Actions

SERVQUAL

Definition

SERVQUAL is a multi-dimensional research instrument designed to measure service quality by capturing the gap between customer expectations and perceptions of the service received. Developed by A. Parasuraman, Valarie A. Zeithaml, and Leonard L. Berry in the late 1980s, SERVQUAL has become a widely used tool for assessing and improving service quality in various industries, such as banking, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications.


The Five Dimensions of SERVQUAL

SERVQUAL is based on the premise that service quality can be evaluated across five key dimensions:

  • Tangibles: The physical appearance of the service environment, including the facilities, equipment, personnel, and communication materials.
  • Reliability: The ability to perform the promised service dependably and accurately, delivering on commitments and maintaining consistency in service provision.
  • Responsiveness: The willingness to help customers and provide prompt service, addressing customer needs and inquiries in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Assurance: The knowledge and courtesy of employees and their ability to convey trust and confidence, demonstrating competence and professionalism.
  • Empathy: Providing caring, individualized attention to customers, understanding their needs and expectations, and demonstrating genuine concern for their well-being.


SERVQUAL Model and Measurement

The SERVQUAL model measures service quality by comparing customer expectations with their perceptions of the actual service received. This is done using a questionnaire consisting of 22 paired statements, with each pair addressing one of the five dimensions of service quality. Customers are asked to rate their expectations and perceptions on a seven-point Likert scale, ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree."

The SERVQUAL score for each dimension is calculated by subtracting the customer's expectation rating from their perception rating. A positive score indicates that the perceived service quality exceeded expectations, while a negative score indicates that the perceived service quality fell short of expectations. The overall SERVQUAL score is calculated as the sum of the individual dimension scores.


Benefits and Applications of SERVQUAL

SERVQUAL has been widely adopted by organizations in various industries as a tool for measuring and improving the service quality. Some of the benefits and applications of SERVQUAL include:

  • Benchmarking: SERVQUAL can be used to benchmark an organization's service quality against industry standards or competitors, helping to identify areas of strength and weakness and guiding strategic decision-making.
  • Continuous Improvement: By regularly measuring service quality using SERVQUAL, organizations can monitor their performance and track the impact of service improvement initiatives over time.
  • Customer Focus: SERVQUAL helps organizations to understand their customers' needs and expectations better, enabling them to develop more customer-centric service offerings and strategies.
  • Employee Training and Development: By identifying areas of service quality that need improvement, SERVQUAL can guide employee training and development efforts, ensuring that staff has the skills and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality service.


Limitations and Criticisms of SERVQUAL

While SERVQUAL has been widely adopted and recognized for its contributions to the field of service quality measurement, it has also faced some criticisms and limitations:

  • Subjectivity: The measurement of service quality using SERVQUAL relies on customer perceptions and expectations, which can be influenced by individual preferences, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. This subjectivity may affect the reliability and validity of the SERVQUAL scores.
  • Generalizability: Although SERVQUAL has been applied across various industries, some researchers argue that the model may not be universally applicable and that industry-specific adaptations or modifications may be required to measure service quality accurately.
  • Dimensionality: Some critics argue that the five dimensions of SERVQUAL may not adequately capture all aspects of service quality and that additional dimensions may be necessary to provide a more comprehensive assessment.
  • Simplicity of the Gap Model: The gap model underlying SERVQUAL, which focuses on the difference between customer expectations and perceptions, has been criticized for its simplicity. Some researchers argue that other factors, such as customer emotions and prior experiences, should also be considered when measuring service quality.
  • Questionnaire Length: The SERVQUAL questionnaire consists of 22 paired statements, which may be time-consuming for respondents to complete. This could lead to respondent fatigue, potentially affecting the accuracy of the responses.

Despite these criticisms and limitations, SERVQUAL remains a widely used and valuable tool for measuring and improving the service quality. By understanding and addressing the model's limitations, organizations can ensure that they are using SERVQUAL effectively to identify areas for improvement, enhance customer satisfaction, and drive business success.


See Also