Title

Tracking The Evolution Of The Services Marketing Literature

Authors

Authors

R. P. Fisk; S. W. Brown;M. J. Bitner

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Retail.

Keywords

Organizational-Behavior; Physical Surroundings; Consumer Perceptions; Servqual Scale; Quality; Customer; Model; Satisfaction; Perspective; Encounters; Business

Abstract

The authors offer their personal interpretations as participant-observers together with a data-based analysis of the evolution of the services marketing literature. Bibliographic analysis of more than 1000 English-language, general services marketing publications spanning four decades provides the empirical base for the paper. Using an evolutionary metaphor as the framework, the authors trace the literature through three stages: Crawling Out (1953-79); Scurrying About (1980-85); and Walking Erect (1986-present). The discussion of the three stages shows how the literature has evolved from the early services-marketing-is-different debate to the maturation of specific topics (e.g., service quality, service encounters) and the legitimization of the services marketing literature by major marketing journals. A classification and summary of the publishing outlets where the literature has appeared is presented. The article closes with discussion and speculation on the future of the services marketing literature.

Journal Title

Journal of Retailing

Volume

69

Issue/Number

1

Publication Date

1-1-1993

Document Type

Review

Language

English

First Page

61

Last Page

103

WOS Identifier

WOS:A1993LQ73600003

ISSN

0022-4359

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