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Service quality, emotional satisfaction, and behavioural intentions: A study in the hotel industry

Riadh Ladhari (Faculty of Business Administration, Laval University, Québec, Canada)

Managing Service Quality: An International Journal

ISSN: 0960-4529

Article publication date: 15 May 2009

19333

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a conceptual model of the relationships among the constructs of “service quality”, “emotional satisfaction”, and “behavioural intention” in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilises a review of the literature to propose a conceptual model that postulates that: service quality is positively related to consumers' emotions; service quality is positively related to behavioural intentions; and consumers' emotions are positively related to behavioural intentions. Moreover, the model postulates that emotional satisfaction partially mediates the effect of service quality on behavioural intentions. The model is tested in an empirical study with data from a survey among 200 Canadian travellers.

Findings

All the hypothesised relationships are supported. The results confirm that service quality exerts both direct and indirect effects (through emotional satisfaction) on behavioural intentions.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should focus on the role of emotional satisfaction in service experience in a variety of settings.

Originality/value

The research provides valuable insights into the role of emotional satisfaction in the hotel service experience. Emotional satisfaction makes a significant contribution to the prediction of behavioural intentions (such as loyalty, word of mouth, and willingness to pay more).

Keywords

Citation

Ladhari, R. (2009), "Service quality, emotional satisfaction, and behavioural intentions: A study in the hotel industry", Managing Service Quality: An International Journal, Vol. 19 No. 3, pp. 308-331. https://doi.org/10.1108/09604520910955320

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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