionnaires were distributed to members of fitness facilities from the 17th of May to the 26th of May 2010 by three fieldworkers in the cities of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North West Province. A convenience sampling method was used, which implied that respondents who were readily available and willing to complete the questionnaire at selected fitness facilities were selected for participation in the study. Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis was used to identify those service elements which are important to members of fitness facilities. Ten factors were identified, namely personnel professionalism, equipment condition, membership possibilities, fitness programmes, convenience issues, medical assistance, cleanliness, information availability, membership preferences and the opportunity to exercise in another town. The results indicated that differences exist in terms of respondents' gender, levels of education as well as differences between various age groups and the ten identified importance factors. Results also showed that customer satisfaction can influence customer behaviour, as satisfied customers would recommend the fitness facility to others and want to have a long–term relationship with the fitness facility. It is recommended that fitness facilities need to focus on those service elements that members view as important when planning and maintaining their service offerings. Furthermore, fitness facilities need to realise that all their members do not view the importance of service elements in the same way, and therefore they should deliver services specifically tailored to various age groups, levels of education and gender. Recommendations for future research include that a similar study can be conducted for individual fitness facilities, because fitness facilities are unique and have different capabilities to deliver services. When conducting a study for each individual fitness facility, a relevant comparison can be made between the services that the specific fitness facility offers and what the members of that fitness facility really want or view as important. Specific strategies can then be recommended to the individual fitness facility with a view to improve their service offering and concomitantly increase their member satisfaction. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

One of the major challenges facing service businesses today is the rapidly changing and highly competitive nature of service industries. As a result, customer expectations are also rising quickly. Increased competition in this regard has resulted in fitness facilities in particular aiming to improve their services in order for these businesses to differentiate themselves from their competitors. By improving their services, fitness facilities can better satisfy the needs of their members. Therefore, fitness facilities need to identify those service elements which are important to their members in order to satisfy members' service needs by improving the quality of services delivered. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether customers of fitness facilities in the North West Province are satisfied with the services that are provided by these facilities. The research study on fitness facilities was based on descriptive research in order to allow for the identification of service elements that are important to members of fitness facilities. During the course of the study, secondary data was used for the literature review in order to investigate the research problem through the use of publications such as books and reliable academic and research articles. A quantitative research design was used in the form of self–administered questionnaires with a view to determine the level of customer satisfaction as well as the desires, perceptions and expectations of members regarding fitness facilities. Pre–testing of the questionnaire was also performed during this study to ensure that the collection and analysis of data would proceed as smoothly as possible. Self–administered questionnaires were distributed to members of fitness facilities from the 17th of May to the 26th of May 2010 by three fieldworkers in the cities of Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North West Province. A convenience sampling method was used, which implied that respondents who were readily available and willing to complete the questionnaire at selected fitness facilities were selected for participation in the study. Furthermore, an exploratory factor analysis was used to identify those service elements which are important to members of fitness facilities. Ten factors were identified, namely personnel professionalism, equipment condition, membership possibilities, fitness programmes, convenience issues, medical assistance, cleanliness, information availability, membership preferences and the opportunity to exercise in another town. The results indicated that differences exist in terms of respondents' gender, levels of education as well as differences between various age groups and the ten identified importance factors. Results also showed that customer satisfaction can influence customer behaviour, as satisfied customers would recommend the fitness facility to others and want to have a long–term relationship with the fitness facility. It is recommended that fitness facilities need to focus on those service elements that members view as important when planning and maintaining their service offerings. Furthermore, fitness facilities need to realise that all their members do not view the importance of service elements in the same way, and therefore they should deliver services specifically tailored to various age groups, levels of education and gender. Recommendations for future research include that a similar study can be conducted for individual fitness facilities, because fitness facilities are unique and have different capabilities to deliver services. When conducting a study for each individual fitness facility, a relevant comparison can be made between the services that the specific fitness facility offers and what the members of that fitness facility really want or view as important. Specific strategies can then be recommended to the individual fitness facility with a view to improve their service offering and concomitantly increase their member satisfaction. / Thesis (M.Com. (Marketing Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The goal of this theisis is a strategic analysis firm Pension Ametyst, namely the analysis of external and competitive environment, finding a competitive position in the market analysis and customer expectations. The practical outcome of this thesis is to outline the future strategy of the company and operational measures to help achieve the proposed strategy and improve the overall situation of the firm.

Background: As the result of the constant business evolution and in addition to the 2020 worldwide sanitary crisis, online services demand has significantly increased. Shifting from a physical-based customer experience to an online customer-focused service providing. Multiple studies investigated the online customer experience and customer expectations related to the products industry. However, there seems to have a lack of recent research focusing on online customer experience in service settings. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyse the customer experience in online service settings, focusing on the food delivery sector in France. The aim is to highlight a customer expectations gap between the customer expected service and the actual perceived service provided by the company. To fulfil this purpose, three research questions have been established. The authors aim to provide a new conceptual model to contribute to the theory. Method: For the purpose of this study, the research philosophy adopted key elements of interpretivism. A qualitative research design is used, combined with an exploratory case study method. Data were collected through 8 semi-structured interviews using a purposive sampling method and were analysed inductively.   Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the customer expectations gap in the online food service delivery, focusing in UberEats case study, is built upon two main factors: the customer expectations design and the online process, together enabling service improvements identification. The authors have thereby designed a new conceptual model in order to provide online food service providers such as UberEats sustainable solutions to reduce the customer expectations gap while using their app.  Keywords: Customer Experience, Customer Expectations, Customer Expectations Gap, Service Quality, Food Delivery Sector, UberEats