När konkurrensen i olika branscher ökar blir goda kundrelationer allt viktigare, inte minst i revisionsbranschen som på senaste årtionden har präglats av stark konkurrens och mättnad. Revisionen i sig har börjat betraktas som alltmer oviktig och många klienter efterfrågar även tjänster som skapar mervärde. En bristande revisor-klientrelation har visats sig vara en nyckelfaktor till varför klienter väljer att byta revisor. Detta innebär att det är viktigt för revisorn att veta vad klienterna förväntar sig i relationen. Genom att känna till klienternas förväntningar ökar chanserna att kunna bemöta dessa. I vilken grad revisorn lever upp till klientens förväntningar påverkar även klientens uppfattning av tjänstekvaliteten.  Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för hur revisorer och klienter upplever skillnaden i förväntningarna på relationen. Genom tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med både revisorer och deras klienter har det påvisats att revisorerna generellt har en god uppfattning om vad klienter förväntar sig i relationen. Klienternas förväntningar varierar beroende på storleken på klientens bolag. Studien påvisar en tendens att ju större klientens bolag är, desto bättre uppfattning har klienterna kring revisorns roll och även motsvarande förväntningar. Trots att revisorerna verkar ha en god uppfattning om vad klienterna förväntar sig är det inte alltid de lever upp till dessa. Större bolag med egen redovisningskompetens förväntar sig inte särskilt mycket av revisorn, men prioriteras samtidigt högt av revisorerna på grund av deras storlek. Mindre bolag som förväntar sig mycket råd och stöttning av sin revisor kan bortprioriteras vid tidsbrist. / As competition in various industries increases, good customer relationships become increasingly important, not least in the auditing industry, which in recent decades has been characterized by strong competition and saturation. The audit itself has begun to be considered increasingly unimportant and many clients also demand services that create added value. A lack of an auditor-client relationship has proven to be a key factor in why clients choose to change auditors. This means that it is important for the auditor to know what the clients expect in the relationship. Knowing clients' expectations increases the chances of being able to meet them. The extent to which the auditor lives up to the client's expectations also affects the client's perception of the quality of service.The purpose of the study is to increase the understanding of how auditors and clients experience the difference in expectations of the relationship. Through ten semi-structured interviews with both auditors and their clients, it has been shown that the auditors generally have a good idea of ​​what clients expect in the relationship. Clients' expectations vary depending on the size of the client's company. The study shows a tendency that the larger the client's company, the better the clients' perception of the auditor's role and the corresponding expectations. Although the auditors seem to have a good idea of ​​what the clients expect, they do not always live up to these. Larger companies with their own accounting expertise do not expect much from the auditor but are also given high priority by the auditors due to their size. Smaller companies that expect a lot of advice and support from their auditor can be de-prioritized in the event of a lack of time.

Information technology is in an era of rapid development, many new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain technology and so on have begun to be applied in many industries, many logistics companies are also beginning to apply these technologies in the logistics system. As a logistics company, the quality of the relationship between the company and its customers is extremely important for the company's performance and future development, but there are still few studies on the impact of the application of new technologies on the quality of customer relationship. This paper mainly predicts the impact of technology application on customer relationship quality by observing the impact of technology application on logistics service quality. Service quality in this paper is divided into four aspects, namely logistics service efficiency and accuracy, customer service customization, information transparency and communication efficiency, and protection of customer privacy data. In this paper, a semi-structured interview was conducted with seven managers of logistics enterprises using stereotyped case studies and purposeful sampling. The research results of this paper show that large-scale logistics companies are more likely to improve the service quality of logistics through the application of new technologies and thus enhance the quality of the relationship with customers, while small-scale logistics companies may reduce the service quality due to improper technology application due to capital, technology accumulation and other reasons, and thus have a negative impact on the quality of customer relationship. In addition, the research results also show that logistics companies believe that improving service quality in information transparency and communication efficiency, as well as improving the level of customer privacy and data protection is more important for the company, and the benefits brought to the company are also more obvious.

Determining the best way for evaluating organizational performance is a complex problem as it involves assessment of indicators in multiple dimensions. In the case of nonprofit social service provision this evaluation needs to consider also the outcomes of the service. This research develops a performance measurement system that collects performance indicators, evaluates them and provides concrete performance improvement recommendations to decision-makers in the nonprofit sector. Three dimensions of performance are identified for social services: effectiveness or outcome achievement, service quality and efficiency. A framework for measuring performance in four stages or nodes is advanced. The nodes represent the most important production functions for nonprofit organizations dedicated to social services. These are: (a) financial (fundraising or income generation activities); (b) capacity creation; (c) service delivery; and, (d) effectiveness. Survey instruments were developed to collect service quality and effectiveness indicators for the last two nodes. Effectiveness measures were identified following a well-structured 7-step approach to develop outcome-based objectives. To effectively deal with this problem, the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) formulation was adapted to evaluate performance at each node. DEA computes performance scores, optimal target performance levels, and the performance frontier for different branches, units, or other comparable decision-making units (DMUs). Two basic formulations were developed for this framework as follows: Model I as a four stage formulation that carries the actual values of output variables of one node to the successive node, and Model II as a formulation that carries the projections — i.e. the recommended targets' from one node to the other. This last formulation assumes that the DMUs have undergone a reengineering effort and that their indicators are set at their maximum potential. Several environmental factors affecting social service provision were included in the analysis. Additionally, variable selection recommendations were developed for DEA analysis and DEA graphical reports produced. It was concluded that decision makers could use Model I to identify performance improvement targets in each production node. The results from Model II can be used for resource planning after the targets are achieved. Finally, this performance measurement framework is being implemented at one of largest national social service agencies in the United States. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how Swedish banks leverage service quality to handle the changed customer expectations shaped by COVID-19-related product development. Due to COVID-19, the digital shift along with product development accelerated resulting in changed customer expectations within the banking sector. The authors acknowledge the gap in the literature regarding what changed customer expectations that arose, which is essential to understand service quality. To reach a conclusion aligned with the purpose that answered the three formulated research questions, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees from the Swedish banking sector. The data was analyzed through a thematic approach allowing the authors to structure and analyze the findings. The findings revealed several changed customer expectations and that banks continuously handle these. It was concluded that service quality permeates the bank's operations, and the focus is directed toward the customer, fulfilling their needs and meeting expectations. Banks leverage service quality by integrating NPD, needs analysis for customer satisfaction, feedback, and exceeding expectations by providing extra services. Due to growing competition, leveraging service quality allows banks to reduce the risk of customers switching to competitors and differentiate.

"Hotel customers' interactions with service robots are becoming increasingly common, raising questions about how these interactions impact their experience. To address this gap in knowledge, this dissertation develops and validates a novel robotic service quality (ROBOQUAL) scale. Drawing on social exchange theory, the study examines the reciprocal relationship between hotel customers and artificially intelligent service robots, exploring how robotic service quality influences customers' perceptions of experience quality, satisfaction, and word-of-mouth intentions. The research employs focus-group studies, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and partial least squares equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to develop and validate the ROBOQUAL scale."

The service sector of the global economy is undoubtedly growing and increasingly highlighting the criticality of service quality to enhanced profitability in most service organisations. The demand for accountability from different stakeholders, including clients, has also made service quality a highly debated, researched and most powerful competitive trend shaping marketing and business strategy. Developing reliable measurement instruments of service quality and strategies for the improvement of service quality invariably become the most important responsibilities for managers in many organisations. In the absence of conceptual clarity on service quality, divergent views on the dimensionality of service quality and the lack of a psychometrically valid service quality measure in archival institutions, this study set out to develop and subsequently validate a measurement instrument to assess service quality in an archival institutional setting. The two research questions investigated in this study were: (1) what are the dimensions for measuring service quality in archival institutions, and (2) how can the dimensions of service quality in archival institutions be measured effectively. The methodology for this study involved a two-phased qualitative and quantitative analysis addressing these two research questions. The study followed the standard psychometric procedure for developing constructs. This research has resulted in the important findings and relevant conclusions for both academics and practitioners interested in service quality in the archival environment. The service quality measurement instrument formulated is called ARCHIVqual and has three dimensions, namely (1) security of information (with 4 items), (2) integrity of information (with 3 items) and (3) usability of information (with 2 items). Besides measuring service quality in the archival environment, ARCHIVqual will also serve as a tool for conducting periodic surveys thereby identifying specific problematic areas in archival institutions. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / DBL

The study identifies how different stakeholders perceive service quality improvement initiatives in public higher education institutions in Ethiopia. For this purpose, a mixed research methodology was employed. Furthermore, secondary data were collected from a variety of literature and primary data were collected from academic staff and final year students at public higher education institutions using the SERVQUAL scale and through focus group interviews. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The research findings indicated that all dimensions of the service quality improvement initiatives were perceived by academic staff and studentsto be verypoor. The reasons for these poor or low perceptions were: the high expectationsof the stakeholders, the government’s intention to expand, lack of adequate knowledge regarding the implementation of the BPR process, the lack of motivation by service providers, poor management and the lack of good governance by the universities, inexperienced workers, non-empowered and task specific frontline employees, the low quality of the infrastructure, non-value adding hierarchical structures and approval systems, ethical problems with some service providers, the high staff turnoverand the lack of experienced staff. In addition, at all new universities, construction is underway and as a result,there are problems such as the poor state of the dormitories, classes,bathrooms, recreation areas, lounges, TV rooms, sport fields and internet connectivity, while the libraries are not well stocked with books and periodicals either. This study has recommended that the institutions should have standardised instruments that can be used to measure the status of service quality improvement and deliveryperiodically and to identify the areas that have the highest perceived performance gap scores in order to redeploy some of the resources. It also needs to be pointed out that the service providers lack sufficient knowledge and skillsconcerning the implementation of BPR, thus training is recommended in this regard.It is further recommended that for effective implementation of the BPR process, the importance of the provision of different guiding documents, continuous monitoring of activities and top management support should be kept in mind. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

Title: Service Quality GAP Model - Holmes Place Premium Club Anděl Goal: The aim of this thesis is using service quality GAP model to analyse the causes of the gaps in the process of providing services that Holmes Place Premium Club Anděl offers to its clients. Based on these analyses to make specific recommendations on how to minimize these gaps and improve the quality of services provided. Methods: Service quality GAP model was used as a method for the thesis. The gaps were analysed using a questionnaire survey among the management and employees, personal interviews with the management team and own observations. Results: The results of the analyses are presented by classification crosses, tables and graphs. Based on the analyses there are offered certain suggestions on how to eliminate eventual deficiencies, and thus improve the quality of services provided. The results revealed major shortcomings in the gap 4 (fulfilment of marketing promises marketing communications), and prioritizing the importance of sales at the expense of service quality. Keywords: fitness and wellness, services, sports services, service quality, service quality GAP model, Holmes Place Premium Club Anděl Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

The study investigated the service quality of the Aga Khan University (AKU) library as an example of an academic library in Kenya using SERVQUAL, a user based assessment tool. Total Quality Management (TQM) philosophy formed the basis of the study; a philosophy that is customer oriented and lays great emphasis on enhancing customer satisfaction. The study adopted a survey design and data was collected using a structured selfadministered questionnaire by the name of SERVQUAL. The study sample consisted of nursing and medical faculty; nursing and medical students. A total of 78 (63%) respondents responded to the questionnaire. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0. Descriptive statistics was provided and univariate analysis was applied to examine the characteristics of the 2 main variables; perceptions and expectations. The findings of the study established that the expectations of AKU library users are higher than their perceptions. It is also evident from the findings that there are service quality gaps in a number of library services offered by AKU library. This is demonstrated through the gap analysis between the AKU library users‟ perceptions and the users‟ expectations of AKU library. The study recommends that AKU library as well as other academic libraries in Kenya adopt user based assessment tools such as SERVQUAL in the evaluation of library service quality. The study further recommends that AKU library needs to address gaps between the library users‟ perception and the users‟ expectation in order to enhance customer satisfaction through the provision of quality services. The study also recommends that AKU library needs to address the gaps in service attributes such as those relating to AKU library staff, reliability and efficiency of AKU library service delivery. In line with the findings the study further recommends more training for AKU library staff in areas such as customer service skills as well as the need for AKU library to invest more in its physical facility and equipment. / Information Science / M.A. (Information Science)

New Zealand's tertiary education sector has experienced political reform, social changes, economic changes and globalisation in the last two decades, and the sector has become more internationally competitive. DeShields, Kara, and Kaynak (2005) recommended that management of higher education should apply a market-oriented approach to sustain a competitive advantage. Therefore, understanding and managing students' satisfaction and their perceptions of service quality is important for university management if they are to design and implement a market-oriented approach. The purpose of this research is to gain an empirical understanding of students' overall satisfaction in a university in New Zealand's higher education sector. A hierarchal model is used as a framework for the analysis. Fifteen hypotheses are formulated and tested to identify the dimensions of service quality as perceived by university students, to examine the relationship between students' overall satisfaction with influential factors such as tuition fees (price) and the university's image, and to determine the impact of students' overall satisfaction on favourable future behavioural intentions. In addition, students' perceptions of these constructs are compared using demographic factors such as gender, age, and ethnicity. The findings of the study are based on the analysis of a sample of 223 students studying at Lincoln University. Support is found for the use of a hierarchical model and the primary dimensions; Interaction Quality, Physical Environment Quality, and Outcome Quality, as broad dimensions of service quality. Ten sub-dimensions of service quality, as perceived by students, are identified. These are: Academic Staff, Administration Staff, Academic Staff Availability, Course Content, Library, Physically Appealing, Social Factors, Personal Development, Academic Development, and Career Opportunities. The results indicate that each of the primary dimensions vary in terms of their importance to overall perceived service quality, as do the sub-dimensions to the primary dimensions. In addition, the statistical results support a relationship between service quality and price; service quality, image, and satisfaction; and satisfaction and favourable future behavioural intentions. However, there is no statistical support for a relationship between price and satisfaction. The results also suggest that students' perceptions of the constructs are primarily influenced by their ethnicity and year of study. The results of the analysis contribute to the service marketing theory by providing an empirically based insight into the satisfaction and service quality constructs in the New Zealand higher education sector. The study also provides an analytical framework for understanding the effects of the three primary dimensions on service quality and the effects of service quality on constructs including price, image, satisfaction, and favourable future behavioural intentions. This study will assist management of higher education to develop and implement a market-oriented service strategy in order to achieve a high quality of service, enhance students' level of satisfaction and create favourable future behavioural intentions.