Customer relationship management capabilities: Measurement, antecedents and consequences

This study seeks to extend the resource‐based view to the context of customer relationship management. It is intended to develop a measurement model of customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities, and to explore the key antecedents and performance consequences of CRM capabilities.

Questionnaire survey was used to collect data. In order to develop a reliable and valid measurement model of CRM capabilities, several rounds of questionnaire survey were conducted, and hypotheses were tested by utilizing the technique of structural equation modeling.

A three‐factor (customer interaction management capability, customer relationship upgrading capability and customer win‐back capability) measurement model of CRM capabilities is developed and tested. Furthermore, results support the hypothesized influences of customer orientation, customer‐centric organizational system and CRM technology on CRM capabilities, as well as the influence of CRM capabilities on organizational performance.

This study provides a useful measurement mode of CRM capabilities that managers can use to evaluate the status in quo of CRM capabilities of their firms. Managers may also improve their CRM programs more effectively and efficiently by deploying such strategic resources of firms as customer orientation, customer‐centric organizational system and CRM technology to build and strengthen their CRM capabilities.

The paper addresses significant gaps in the current literature by taking a capability view of CRM, developing a valid measurement model of CRM capabilities, and examining how possession of important CRM resources influences the effective deployment of CRM capabilities.