A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / Advances in electronic service technology have created great opportunities as well as threats to organizations in various business and services sectors. As such businesses, either willingly or reluctantly, are increasingly embracing the Internet as distribution channel in order to remain competitive or gain market share. With particular reference to e-services, absence of accurate information on factors that have influenced user’s behaviour to adopt or use e-services could mislead an organization into adopting unhelpful solutions as it strives to accelerate the implementation of e-services. The study is undertaken by a student who lives in the heart of a rural community in South Africa and also attends a University which is based in a rural settlement. This study, based on the perceptions of rural communities on the safety of e-commerce transactions, investigates factors that influence adoption and usage of e-service, especially, in eNkandla rural communities. Factors were empirically tested against data collected from four hundred participants using survey questionnaires. Perceived complexity was found to be the most significantly related factor affecting e-service adoption in rural communities of eNkandla, followed in turn by privacy and compatibility. Quality of the Internet and its relative advantage also had a notable effect on e-service usage and adoption in eNkandla rural communities.

Electronic service quality (ESQ) and customer orientation (CO) have become key tools to succeed in the competitive marketplace. Thus, the purpose of this research was to study how CO as perceived by the customers impacts their perception about the firm’s ESQ and to study the impact of this perceived ESQ on the outcomes at the customer level. There has been minimal research conducted on the components of ESQ in the fitness industry. Therefore, this research was focused on fitness firms wherein the participants for this study were the everyday gym goers. A quantitative survey was conducted in order to collect the data, and regression analysis was used to test the validity of the proposed model. The findings showed that there is a positive relationship between perceived CO and perceived ESQ, and a positive relationship between perceived ESQ and customer level outcomes such as customer satisfaction, customer trust and word-of-mouth.

In recent years, the internet shopping development is quite developed, what every shopping website developed is quite ripe too, and 3C products occupy sizable rates in the internet shopping. So I want to study that 3C shopping website influences factor that influencing consumers¡¦ will to use the internet shopping. This research base on demography and knowledge about 3C products to create the cause-effect model of electronic service convenient, electronic service quality, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention. Through statistics software, probe into the relationship, electronic service convenient, electronic service quality, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention in the internet. In order to have close look to on customer needs is essential. Overall, the entire model fit is acceptable. It is pointed that the whole theory model of this study completes the standard of the fit test. To sum up, the results shows the indeed influential relationship among the four concepts.The customer satisfaction is the most important factor that negative effect purchase intention in the entire model. The second factor is electronic service quality. And electronic service convenient only leads a positive effect on purchase intention via electronic service quality and customer satisfaction. However, the effect is very small.

This research provides the first thorough investigation into, and analysis of, the literature on e-government metrics and has opened up the topic and literature to the practitioner community. The research focuses on English local government, in response to what the researcher had experienced as haphazard implementation of e-government. Supplementary explorations included official and unofficial reasons for the adoption of e-government, along with the role of politics and Politics – local, national and international. Until this research, the main focus for e-government measurement had been on targets or large and complex analyses suitable only for central government. Instead, this research proposes parsimonious measurement. Such measurement, reliant upon collating citizen feedback across delivery channels, will assist improvement to services and assist channel migration. This had never been examined before. Since the subject of the research was electronic government, an action research methodology was employed, using electronic research instruments to deliver surveys, provide survey results and to house research models and background. The researcher is a practitioner within the field, so the instruments were designed to cross-fertilize the academic and practitioner thinking on the subject. It is expected that the research tool, in the form of the weblog, will continue (in the longer term) to assist professionals in debating the use of metrics. Ongoing research will continue to stretch across the academic and practitioner boundaries. This research makes original contributions to knowledge by revealing the most appropriate mechanism for the management and use of e-government, amongst other mechanisms for service delivery in the public sector, especially considering smaller authorities.

Apesar de a qualidade ser considerada um dos principais determinantes da sobrevivência e prosperidade de prestadores de serviços via internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), existem muitas divergênciasna literatura a respeito da conceptualização, composição e consequências desse construto. A fim de ajudar no preenchimento dessa lacuna, este trabalho integrou os resultados quantitativos de 87 amostras independentes, reportados em 74 estudos (=35935), em um modelo metanalítico dos fatores da qualidade dos serviços prestados via internet (QSEI). Utilizando Rust e Oliver (1994) como referência teórica, os 10 fatores encontrados na literatura com frequência suficiente para análise (≥4) foram agrupados em 3 dimensões (qualidade do ambiente, do processo e do resultado) e associados à qualidade geral percebida, satisfação do cliente e intenção comportamental.Das 30 relações propostas, 25 alcançaram o ponto de corte estipulado (≥4) e puderam ser analisadas por meio da metanálise, quando se constatou que as relações eram significantes ao nível de 5%, bem como eram robustas no que diz respeito ao fail safe N. Com relação à magnitude dos efeitos observados, encontrou-se que o benefício funcional possui o maior efeito sobre a satisfação do cliente e a intenção comportamental, enquanto que a qualidade da informação possui o maior efeito sobre a qualidade geral percebida. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. Além disso, o benefício emocional, o benefício funcional e a confiabilidade estão entre os quatro fatores com maior efeito sobre a intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as intenções de comportamento do consumidor online são mais influenciadas pelos fatores associados ao final da experiência (dimensão qualidade do resultado). / Although quality has been recognizedas a major determinant of long-term performance and success for service providers on the internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), there are many divergences in the literature regarding the conceptualization, dimensionality and consequences of this construct. In order to help to fill this gap, it was integrated the quantitative results of 87 independent samples reported in 74 studies (N = 35935) in a meta-analytic model of service quality delivered through the Internet. Using Rust and Oliver (1994) as theoretical framework, the 10 factors found in the literature were grouped into 3 dimensions (environmental, process, and outcome quality) and associated to perceived quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intention. Thirty relationships were proposed, but only 25 of them reached the cutoff point (≥4)and were analyzed through the meta-analysis. These 25 relationships are significant at the 5% level and robust with regard to the fail safe N.The results indicate that the information quality is the most influential factor on the overall perceived quality, while the functional benefit is the most influential factor both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention. The functional benefit effect both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention is greater than that of emotional benefit, suggesting that the customer ratings are more cognitive than emotional in electronic contexts. Furthermore, the behavioral intention is most influenced by the outcome dimension factors (emotional benefit, functional benefit, and the reliability), demonstrating that the end of experience is very important for consumers at the internet.

Apesar de a qualidade ser considerada um dos principais determinantes da sobrevivência e prosperidade de prestadores de serviços via internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), existem muitas divergênciasna literatura a respeito da conceptualização, composição e consequências desse construto. A fim de ajudar no preenchimento dessa lacuna, este trabalho integrou os resultados quantitativos de 87 amostras independentes, reportados em 74 estudos (=35935), em um modelo metanalítico dos fatores da qualidade dos serviços prestados via internet (QSEI). Utilizando Rust e Oliver (1994) como referência teórica, os 10 fatores encontrados na literatura com frequência suficiente para análise (≥4) foram agrupados em 3 dimensões (qualidade do ambiente, do processo e do resultado) e associados à qualidade geral percebida, satisfação do cliente e intenção comportamental.Das 30 relações propostas, 25 alcançaram o ponto de corte estipulado (≥4) e puderam ser analisadas por meio da metanálise, quando se constatou que as relações eram significantes ao nível de 5%, bem como eram robustas no que diz respeito ao fail safe N. Com relação à magnitude dos efeitos observados, encontrou-se que o benefício funcional possui o maior efeito sobre a satisfação do cliente e a intenção comportamental, enquanto que a qualidade da informação possui o maior efeito sobre a qualidade geral percebida. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. Além disso, o benefício emocional, o benefício funcional e a confiabilidade estão entre os quatro fatores com maior efeito sobre a intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as intenções de comportamento do consumidor online são mais influenciadas pelos fatores associados ao final da experiência (dimensão qualidade do resultado). / Although quality has been recognizedas a major determinant of long-term performance and success for service providers on the internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), there are many divergences in the literature regarding the conceptualization, dimensionality and consequences of this construct. In order to help to fill this gap, it was integrated the quantitative results of 87 independent samples reported in 74 studies (N = 35935) in a meta-analytic model of service quality delivered through the Internet. Using Rust and Oliver (1994) as theoretical framework, the 10 factors found in the literature were grouped into 3 dimensions (environmental, process, and outcome quality) and associated to perceived quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intention. Thirty relationships were proposed, but only 25 of them reached the cutoff point (≥4)and were analyzed through the meta-analysis. These 25 relationships are significant at the 5% level and robust with regard to the fail safe N.The results indicate that the information quality is the most influential factor on the overall perceived quality, while the functional benefit is the most influential factor both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention. The functional benefit effect both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention is greater than that of emotional benefit, suggesting that the customer ratings are more cognitive than emotional in electronic contexts. Furthermore, the behavioral intention is most influenced by the outcome dimension factors (emotional benefit, functional benefit, and the reliability), demonstrating that the end of experience is very important for consumers at the internet.

Apesar de a qualidade ser considerada um dos principais determinantes da sobrevivência e prosperidade de prestadores de serviços via internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), existem muitas divergênciasna literatura a respeito da conceptualização, composição e consequências desse construto. A fim de ajudar no preenchimento dessa lacuna, este trabalho integrou os resultados quantitativos de 87 amostras independentes, reportados em 74 estudos (=35935), em um modelo metanalítico dos fatores da qualidade dos serviços prestados via internet (QSEI). Utilizando Rust e Oliver (1994) como referência teórica, os 10 fatores encontrados na literatura com frequência suficiente para análise (≥4) foram agrupados em 3 dimensões (qualidade do ambiente, do processo e do resultado) e associados à qualidade geral percebida, satisfação do cliente e intenção comportamental.Das 30 relações propostas, 25 alcançaram o ponto de corte estipulado (≥4) e puderam ser analisadas por meio da metanálise, quando se constatou que as relações eram significantes ao nível de 5%, bem como eram robustas no que diz respeito ao fail safe N. Com relação à magnitude dos efeitos observados, encontrou-se que o benefício funcional possui o maior efeito sobre a satisfação do cliente e a intenção comportamental, enquanto que a qualidade da informação possui o maior efeito sobre a qualidade geral percebida. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. O efeito do benefício funcional é maior do que o do benefício emocional tanto na satisfação do cliente quanto na intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as avaliações do cliente são mais cognitivas do que emocionais em contextos eletrônicos. Além disso, o benefício emocional, o benefício funcional e a confiabilidade estão entre os quatro fatores com maior efeito sobre a intenção comportamental, sugerindo que as intenções de comportamento do consumidor online são mais influenciadas pelos fatores associados ao final da experiência (dimensão qualidade do resultado). / Although quality has been recognizedas a major determinant of long-term performance and success for service providers on the internet (eg, ZEITHAML; PARASURAMAM; MALHOTRA, 2000, 2002), there are many divergences in the literature regarding the conceptualization, dimensionality and consequences of this construct. In order to help to fill this gap, it was integrated the quantitative results of 87 independent samples reported in 74 studies (N = 35935) in a meta-analytic model of service quality delivered through the Internet. Using Rust and Oliver (1994) as theoretical framework, the 10 factors found in the literature were grouped into 3 dimensions (environmental, process, and outcome quality) and associated to perceived quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intention. Thirty relationships were proposed, but only 25 of them reached the cutoff point (≥4)and were analyzed through the meta-analysis. These 25 relationships are significant at the 5% level and robust with regard to the fail safe N.The results indicate that the information quality is the most influential factor on the overall perceived quality, while the functional benefit is the most influential factor both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention. The functional benefit effect both on the customer satisfaction and behavioral intention is greater than that of emotional benefit, suggesting that the customer ratings are more cognitive than emotional in electronic contexts. Furthermore, the behavioral intention is most influenced by the outcome dimension factors (emotional benefit, functional benefit, and the reliability), demonstrating that the end of experience is very important for consumers at the internet.

Magister Legum - LLM / The digital economy has over the past years developed at a dramatic pace, generating substantial revenues for entities and individuals trading on this platform. This has fuelled vast interest and debate into whether such activity should be taxed. After the turn of the millennium, a lot of research on taxing the digital economy was done, but this was mostly in America and Europe. In South Africa, very little research has been done, most of which was conducted before the enactment of new pieces of legislation regulating digital tax. This study analyses how the South African digital tax framework interlinks with global tax principles. More specifically, the study seeks to clarify the legal and economic uncertainties surrounding the taxation of e-trade. The pertinent issues around this area will then be analysed in depth and potential solutions furnished. The Taxation Laws Amendment Act 21 of 2013 changed the position in South Africa in respect of the supply of electronic services. The definition of ‘enterprise’ was extended to include the supply of electronic services by a person or business outside South Africa, to a recipient in South Africa. Therefore, foreign enterprises could become liable to register as vendors in terms of s 23 of the Act, and become subject to VAT in terms of s 7 (1) (a) of the Value Added Tax Act 89 of 1991. Amongst other implications, the new regulations effectively shift the compliance burden from the local recipient to the foreign supplier in terms of the listed electronic services while at the same time creating compliance costs for the foreign supplier. The study builds on models adopted by other countries on the international scene. The United States and European countries have taken different paths on the matter compared to the one adopted by South Africa. The United States imposed a temporary moratorium on states levying certain taxes on Internet sales, while, on the other hand, the European Union levied different digital tax standards, which depend on whether or not the supplier is based in Europe. The research concludes that the majority of the problems surrounding the taxation of e-trade are not of a sovereign nature but rather of a multi-jurisdictional nature. The study recommends that at a global level, there is a need for the creation of: new e-tax rules in the WTO regime; a central registration portal; a third party collection and payment mechanism, an imbedded audit system in the portal; as well as built-in privacy mechanisms in order cure the existing shortcomings in taxing Internet transactions. For South Africa, the study suggests that the National Treasury create a timeline for the creation of a White Paper on the taxation of electronic commerce and the subsequent creation of more comprehensive Electronic Service Regulations within a reasonable period thereafter.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / In recent years, the South African online shopping industry has experienced remarkable growth which has attracted multi-national online stores to operate in the South African market thus creating competitive pressure for domestic online stores. Consequently, this presence of competition from well-resourced and recognisable online store brands it is critical that domestic online stores adopt measures to protect their competitive positions and to pursue competitive advantage. An adoption of a customer-centred approach focused on increasing customer satisfaction is one strategy for online stores to consider. This study had as its primary objective to develop a theoretical model of psychographic influences on customer satisfaction with electronic service quality. The associated objectives were to develop a theoretical model to (i) assess online shopping customers’ perceptions of electronic service quality, (ii) illustrate the effect of electronic service quality on customer satisfaction, (iii) measure the effect of customer satisfaction on customer behavioural intentions, and (iv) determine how customers’ perceptions of electronic service quality differ across different customer psychographic profiles. A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to address the research objectives. Data was collected through a questionnaire from a sample of 344 South African online store customers. Statistical descriptive and inferential analyses were performed including mean values, structural equation modelling and analysis of variance. The findings included that, i) customers have negative perceptions of electronic service quality in South African online stores, ii) the constructs of electronic service quality, efficiency and contact, have a significant positive effect on customer satisfaction, iii) customer satisfaction has a significant positive effect on customer behavioural intentions, and iv) a significant difference in the perceptions of electronic service quality was found to exist among customers with different psychological profiles. Based on the study findings it is recommended that South African online stores should improve electronic service quality and apply market segmentation on the basis of customer psychological profiles in order to gain competitive advantage.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-112).