The Internet as a new media has two distinct and powerful advantages: interactivity and data collection. The emergence of Web2.0 has taken advantage of these characteristics to provide a powerful platform for sharing opinions and communication in virtual communities. However, successfully managing a virtual community is the same as managing a company. The most important thing is to maintain a good relationship with its customers and retain loyal customers. Much previous research has reported that maintaining a good relationship with customers can produce long-term benefits to the organization. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether customer relationship and loyalty can be affected by the perceived interactivity of a website. We developed a research model and conducted an online survey on eight representative websites to collect data. The results show that there is no direct positive influence between the interactivity of a website and customer loyalty. However, significant indirect relationships exist. That is, the perceived interactivity of a website can affect the relationship quality, which will in turn affects customer loyalty. Relationship quality has a mediating effect between website interactivity and customer loyalty.

Over the course of the past few years, the rise of mainland China¡¦s harbors as well as the emerging harbors in other Asian countries have fueled competition in the international shipping industry and, has led to a dramatic increase in the total port capacity causing the transportation supply to exceed the demand. Such competition may destabilize a supplier¡¦s ability to maintain financial security and competitiveness. Therefore suppliers have devoted much energy and attention towards strategizing and marketing the shipping industry¡¦s future. For example, previous operations and management of the harbor was based primarily on traditional resource and product-oriented marketing. But contrary to popular methods, other successful international harbor operators have directed their operation towards the needs of container shipping companies. Therefore this study compiles the related literature and research and investigates the influences the association between the harbor operators and container shipping companies, and conducts research analysis via questionnaire survey. Through the model of functions of components influencing the quality of the relationship, this study investigated how harbor operators established solid relationship, trust, and commitment via direct and indirect customer channels and customer satisfaction when offering their services. This study also formulated strategies to better improve the loyalty of container shipping companies so that the harbor need not be replaced. This study used both factor analysis and regression analysis to verify the outcome of the function strategies of association on the relationship quality. The findings are as follows: 1.Both direct and indirect functions of relationship of association had significant influence on the aspects of the relationship quality. 2.The aspects of the relationship quality had direct relation as to whether a harbor operator could be easily replaced. 3.Based on the previously mentioned results, researchers tried to formulate, strategies for the harbor operator to improve on its relationship with container shipping companies giving them a competitive edge.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-101).

Thesis (M.A.)--Kent State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jan. 5, 2010). Advisor: Richard Serpe. Keywords: cell phone, cellular phone, relationship satisfaction, mode of communication, quality of communication, communication technology. Includes bibliographical references (p. 113-115).

Online shopping is becoming more popular in recent decades and there is certainly a variety ofvariables contributing to keeping customers interested in shopping online. Based on research inthe business-to-business setting we proposed four variables including security, communication,product and personalization that influence the relationship quality. The purpose of this study isto investigate whether these variables have impacts on business-to-consumer relationshipquality and explore their practical implications, and then suggest how companies enhance theircustomer relationship. The variables’ effects are empirically tested through regression analysiswith data obtained from questionnaire. The results show that four variables positively influencethe B2C relationship quality, but they have different effects in different companies.Additionally, we make practical recommendations by using Tmall and JD.com as case studies.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-89). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR19829

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2007. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-56). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR29270

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2010. / Document formatted into pages; contains x, 182 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 54-60). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss &rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR11908

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