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Cited by 265

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 102 of the 102 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Identification and analysis of moderator variables: Investigating the customer satisfaction‐loyalty link

Walsh, Gianfranco, Evanschitzky, Heiner, Wunderlich, Maren·2008·European Journal of Marketing

Abstract

Purpose: Research on the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty has advanced to a stage that requires a more thorough examination of moderator variables. Limited research shows how moderators influence the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in a service context; this article aims to present empirical evidence of the conditions in which the satisfaction‐loyalty relationship becomes stronger or weaker. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of more than 700 customers of DIY retailers and multi‐group structural equation modelling, the authors examine moderating effects of several firm‐related variables, variables that result from firm/employee‐customer interactions and individual‐level variables (i.e. loyalty cards, critical incidents, customer age, gender, income, expertise). Findings: The empirical results suggest that not all of the moderators considered influence the satisfaction‐loyalty link. Specifically, critical incidents and income are important moderators of the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Practical implications: Several of the moderator variables considered in this study are manageable variables. Originality/value: This study should prove valuable to academic researchers as well as service and retailing managers. It systematically analyses the moderating effect of firm‐related and individual‐level variables on the relationship between customer satisfaction and loyalty. It shows the differential effect of different types of moderator variables on the satisfaction‐loyalty link.

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Cites

Show all 102 references

Research works printed but not linked: 16

  1. Audrian, A.‐F. (2002), “Can we enhance consumer satisfaction for a utility?Can we enhance consumer satisfaction for a utility? Some elements through the attribute‐satisfaction relationship analysis”, Proceedings of the 11th AMA Frontiers in Services Conference 38. (Maastricht): American Marketing Association 38, Maastricht, American Marketing Association.
  2. Bloemer, J. and Kasper, H.D. (1994), “The impact of satisfaction on brand loyalty: urging on classifying satisfaction and brand loyalty”, Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior, Vol. 7, pp. 151‐60.
  3. Collier, D.A. (1995), “Modelling the relationships between process quality errors and overall service process performance”, International Journal of Service Industry Management, Vol. 64 No. 4, pp. 4‐19. · doi:10.1108/09564239510096876
  4. Crask, M. and Reynolds, F. (1978), “An indepth profile of the department store shopper”, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 54, Summer, pp. 23‐32.
  5. Dichter, E. (1966), “How word‐of‐mouth advertising works”, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 44, November‐December, pp. 147‐66.
  6. Ehrenberg, A. and Goodhart, G. (2000), “New brands: near instant loyalty”, Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 607‐18. · doi:10.1362/026725700785045912
  7. Halstead, D. and Page, T.J. (1992), “The effects on satisfaction and complaining behavior on consumer purchase intentions”, Journal of Consumer Satisfaction Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior, Vol. 3, pp. 1‐11.
  8. Jacoby, J. (1971), “A model of multi‐brand loyalty”, Journal of Advertising Research, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 25‐32.
  9. Korgaonkar, P.K., Lund, D. and Price, B. (1985), “A structural equations approach toward examination of store attitude and store patronage behavior”, Journal of Retailing, Vol. 61 No. 2, pp. 39‐60.
  10. McMullan, R. (2005), “Service quality vs price: the moderating role of customer loyalty”, Journal of Customer Behaviour, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp. 425‐44. · doi:10.1362/147539205775181294
  11. Narayandas, N. (1997), “Measuring and managing the consequences of customer loyalty: an empirical investigation”, Working paper 98‐003, Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA.
  12. Passingham, J. (1998), “Grocery retailing and the loyalty card”, International Journal of Market Research, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 55‐63. · doi:10.1177/147078539804000105
  13. Patterson, P.G. and Johnson, L. (1995), “Focal brand experience and product based norms as moderators in the satisfaction formation process”, Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behaviour, Vol. 8, pp. 22‐31.
  14. Rust, R.T. and Williams, D.C. (1994), “How length of patronage affects the impact of customer satisfaction on repurchase intention”, Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction, and Complaining Behavior, Vol. 7, pp. 107‐13.
  15. Slater, S.F. and Narver, J.C. (1992), “Market orientation, performance and the moderating influence on competitive environment”, Report No. 92‐118, Marketing Science Institute, Cambridge, MA.
  16. von Wangenheim, F. (2003), “Situational characteristics as moderators of the satisfaction‐loyalty link: an investigation in a business‐to‐business context”, Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behavior, Vol. 16, pp. 145‐56.

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Metadata

Authors
Walsh, G., Evanschitzky, H., & Wunderlich, M.
Venue
European Journal of Marketing
Publisher
Emerald
Published
2008-09-19
Volume
42
Issue
9/10
Pages
977-1004
ISSN
0309-0566 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1542256811
Cited by
265
References
102
FWCI
16.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.emerald.com/insight/site-policies (tdm)

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Identification and analysis of moderator variables: Investigating the customer satisfaction‐loyalty link. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.1108/03090560810891109
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Walsh, G., Evanschitzky, H., & Wunderlich, M. (2008). Identification and analysis of moderator variables: Investigating the customer satisfaction‐loyalty link. European Journal of Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560810891109

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