Customer Satisfaction And Loyalty In Logistics Services

Customer Satisfaction And Loyalty In Logistics Services

Abstract

This research examined Customer Satisfaction And Loyalty In Logistics Services with special reference to DHL Express, Lagos.

Survey design was employed with the use of a well structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected based on simple random sampling technique. Fifty (50) customers DHL Express staff were sampled, out of with Forty (40) were retrieved giving a response rate of 80%.

Two hypotheses were formulated and tested with the use of Chi-Square analysis. The analysis resulted to rejecting both null hypotheses and hence accepting the two alternate hypotheses.

Based on decisions of the tested hypotheses conclusions were reached that there is significant relationship between quality service delivery and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers. Also there is relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers.

DHL Express was recommended to take fresh look at Customer loyalty and retention strategy, align loyalty and retention programs with marketing strategy and also providing consistently high quality service.

Table of Contents

• Certification
• Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Table of content

Chapter One:

Introduction

• 1.1 Background of the Study
• 1.2 Statement of the Problems
• 1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
• 1.4 Research Questions
• 1.5 Statement of Hypotheses
• 1.6 Significance of the Study
• 1.7 Scope of the Study
• 1.8 Limitation of the Study
• 1.9 Historical Background of Case Study
• 1.10 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two:

Literature Review

• 2.0 Introduction
• 2.1 Nature of Logistics
• 2.2 Types of Logistic Service Providers (LSPS)
• 2.2.1 Carriers
• 2.2.2 Couriers & Express & Parcel/Postal (CEP)
• 2.2.3 Freight Forwarders
• 2.2.4 Third-Party LSPs (3PLs)
• 2.2.5 Fourth-Party LSPs (4PLs)
• 2.3 Customer Satisfaction
• 2.4 Customer Loyalty
• 2.4.1 Customer Loyalty Concepts
• 2.4.1.1Behaviourist Customer Loyalty Concepts
• 2.4.1.2 Neo-Behaviourist Customer Loyalty Concepts
• 2.4.2 Determinants of Customer Loyalty
• 2.4.3 Component of Customer Loyalty
• 2.4.3.1 Supplier-Focused Perspective
• 2.4.3.2 Customer-Focused Perspective
• 2.4.3.2 Relationship-Focused Perspective
• 2.5 Theoretical Framework
• 2.5.1 Social Exchange Theory
• 2.5.2 Equity Theory
• 2.5.3 Commitment Trust Theory
• 2.6 Segmentation of Customer Loyalty
• 2.7 Factors Affecting Customer Loyalty
• Reference

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 Research Design
• 3.3 Sources of Data
• 3.4 Population of the Study
• 3.5 Sample and Sampling Techniques
• 3.6 Research Instrument
• 3.7 Restatement of Hypotheses
• 3.8 Method of Data Analysis

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

• 4.0 Introduction
• 4.2 Personal Characteristics of the Respondent

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

• 5.0 Introduction
• 5.1 Summary of Findings
• 5.2 Conclusion
• 5.3 Recommendation
• Reference
• APPENDIX
• QUESTIONNAIRE
• SECTION A
• SECTION B

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

A multitude of companies today has already identified the need to create a loyal customer base and acknowledges that maintaining existing customers and extending business with them is significantly less expensive than acquiring new customers.

Customer loyalty gained importance when the classic marketing paradigm with its instrumental and transactional orientation proved unsuitable in the context of longer-term business relationships. Instead, the relationship marketing approach, which is specifically concerned with the study of relational ex-changes, gained importance within research, serving as a conceptual foundation for the majority of customer loyalty researchers.

The question of how loyalty develops has been subject to an abundance of research, leading to an expansive body of literature on loyalty determinants. The extant literature exploring different factors and their constituent effects on loyalty, however, reveals a strong focus on consumer goods and industrial equipment settings, while industrial services have received relatively little attention so far. In addition, the majority of articles incorporates merely a few potential determinants and thus fails to draw a comprehensive picture of the mechanisms of customer loyalty formation.

Just like other businesses, logistics service providers (LSPs) are faced with increasing competitive pressure that urges them to concentrate not only on operational business processes, but also on an efficient and effective customer management.

One way to meet this challenge of rapid growth and expansion, according to Langley et al. (2005) is to focus on establishing, maintaining, and developing relationships with customers.

An often proposed driver of logistics outsourcing is the need to develop and maintain competitive advantage, which customers of LSPs intend to achieve through concentrating on core competencies and re-engineering.

I also discover another important driver is the ongoing globalization, which several authors regard as the most important challenge that companies are facing.

Companies that outsource logistics activities increasingly try to consolidate the number of LSPs they use globally. Therefore, LSPs do not only have to devise sustainable growth strategies, but also have to develop intercultural management competencies, a challenge hardly addressed in LSP management literature. While intercultural management deals with the influence of culture on management styles in different countries, it is also arguable whether a one best way management paradigm is applicable even within national confines. LSPs’ customers are extremely diverse and similarly, relationships between LSPs and their customers can be expected to exhibit momentous differences. As such, it is a crucial management issue for LSPs to design their customer loyalty efforts in a manner that accounts for both cultural context and different relationship characteristics.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

The high cost of service and customers’ dissatisfaction over product services have becomefactors affecting most Logistic Service Providers [LSP] in Nigeria. This study identifies how LSPs can improve their conventional approaches to quality service through customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.

Most LSPs in Nigeria are lagging behind in respect of performance indicator. Inspite of the high cost of delivery, LSPs still delay deliveries due to poor logistics. This dissatisfy customers and inturn makes it difficult for them to be loyal to the company..

Hence this research work tends to examine the problems associated with DHL Nigeria and proffer suggestive solutions to these problems.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

As outlined in the preceding section, LSPs are confronted with diverse management challenges that result from continuous growth, globalization, and customer diversity. The aim of this study therefore is to identify determinants of customer loyalty in relationship to service rendered by LSPs with special reference to DHL Nigeria.

The objectives of this research work includes:

1. Investigate study on customer level of satisfaction in towards DHL Express.
2. To identify the loyalty of customer towards DHL Express.
3. To measure the specific reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction in with DHL Express.
4. Examine the interface of marketing and logistics at DHL Nigeria
5. Examine the mechanisms underlying loyalty in the logistics outsourcing context at DHL.
6. To identify the recommendations of DHL Express to others by existing loyal customers.

1.4 Research Questions

Research questions are meant to generate possible answers to different aspects of the research problem and they should be clearly stated such that they act as guides in identification, collection and analysis of relevant data. In order to achieve the purpose of this research study, the study will attempt to provide answers to the following research questions.

1. Is there any relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers?
2. Is there significant relationship between quality service delivery and customer loyalty?
3. What is the effectiveness of quality service on customer satisfaction?
4. Does efficient and effective competitive advantage affect customer interest?
5. Does new service control development programmes have impact on customer satisfaction?
6. Does service quality and customer satisfaction affect the growth and profitability which the organization achieves?

1.5 Statement of Hypotheses

Hypothesis is a tentative answer to a research question. It is a conjectural statement about the relationships that exist between two or more variables which needs to be tested empirically before they can be accepted or rejected. In a research work, hypotheses are never proved or disproved, they are either supported (i.e. accepted) or rejected. To provide answer to the research questions arising from this study, the following hypotheses are postulated.

Hypothesis One

• HO; There is no significant relationship between quality service delivery and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers
• H1; There is significant relationship between quality service delivery and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers

Hypothesis Two

• HO; There is no relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers
• H1; There is relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Service Providers

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is to ensure that Logistic Service Providers create better image for the customer. The study will help the Logistic of controlling their activities in respect to high quality service standard.

Hence, the service quality and customer satisfaction survey would give a comparison test to validate service performance measures with DHL Nigeria. This study will also be useful to students for further research, and other Logistic Service Providers as inducing factors to customer patronage and the importance of quality control in everyday activities.

1.7 Scope of the Study

Scope of the study is mainly to examine the current level of customer satisfaction and the loyalty of the customer towards the company. Also to investigate if the quality of service delivery is satisfactory to customers of DHL Nigeria.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of conducting this research work, it is expected that the following will constitute impediment to the effective conduct of this study.

1. Availability of relevant literatures and textbooks
2. Time constrains
3. Financial constraints
4. Inaccessible and inadequate data
5. Inadequate information given by the case study firm.
6. Some customers have lack of time, so they may not communicate properly.

1.9 Historical Background of Case Study

DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net company of Germany that provides international Mail, Express, Logistics and Finance. The company was founded in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn. The trio initially provided a courier service between the Continental United States and Hawaii then expanded the business from there.

In 1998, Deutsche Post World Net began to acquire shares in DHL, finally reached majority ownership in 2001, and completed the purchase in 2002. DHL’s global headquarters are located in Bonn and London (its Excel subsidiary). Headquarters for the Americas are located in Plantation, Florida, while its Asia Pacific & EEMEA headquarters are located respectively in Singapore & Bahrain/Brussels.

DHL owns its own cargo airlines, European Air Transport, originally based in

Brussels, and DHL Air, based at the East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom.

1.10 Definition of Terms

Product Quality:

Product quality can be analyzed under the concept of two different perspectives, objectives quality and perceived quality (Brunso et al., 2005). The objective to measure the quality is determined by intrinsic and extrinsic attributes. The intrinsic or the inner attributes refers to something that are related to the physical of the product (color, appearance and etc) whereas perceived quality or extrinsic attributes exist in the form of non-physical but related to the product (brand name, stamp of quality, product information and etc).

Customer Satisfaction:

Customer satisfaction has been defined in various ways, but the conceptualization, which appears to have achieved the widest acceptance, is that satisfaction is a post-choice evaluative judgment of a specific transaction (Bastos and Gallego, 2008). Customer satisfaction is the result of a customer’s perception of the value received in a transaction or relationship – where value equals perceived service quality relative to price and customer acquisition costs (Hallowell, 1996; Heskett et al., 1990; Blanchard and Galloway, 1994).

Loyalty:

Aaker and Keller, 1990 believe that loyalty is closely associated with various factors, one of the main ones being the experience of use. Customers may be loyal owing to high switching barriers related to technical, economical or psychological factors which make it costly or difficult for the customer to change

Customer Loyalty :

This can be defined as the faithful behaviour of clients to a company or organisation. Customer loyalty implies that even if companies make minor errors or mistakes, customers are still willing to do business with them or maintain relations.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.0 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the project work based on the findings from the research analysis. Conclusions are drawn based on same results and suggested recommendations are proffered to both the DHL Express and the entire logistic service providers.

5.1 Summary of Findings

This research work examined Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty In Logistics Services with special reference to DHL Express, Lagos.

The project has undertook the general introduction into the research work led to the review of various literature that relates to the major variables involved in the research work.

The result of the findings from the analysis can be summarized as follows:

1. There is significant relationship between quality service delivery and customer loyalty in Logistic Services.
2. Over the past years loyalty towards DHL Express has grown stronger.
3. DHL Express Values people & Relationships ahead of Short-term goals.
4. There is relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Services.
5. The effectiveness of DHL services has positive effect on customer satisfaction
6. Performance and reliability of the logistic company have impact on customer satisfaction
7. Service quality and customer satisfaction may affect the growth and profitability of a Logistic Service Provider.
8. Organization achievements have impact on customer satisfaction

5.2 Conclusion

From the result of data collected and analyzed the following conclusion can be drawn.

1. DHL Express has been very effective and efficient; also due to the fact that they value people and relationship, they’ve gained loyalty of many customers.
2. From the research analysis it could be concluded that there is a strong relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty in Logistic Services. Once customers are satisfied by the service of a Logistic Service Provider, they become loyal to that LSP.
3. It could be deduced that organizational achievements have impact on customer satisfaction. The historical achievement of an LSP makes customers see them has been reliably and build confidence in them.
4. Finally, it could be concluded that, Employees’ condition of work and service play a vital role on customer satisfaction. Once the employees are satisfied with the job, they will put their best to give customers the highest satisfaction.

5.3 Recommendations

On the basis of the findings, data analysis and summary of findings the following measures are hereby recommended to ameliorate the various problems earlier identified.

1. Logistic Service Providers should reach out to steady customers either by an email newsletter, monthly flier, a remindercard for a tune up, or a holiday greeting card.
2. LSP should go the extra distance and meet customer needs. Train the staff to do the same. Customers remember being treated well.
3. Loyalty works from the top down. LSP should be loyal to employees, they will feel positively about their jobs and pass that loyalty along to your customers.
4. LSP should train employees in the manner that you want them to interact with customers. Empower employees to make decisions that benefit the customer.
5. Product Awareness: LSPs should Know what their steady patrons purchase and keep these items in stock. Add other products and/or services that accompany or compliment the products that your regular customers buy regularly. And make sure staff understands everything they can about the products.
6. Reliability: If a purchase will arrive on Wednesday, deliver it on Wednesday. Be reliable. If something goes wrong, let customers know immediately and compensate them for their inconvenience.
7. Be Flexible: LSPs should try to solve customer problems or complaints to the best of ability. Excuses — such as “That’s our policy” — will lose more customers then setting the store on fire.
8. People over Technology: The harder it is for a customer to speak to a human being when he or she has a problem, the less likely it is that you will see that customer again.

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