Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCO), state owned monopoly that generates, transmits, and distributes and sales electric power nationwide, has been undergoing various continued utility management practices. One of the major improvements, as part of the transformation, was the introduction of Prepayment (Metering) System, over that of the conventional metering service, which had been forcing the Corporation to follow lengthy service processes, in order to support the realization of its long term strategic vision of providing quality electric service and being competitive in an energy export. However, despite the introduction of this new type of service-prepayment customer service, the Corporation has not been able to attract more than only about five percent out of the two million total customers. Therefore, this study tried to assess and analyze the existing practice (quality) of prepayment customer service both from the employee and the Corporation’s perspectives, and thereby propose possible marketing strategies that are capable of improving the customer service quality for the subsequent adoption of prepayment service. SERVQUAL, as a methodological approach to service quality measures, was employed to measure the prepayment service quality by comparing customers’ perception of the received service against their expectations. Accordingly, the study revealed, despite its limitations, that there has been a substantial gap between customers’ expectations and perception of the service rendered, for which different possible marketing strategies were suggested for improvement.

Abstract Title:             Banks’ Counteractions against Customers’ Online Criticism Date:             June 5, 2012 Institution:   School of sustainable development of society and technology, Mälardalen University Level:           Bachelor thesis in business administration, 15 ECTS Authors:       Sara Pierre and Johanna Russo                Tutor:           Carl G. Thunman Keywords:   Banks, social media, dissatisfaction, complaints, customer behavior, sCRM, and e-WOM Purpose:       The purpose of this thesis is to describe and analyze how, where and why customers criticize the banking sector through online platforms, how the banks choose to defend themselves and counter this criticism, and to what extent these complaints may proliferate if not dealt with. The thesis will result in recommendations and suggestions for complaint management. Method:       In order for the thesis to capture the entire environment of online complaints, it has been conducted both from the banks’ and the customers’ perspective. Gathered information and cases as well as two interviews have been used for fulfilling the purpose of the thesis. Once studied, these sources have been analyzed and finally, conclusions and recommendations have been made based on the analysis. Conclusions:   Customer electronic word-of-mouth is publicly displayed on the most commonly used social platforms. In order to avoid unnecessary proliferation of customer complaints, companies ought to implement social customer relationship management strategies aimed towards fulfilling customer needs as well as company objectives. Complaints spread through social media can easily spiral out of hand as a result of the enormous amount of worldwide Internet users that can access the information, and for this reason, banks need to counter these complaints before they become unmanageable.

The contribution of this study based on the development of a cross-cultural universal framework, which is moderated by the culture dimension (uncertainty avoidance) and examines the factors influencing the individuals’ attitudes and behaviour and, ultimately, the individuals’ loyalty towards Internet banking across different countries (KSA and the UK). The study will contribute towards filling the gap in Internet banking literature by: 1) examining customers’ loyalty as a dependent variable of intention; 2) invariant acceptance of customers across the UK and KSA cultures; 3) and integration of the cultural dimension (i.e. uncertainty avoidance) and demographics (i.e. gender and experience) as factors of invariance across the groups. The framework is based on a number of constructs adopted from the validated theories in information systems (IS), psychology and marketing literature perspectives. Specifically from a psychology perspective, using Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs, Attitude, Intention, Subjective Norms, Self-efficacy and Actual Behaviour (i.e. intention towards loyalty) were integrated. From a technological perspective, using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use were integrated. Besides these constructs, the model also integrates constructs of privacy, security, communication, customers’ experience, Internet banking reputation, trust and loyalty from IS, as well as a marketing perspective. To examine the hypothetical relationships within the conceptual model, this study applied the positivist philosophical approach with quantitative methodology. Out of 1000 questionnaires distributed amongst undergraduate students in UK and KSA, 532 were useable, i.e. 53%. Due to the multilevel stages of the conceptual model, structural equation modelling (SEM), based on analysis of moment structure (AMOS), was applied to analyse the data. In addition, invariance analyses were applied to see the differences across the groups (i.e. moderation effect). Initially, sixteen hypotheses were developed in the model but due to the merger of three constructs (i.e. trust, security and privacy ) into one construct (i.e. trust), and the deletion of three constructs (i.e. communication, customers’ experience and Internet banking reputation) at the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) process, eleven hypotheses were finally retained for examination. The modification indices (MI) suggested three new paths, and hence, the addition of these new hypotheses brought the number up in total to fourteen hypotheses. The results suggest that the conceptualised model was able to fit with the data in both UK and KSA sample. Within the KSA sample, the model explained 45% variance in customer loyalty, but 60% in UK sample. From the path relationships perspectives, out of fourteen hypotheses ten were supported in the KSA and nine were supported in the UK. The results confirm the study’s argument that customer loyalty is the main construct of individuals’ behavioural intention to accept Internet banking. Within specific countries’ context, after behavioural intention, perceived ease of use was a more important predictor of loyalty in the KSA (i.e. b= 0.28); whereas perceived usefulness was a more important predictor of loyalty (i.e. b= 0.27) in the UK. Furthermore, it was noticed that subjective norm towards behavioural intention, perceived usefulness and ease of use was only significant in the KSA sample. The invariance analysis across the countries revealed significant differences between the KSA and the UK for nine hypotheses. Furthermore, invariance analysis also revealed significant differences across the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance (i.e. high and low), and the demographical variable of gender (i.e. male and female). Contrary to this, no difference was found for the demographic variable of experience (i.e. high and low). Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are advised.

The thesis analyses the customer behavior of Kiwi.com, a global online retail company for booking flights and proposes marketing interventions to increase the conversion rates in various customer segments. The effectiveness of new behavioral interventions is tested against current marketing efforts using experimental A/B methods. Additionally, areas for further improvements are explored and a design of future product features and marketing behavioral interventions is proposed.

Guest-contact employees interact with various types of customers, and they are often exposed to stressful conditions caused by the deviant, or jay-customers. The purpose of this study is to examine how jay-customer behaviors (customer incivility and customer aggression) affect employees’ job stress, and consequently, job satisfaction. Surveys of 210 participants, currently working as guest-contact employees in the hospitality industry, were analyzed for the study. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses show a positive relationship between the experience of customer incivility and employees’ job stress. Additionally, the results indicate a full mediation effect of employees’ job stress on the relationship between customer incivility and employees’ job satisfaction. Unfortunately, the study was not able to analyze customer aggression, because the majority of the participants did not report customer aggression. The findings of this study make a contribution to the hospitality service management literature by providing empirical evidence of customer incivility and its negative impact on guest-contact employees. Hospitality managers should acknowledge the existence of jay-customer behaviors and recognize their significant impact on employees’ job stress and job satisfaction

Das Smartphone ist mittlerweile ein ständiger Begleiter in unserer Gesellschaft geworden. Die Nutzer fühlen sich jedoch zunehmend belästigt von zu vielen Angeboten, Informationen und Hinweisen, die sie täglich erreichen. Eine Bedarfsanpassung in Form von Personalisierung und Kontextbezug nimmt dementsprechend bei mobilen Diensten eine immer wichtigere Rolle ein. Kontextorientierung bildet heutzutage einen Schwerpunkt im Ubiquitous Computing und geht einher mit der extensiven Nutzung von Sensordaten.

Bakgrund: Sveriges befolkning blir äldre och den allmänna pensionen sjunker. I en sådan situation blir ett privat pensionssparande allt viktigare. Trots detta har Regeringen valt att slopa avdragsrätten i produkten individuellt pensionssparande (IPS). Efterslopandet av avdragsrätten i IPS är det fortfarande kunder som inte har ändrat sitt beteende. En problematik uppstår kring hur dessa kunder ska hanteras och vilka marknadsmässiga mekanismer som styr deras beteende. Syfte: Inom ramen för marknadsföring är syftet att undersöka kundbeteendet när ett incitament försvinner och tidigare förutsättningar förändras. Genomförande: Studien utgår från en kvalitativ ansats med fokus på intervjuer. Sakkunniga inom området, rådgivare och privatpersoner bidrar till empirins kvalité. För att identifiera privatpersoner med en relation till IPS utfördes en förstudie. Utifrån den insamlade empirin utfördes en empiristyrd tematisk analysmetod för att urskilja likheter och skillnader, vilket genererat en djup diskussion och slutsats i ämnet. Slutsats: Okunskap samt informationsspridning är viktiga beståndsdelar för hur kunder beter sig vid sparande. Borttagandet av incitament leder till en negativ inställning tillvarumärket IPS som således kan orsaka svårigheter vid implementering av en ny produkt för privat pensionssparande. Det uppdagas ett utbudsunderskott och vidare krävs det att regering, banker och finansiella institut tar hänsyn till kringliggande faktorer, inklusive kundbeteendet, för att fylla detta tomrum. / Background: The population of Sweden is getting older and the national pension decreases. In that situation a private pension becomes important. Despite this, the government decided to abolish the deductibility of IPS. After the abolition of the deductibility of the IPS there still are customers who have not changed their savings behavior. A problem arises as to how these customers should be handled. Purpose: Within the boundaries of marketing the purpose is to explore the customer behavior when an incentive disappears and conditions held before, changes. Completion: The study is based on a qualitative approach, focusing on interviews. Experts in the area, counselors and individuals contribute to the quality of the empiric. To identify individuals with a relation to IPS, the authors first conducted a feasibility study. Based on the collected empirical data, an empirical driven thematic analysis is followed to discern and categorize different similarities and differences. Which, in the end resulted in a deep reflected discussion and conclusion regarding the subject. Conclusion: Regarding savings, ignorance and the dissemination of information are key elements in customer behavior. Eliminating the incentive also adds negativity to the brand IPS that could cause difficulties in the implementation of a potential new product. It has been revealed that there is a supply deficit and further, it requires that the government, banks and financial institutions needs to analyze these surrounding elements, and the customer behavior which occur in the study, into consideration in order to fulfill the customer demand.

Title: Customer behavior and brand preferences in a snowboard shop Objectives: The main aim of this thesis is to find out what are customers during their purchase of winter sports clothes and equipment influenced by and what are their decisions based on. Another task is revealing what brands in the Snowboardel shop belong to the most known and preferred ones. Methods: In this thesis there is used the method of iterrogation and the method of analysis. The iterrogative method was used to collect the information essential for the research. Afterwards were these information analysed to find out the internal relations and its causes. Results: The research revealed that customers are during their purchase mainly influenced by the quality, design and price of the winter sports products. They also usually think their purchase thoroughly out. Among brands the big and well-known world snowboarding brands are usually most known and preferred. Keywords: Customer behavior, brand, winter sports equipment, customer preferences

Haulage contractors are companies that are responsible for delivery of goods with use of trucks and vans. Previous research focus more on the haulage contractor industry in general. This study focuses on what challenges the haulage contractor industry is facing from the view of managers working in local area distribution in Sweden. We also examine what key tools and solutions are used to meet the challenges the industry is facing and what are the reasoning behind these actions.   We propose two research questions. The first question is what challenges the Swedish haulage contractor industry is facing. The second examines what strategies and tools are used by management to adapt to changes in the industry. The study is based on 5 interviews with management in haulage contractor firms and 2 interviews with representatives from industry organizations, for a total of 7 interviews. The interviews were qualitative and performed over phone and face-to-face. By analyzing interviews using thematic analysis we find that the ownership, age and size of a firm impact how it adapts to changes. The adaptation is among others in terms of investments in technologies and collaboration. Another finding is that the industry representatives perceive that customers and legislators do not understand the crucial role the haulage contractor industry plays in the economy which has its negative impacts on the industry.

O crescimento da Internet ao longo dos últimos anos como canal de vendas e canal de relacionamento entre as empresas e seus consumidores acabou por torná-la uma das principais apostas das grandes redes de varejo para a expansão dos negócios e aumento de sua performance operacional. Dentro deste contexto, o objetivo desta dissertação é contribuir à formação do conhecimento na área pesquisando o comportamento do comprador online brasileiro, especificamente alguns dos elementos motivadores e inibidores de compra, além de outros aspectos relacionados à frequência de compra, satisfação com o meio e indicadores demográficos. Para cumprir tais objetivos, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica passando pela literatura acerca de comportamento do consumidor e de estudos empíricos voltados especificamente à área de Internet. Complementarmente, foi conduzida uma pesquisa de campo quantitativa com 238 usuários de Internet brasileiros, visando contrapor os resultados às referências teóricas pesquisadas. Os resultados do estudo apontam a existência de diferentes níveis de importância entre os elementos determinantes do meio de compra (a destacar os fatores de preço e facilidade de acesso), além de identificar relações significativas positivas entre a intensidade de uso da Internet e a quantidade de compras realizadas online; e também entre a satisfação com as compras online e a intenção de realização de compras futuras pelo meio. / The growth of the Internet over the last years as a sales channel and as a relationship channel between companies and its costumers has ultimately made it one of the main bets of the largest retail chains for achieving business growth and for increasing their operating performance. In this context, the objective of this dissertation is to provide a contribution to the knowledge development in the area by researching the buyers behavior in Brasil, specifically some of the motivators and inhibitors elements of the online purchase, along with its correlation to other related aspects, such as purchase frequency, medium satisfaction on purchase, and key demographics of the online buyer. In order to reach these goals, a literature review has been conducted over consumer behavior references as well as empiric studies more specifically oriented to the dissertation discussion area. A quantitative field research has also been conducted with 238 Brazilian Internet users, with the main purpose of comparing the survey results to the literature review findings. The study results indicate the existence of different importance levels among the determing elements of the purchase mean (to be highlighted the importance of the price and easy access factors), besides pointing out positive and significative correlations between the intensity of Internet usage and purchase behavior; and between online purchases satisfaction and future purchase intention.