Is empowerment really a contributory factor to service quality?

Article


Ueno, A. 2008. Is empowerment really a contributory factor to service quality? The Service Industries Journal. 28 (9), pp. 1321-1337. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060802230262
TypeArticle
TitleIs empowerment really a contributory factor to service quality?
AuthorsUeno, A.
Abstract

This article investigates how empowerment of front-line staff affects service quality in mass and technological services. A questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews were conducted. Analysis of the questionnaire data revealed that although there was a moderate association between empowerment and service quality in mass services, the relationship was not statistically significant in technological services. The interview data explain these results and highlight important differences between mass and technological services, both in the type of staff and in the nature of tasks undertaken. Moreover, it was apparent that there were difficulties in implementing empowerment in mass services.

Keywordsempowerment; service quality; mass services; technological services
Sustainable Development Goals3 Good health and well-being
Middlesex University ThemeHealth & Wellbeing
PublisherTaylor and Francis
JournalThe Service Industries Journal
ISSN0264-2069
Electronic1743-9507
Publication dates
Print01 Nov 2008
Online05 Dec 2008
Publication process dates
Deposited31 Aug 2022
Accepted01 Feb 2007
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
License
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060802230262
Web of Science identifierWOS:000261415900009
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/89y27

Download files


Accepted author manuscript
  • 42
    total views
  • 27
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

A review of the metaverse in higher education: opportunities, challenges and future research agenda
Ueno, A., Curtis, L., Wood, R., Al-Emran, M. and Yu, C. 2024. A review of the metaverse in higher education: opportunities, challenges and future research agenda. in: Al-Sharafi, M., Al-Emran, M., Tan, G. and Ooi, K. (ed.) Current and Future Trends on Intelligent Technology Adoption: Volume 2 Cham Springer. pp. 1-16
Job demands-resources theory extended: stress, loneliness, andcare responsibilities impacting UK doctoral students’ and academics’ mental health
Ueno, A., Yu, C., Curtis, L. and Dennis, C. 2024. Job demands-resources theory extended: stress, loneliness, andcare responsibilities impacting UK doctoral students’ and academics’ mental health. Studies in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2024.2357148
Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary perspective and future research agenda
Paul, J., Ueno, A., Dennis, C., Alamanos, E., Curtis, L., Foroudi, P., Kacprzak, A., Kunz, W.H., Liu, J., Marvi, R., Nair, S., Ozdemir, O., Pantano, E., Papadopoulos, T., Petit, O., Tyagi, S. and Wirtz, J. 2024. Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary perspective and future research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 48 (2). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.13015
ChatGPT and consumers: Benefits, pitfalls and future research agenda
Paul, J., Ueno, A. and Dennis, C. 2023. ChatGPT and consumers: Benefits, pitfalls and future research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies. 47 (4), pp. 1213-1225. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12928
Emerging digital technologies and consumer decision-making in retail sector: towards an integrative conceptual framework
Sharma, P., Ueno, A., Dennis, C. and Turan, P. 2023. Emerging digital technologies and consumer decision-making in retail sector: towards an integrative conceptual framework. Computers in Human Behavior. 148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2023.107913
Digital exclusion and relative digital deprivation: Exploring factors and moderators of internet non-use in the UK
Ueno, A., Dennis, C. and Dafoulas, G. 2023. Digital exclusion and relative digital deprivation: Exploring factors and moderators of internet non-use in the UK. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122935
Shaping the metaverse into reality: a holistic multidisciplinary understanding of opportunities, challenges, and avenues for future investigation
Koohang, A., Nord, J., Ooi, K., Tan, G., Al-Emran, M., Aw, E., Baabdullah, A., Buhalis, D., Cham, T., Dennis, C., Dutot, V., Dwivedi, Y., Hughes, L., Mogaji, E., Pandey, N., Phau, I., Raman, R., Sharma, A., Sigala, M., Ueno, A. and Wong, L. 2023. Shaping the metaverse into reality: a holistic multidisciplinary understanding of opportunities, challenges, and avenues for future investigation. Journal of Computer Information Systems. 63 (3), pp. 735-765. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2165197
Which management practices are contributory to service quality?
Ueno, A. 2008. Which management practices are contributory to service quality? International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. 25 (6), pp. 585-603. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656710810881890
Which management practices are contributory to service quality? Part 2: Findings from in‐depth interviews
Ueno, A. 2009. Which management practices are contributory to service quality? Part 2: Findings from in‐depth interviews. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. 26 (8), pp. 761-777. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656710910984156
Quality training: findings from a European survey
Mathews, B., Ueno, A., Periera, Z., Silva, G., Kekale, T. and Repka, M. 2001. Quality training: findings from a European survey. The TQM Magazine. 13 (1), pp. 61-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780110360615
European quality management practices: the impact of national culture
Mathews, B., Ueno, A., Kekale, T., Repka, M., Pereira, Z. and Silva, G. 2001. European quality management practices: the impact of national culture. International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management. 18 (7), pp. 692-707. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005776
Are performance appraisals and reward really a contributory factor to service quality?
Ueno, A. 2013. Are performance appraisals and reward really a contributory factor to service quality? Services Marketing Quarterly. 34 (1), pp. 34-48. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332969.2013.739938
Digital poverty in the UK: analysis of secondary data
Dafoulas, G., Ueno, A. and Dennis, C. 2022. Digital poverty in the UK: analysis of secondary data. London, UK British Academy.
Cultural differences in deliberate counterfeit purchase behavior
Sharma, P., Chan, R., Davcik, N. and Ueno, A. 2022. Cultural differences in deliberate counterfeit purchase behavior. Marketing Intelligence & Planning. 40 (1), pp. 121-137. https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-10-2020-0460
Shall we dance? Recreational dance, well-being and productivity performance during COVID-19: a three-country study
Vecchi, M., Elf, P., Ueno, A., Dilmperi, A., Dennis, C. and Devereux, L. 2022. Shall we dance? Recreational dance, well-being and productivity performance during COVID-19: a three-country study. Journal of International Marketing. 30 (2), pp. 56-72. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X221079609
Self-service technology in supermarkets - Do frontline staff still matter?
Sharma, P., Ueno, A. and Kingshott, R. 2021. Self-service technology in supermarkets - Do frontline staff still matter? Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. 59, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102356
An assessment of customer experience concept: looking back to move forward
Zha, D., Marvi, R., Foroudi, P., Dennis, C., Ueno, A., Jin, Z. and Melewar, T. 2021. An assessment of customer experience concept: looking back to move forward. in: Melewar, T., Dennis, C. and Foroudi, P. (ed.) Building Corporate Identity, Image and Reputation in the Digital Era London Routledge. pp. 289-306
Customer engagement and relationships in multi-actor service ecosystems
Sharma, P., Jain, K., Kingshott, R. and Ueno, A. 2020. Customer engagement and relationships in multi-actor service ecosystems. Journal of Business Research. 121, pp. 487-494.
Interactive effects of information exchange, relationship capital and environmental uncertainty on international joint venture (IJV) performance: an emerging markets perspective
Kwok, F., Sharma, P., Gaur, S. and Ueno, A. 2019. Interactive effects of information exchange, relationship capital and environmental uncertainty on international joint venture (IJV) performance: an emerging markets perspective. International Business Review. 28 (5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2018.02.008
Classroom disciplinary climate in secondary schools in England: what is the real picture?
Jenkins, A. and Ueno, A. 2017. Classroom disciplinary climate in secondary schools in England: what is the real picture? British Educational Research Journal. 43 (1), pp. 124-150. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3255
Developing a conceptual model illustrating how HRM practices support each other in order to improve service quality
Ueno, A. 2014. Developing a conceptual model illustrating how HRM practices support each other in order to improve service quality. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 148, pp. 24-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.07.011
Which HRM practices contribute to service culture?
Ueno, A. 2012. Which HRM practices contribute to service culture? Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. 23 (11-12), pp. 1227-1239. https://doi.org/10.1080/14783363.2012.733255
What are the fundamental features supporting service quality?
Ueno, A. 2010. What are the fundamental features supporting service quality? Journal of Services Marketing. 24 (1), pp. 74-86. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876041011017907
Quality training: needs and evaluation-findings from a European survey
Mathews, B., Ueno, A., Kekale, T., Repka, M., Pereira, Z. and Silva, G. 2001. Quality training: needs and evaluation-findings from a European survey. Total Quality Management. 12 (4), pp. 483-490. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544120123778