The Evolution of the Customer Delight Construct: Prior Research, Current Measurement, and Directions for Future Research
DOI Link
Keywords
customer delight, customer satisfaction, customer emotions, services marketing, consumer behavior
Abstract
Purpose
The present research aims to summarize the literature on customer delight, identify trends and debates, create an instrument to measure delight and propose directions for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive review of the literature has been undertaken. Flowing from a variety of conceptual, qualitative and quantitative articles, operational measures have been identified, and an instrument to measure customer delight has been proposed.
Findings
Past research on customer delight identified various emotions that trigger delight, as well as human needs, traits and behaviors associated with delightful experiences, and features of the service experience commonly related to delight. On the basis of these findings, the researchers have developed an instrument to measure customer delight.
Practical implications
The proposed instrument enables managers to measure customer delight in various service settings. Measuring and attaining higher levels of customer delight can help generate greater loyalty as compared to customer satisfaction.
Originality/value
The authors unify the conceptualization and measurement of customer delight and create a new instrument to measure the construct. Similarities and debates in the past research are identified, and directions for the future of customer delight are presented. Future studies can further test and validate the presented instrument in various service industries.
Publication Date
2018
Original Citation
Torres, E.N., & Ronzoni, G. (2018). The evolution of the customer delight construct: Prior research, current measurement, and directions for future research. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 30 (1), 57-75.
Document Type
Paper
Source Title
International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management
Volume
30
Issue
1
Copyright Status
Unknown
College
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Location
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
STARS Citation
Torres, Edwin and Ronzoni, Giulio, "The Evolution of the Customer Delight Construct: Prior Research, Current Measurement, and Directions for Future Research" (2018). Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 646.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/ucfscholar/646