This article has as objective, to show and analyzing how the customer satisfaction in function of the Kano Model is used to take a competitive advantage within the car industry. Some results show that the impact of the customer satisfaction surveys account for 8 to 10% of the turnover of the major European car companies. In fact, in the 5 past years, the profitability of the leaders in customer satisfaction have surpassed the laggards. Leaders had a cumulative total return of + 22.5%, the SP 500 experienced a decline of -1.3% during the same period, latecomers lost - 46.3%. Therefore, these figures demonstrate how it’s important to set up a good strategic customer listening in order to take advantage on competition.

This article has as objective, to show and analyzing how the customer satisfaction in function of the Kano Model is used to take a competitive advantage within the car industry. Some results show that the impact of the customer satisfaction surveys account for 8 to 10% of the turnover of the major European car companies. In fact, in the 5 past years, the profitability of the leaders in customer satisfaction have surpassed the laggards. Leaders had a cumulative total return of + 22.5%, the SP 500 experienced a decline of -1.3% during the same period, latecomers lost - 46.3%. Therefore, these figures demonstrate how it’s important to set up a good strategic customer listening in order to take advantage on competition.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (2004), it is estimated that there is a total of 1.42 million active businesses in South Africa, 84 per cent of which are classified as “family business”. Internationally, family businesses account for 70 per cent of all international businesses and 35 per cent of Fortune 500 companies (Balshaw, 2004). Despite their economic importance, family businesses still find marketing to be a challenge. Relationships are at the heart of family businesses (Petzinger, 1999; Cooper, Upton and Seaman, 2005). This is because the fundamental DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) a family business is based on a symbiotic relationship between the family and the business. Families, by virtue of their DNA, cultivate deep relationships with people, which include customers, suppliers and even competitors. Hence, in a family business context, these values are transferred into the business by the associated family. This relational approach is often utilised in the marketing strategies that they adopt. This study investigates some of the characteristics of relationship marketing that exist in South African family businesses. The results from the family businesses surveyed, indicates that they cultivate deep relationship with customers. This characteristic enables these businesses to be highly proficient at both satisfying and retaining customers. However, despite a culture of customer centricity, further findings indicate that such businesses are less proficient regarding their orientation with competitors, as they are often slow to respond to competition, in the market place. Lastly, the study indicates that family businesses cultivate and maintain a healthy relationship with employees; as such relationships is a prerequisite for customer satisfaction.

"Customer Satisfaction is a Continuous Process which does not begin or end witha purchase".Slogans of “Quality" can be viewed all around the corners of factories, whichhas emerged as the managerial imperative from the past decade. But Qualityfailures, rejections & cancellations are still apparent. Therefore, we shouldinvestigate and prepare an action plan to experience the real achievementthrough producing quality products, to “Delight our Customers".The Author of this study has recognized the extent of misunderstanding, missmanagement of production process and Quality Systems and did select specificresearch methods in order to satisfy the aim of the investigation. Moreover, Authorhas selected one of Swedish based retailer namely Tailor Store AB, companywhich is very successful in web base mass customization.After analyzing the company Author has published a Quality handbook for theTailor Store AB. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen magister

Electronic banking (hereafter referred to as digital banking), has not been fully embraced by local South Africans, in comparison to larger more established banking industries of the world. Despite the research literature available on e-commerce, much is still unknown about digital banking drivers in developing countries such as South Africa. In particular how clients feel about this form of banking and what the strategic challenges that require resolution for local consumers and banks to both benefit from this symbiotic relationship. Arguably, digital channels are the future of banking globally as the autocatalytic nature of the internet and mobile devices continue to fuel digital transformation. In order for local banks to leverage this area of technological evolution, customer perceptions about this service platform, particularly the areas that were targeted for this investigation need to be prudently considered from a customer perspective for future corrective measures that need to be undertaken and ultimately solve for customer satisfaction. Many South Africans have been early adopters of digital banking services, however many are still wary of this form of banking. A “magic pill” for implementation was not sought after, but rather a learning approach to embrace the opinions and perceptions of consumers.

The diploma thesis describes current situation of customer care in FMCG with focus on supermarkets, shops and restaurants. The thesis is based on research of customer satisfaction with current situation and proposal for improvement. Proposal is described in theoretical way and suppported by implementation on the concrete company.

La presente surgió por el interés de colaborar con la empresa Tai Loy S.A. a identificar mejoras en el proceso de retención de clientes para mejorar su situación competitiva a nivel local e iniciar una etapa de expansión internacional. A partir de la caída de ventas, se identificaron deficiencias en procesos logísticos que incidían directamente en la satisfacción de sus clientes B2B, motivo por el cual se propuso el objetivo de determinar qué aspectos de la calidad de servicio del proceso logístico de distribución de Tai Loy tiene mayor efecto en la satisfacción de sus clientes B2B The present arose from the interest of collaborating with the company Tai Loy S.A. to identify improvements in the process of customer retention to improve their competitive situation at the local level and initiate a stage of international expansion. After the fall in sales, deficiencies were identified in logistics processes that directly affected the satisfaction of their B2B customers, which is why the objective of determining which aspects of the service quality of the Tai Loy distribution logistics process was proposed has a greater effect on the satisfaction of your B2B customers

The ability to attract and retain customers through providing excellent service quality is a necessity for any business in every field. However, before a firm can expect to consistently provide high quality service, it must first know how to measure and identify areas of needed improvement. While service quality research has been conducted in most of the major sectors of the economy, the residential real estate brokerage industry is only beginning to incorporate existing knowledge of service quality management. This is especially disconcerting given that real estate is such a large part of local and national economies around the world. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the best instrument that can be used to measure service quality in the residential real estate brokerage industry. The findings reveal that the reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions significantly lead to increases in the overall evaluation of service the firm provides. The empathy dimension also significantly causes homebuyers to recommend the firm to others. Additionally, empathy significantly causes the client to use the firm again. Finally, as hypothesized, overall satisfaction leads to both repeat uses of the firm and recommending the firm to a friend. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis is about the customer experience in hotels. The thesis evaluates the customer experience in relation to the antecedents of behavioural loyalty. Behavioural loyalty is evaluated in relation to customer satisfaction, brand trust and brand attitude. Customer satisfaction is also evaluated in relation to the antecedents of hotel performance, service quality and perceived value. The broad research underpinning this research is: How do consumers perceive and relate to luxury and first class hotel brands? The hotel industry is a large and highly diverse industry that includes a wide range of property styles, uses and qualities (Chon & Sparrowe, 2000; Go & Pine, 1995; Olsen, 1996; Powers & Barrows, 1999). The industry covers the spectrum of small, medium and large enterprises (Brotherton, 2003; Jones, 2002) and makes a significant contribution to national and international economies. The research incorporated data collection in three stages. The first stage was a qualitative study of consumers who self selected as first class or luxury consumers. The data from the focus groups were used to develop items for inclusion in a survey instrument. The focus groups data, together with information gathered from a literature review, were used to develop scales across a number of hotel performance dimensions. In addition scales were included in the survey instrument on customer satisfaction, perceived value, brand trust, brand attitude and behavioural loyalty. The second stage of the research was a pilot study with the survey instrument being distributed to a convenience sample. The data collected at this stage were used to purify and refine the survey instrument. The final stage was data collected from consumers in a number of Australian hotels. The resultant data set comprised 693 completed and useable responses. The data were examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to confirm the hotel performance and other dimensions. The resultant dimensions showed good psychometric properties. A number of hypotheses were proposed in the thesis and examined using structural equation modelling. Although two hypotheses were rejected the resultant structural model showed strong relationships between the dimensions included. The research identified that service quality is a strong contributor to behavioural loyalty. The stronger pathway from service quality to behavioural loyalty was through customer satisfaction ( = 0.63) although the pathway through brand attitude ( = 0.22) was also significant. Both customer satisfaction and service quality had a significant effect on brand trust and service quality also influenced brand attitude. A number of recommendations for further research were made. These included the replication of this study in different geographic and industry contexts.

The broad aim of this research program was to advance theoretical and practical knowledge of service quality, customer satisfaction and loyalty intentions. This was achieved by refining existing models or concepts, testing relationships between constructs that have not previously been examined, or applying constructs that have been well understood in a specific academic domain, in a service industry context. The current research program began in 2003 with the first published output appearing in 2004. The program was completed in 2007. It consists of nine peer reviewed publications that have been classified into three distinct phases. In many respects it was an evolutionary process, in that earlier findings identified the questions for proceeding research, and while service quality, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty intentions were of primary concern, other constructs were also examined. These were cultural values, work values, consumption emotions, mood and destination image. The unit of analysis in all of the articles was individuals, as opposed to organisations, and as such, the theories and concepts that were examined and tested throughout the research program have their origins in psychology. As a consequence, the research findings have implications not only for the tourism industry, but any service that involves an interaction between people.