Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lm Hng Phong
Testing a Model of
CUSTOMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY
In The Vietnamese Banking Service
MASTERS THESIS
In
Business Administration
Ology code: 60.34.05
Supervisor
Dr. Trn H Minh Qun
Acknowledgement
This research project would not have been possible without the support of many
people. Firstly I wish to express my deep sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Tran
Ha Minh Quan for his invaluable advices and helps. Without him, this thesis could not
have been completed.
Special thanks to all instructors without whose knowledge and assistance this
study would not have been successful. My debt is also acknowledged to Dr. Barry
Clough from Dragon-Mekong-CTU for his kindness and help in English editing.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude and honor to my dear parents for
not only the love they devote to me but also for the time I took from them which
should have been my devotion to them in their aged time.
My thanks would also go to all of my classmates, my colleagues, especially my
old pals, Nguyen Thanh Trung and Ms Dang Hai Yen for all of their friendship and
encouragement.
I also wish to thank my friends in Vietcombank, VPBank, Navibank and Tien
Phong bank for their great support. My thanks would also go to the respondents,
without them, my thesis could not have been done.
Finally, my greatest thanks would go to my dear wife, Vu Thi Thuy Duong and
my two sons, Vu and Phuc who are my whole life and are the greatest inspiration and
encouragement for me to overcome all difficulties through the duration of my study.
Abstract
This study reports on the research results by testing the model of customerbased brand equity proposed by Martensen & Grnholdt (2004) into banking industry
of Vietnam. A study of 295 respondents from two bank brands was conducted in Can
Tho city. Multiple linear regression technique was used to test the hypotheses and
research model. According to the results, the original model was applicable in
Vietnamese retail banking service with some adaptation. Service quality and price were
confirmed to have positive impacts on both rational and emotional evaluations.
However, the other associations such as brand differentiation, brand promise and trust
and credibility were found significant in relation with only either rational evaluation or
emotional evaluation. The different weights of the relationships between brand
associations and brand evaluations, and between brand evaluations and customer-brand
relationships, have some implications for bank managers who might use them as a
source of reference for CRM strategy. The study also provided a modified model of
customer-based brand equity that could be used as a point of departure for those who
would like to conduct a further research into brand equity in banking industry in
Vietnam.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Acknowledgement.............................................................................................................i
Abstract ............................................................................................................................ii
TABLE OF CONTENT ................................................................................................. iii
LIST OF FIGURES..........................................................................................................v
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................1
1.2 Research background..............................................................................................1
1.3 Problem statement .................................................................................................2
1.4 Research objective..................................................................................................3
1.5 Scope and methodology of the study .....................................................................4
1.5.1 Scope of the study............................................................................................4
1.5.2 Research Method .............................................................................................5
1.6 Structure of the study..............................................................................................5
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...............................................................................7
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................7
2.2 A brand versus a product........................................................................................7
2.3 Brand equity .........................................................................................................11
2.3.1 Brand associations .........................................................................................13
2.3.2 Brand evaluations .........................................................................................19
2.3.3 Customer-brand relationship .........................................................................22
2.4 Generation of hypotheses .....................................................................................24
2.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................25
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................27
3.1. Introduction .....................................................................................................27
3.2. Business research ............................................................................................27
3.3. Research design ...............................................................................................28
3.4. Item generation................................................................................................29
3.4.1 Scale to measure rational associations..........................................................29
Scale to measure price. ...............................................................................................31
3.4.2 Scale to measure rational and emotional associations..................................32
Scale to measure brand promise. ................................................................................32
3.4.3 Scale to measure brand evaluations..............................................................32
3.4.4 Scale to measure customer- brand relationship ............................................33
3.5. Pilot test ...........................................................................................................33
3.6. Main survey.....................................................................................................34
3.6.1 Brand selection .............................................................................................35
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iv
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1.1. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................1
FIGURE 1.2. STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY ...........................................................................6
FIGURE 2.1. THE STRUCTURE OF CHAPTER 2....................................................................7
FIGURE 2.2. A BRAND VERSUS A PRODUCT .......................................................................9
FIGURE 2.3 ORIGINAL MODEL OF CUSTOMERBASED BRAND EQUITY .........................14
FIGURE 2.4. RESEARCH MODEL OF CUSTOMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY ......................26
FIGURE 3.1. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 3 ..............................................................................27
FIGURE 3.2. RESEARCH PROCESS ....................................................................................30
FIGURE 4.1. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 3 ..............................................................................38
FIGURE 4.2. AGE GROUPS OF RESPONDENTS ..................................................................39
FIGURE 4.3 FREQUENCY OF TRANSACTIONS ..................................................................40
FIGURE 4.4. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN RATIONAL EVALUATION
AND THE BRAND ASSOCIATIONS ..............................................................................47
LIST OF TABLES
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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
This chapter portrays general introduction for the current study with which research
problem, research objectives and research questions are provided as the rationale for
this study. An introduction to the methodology to be used and the scope of the study is
also addressed in this chapter. At the end of the chapter, the structure of this study is
provided. The Outline of this chapter is shown in figure 1.1
Figure 1.1. Outline of chapter 1
1.1
Introduction
1.2
Research background
1.3
Problem statement
1.4
Research objectives
1.5
1.6
rapidly becoming one of the critical levers for differentiation and hence competitive
advantages. Without doubt, a good brand increases value for a particular product or
service, and thus it is called brand equity.
In marketing literature, brand equity is defined and measured differently. Brand
equity is either conceptualized or measured, or both. Despite the fact that there are
different conceptions about brand equity, however, there are two major viewpoints
from which to consider brand equity: the financial perspective and customer-based
perspective. Financial perspectives focus on the financial outcome for the firm (Taylor
et al, 2005), for example, by using certain techniques to extract the brand equitys
value from the intangible value of the firm. The other perspective focuses largely on
the knowledge and relations that customers have with the brand (Aaker, 1991; Keller,
1993, 2001). Compared to the former perspective, the later is more fruitful in
marketing literature.
Despite the important role of brand equity, however, much attention and efforts
are devoted to the brand equity in goods marketing, while research into its contribution
to service, especially in banking industry, is very limited.
Recent years have seen a significant and rapid growth of the banking industry in
Vietnam, especially in the growth of the Vietnamese commercial join stock banks. This
trend opens up abundant choices for the customer, but also banks with fierce
competition, so banks now face the crucial problem of customer switch.
In this circumstance, the disadvantage of Vietnamese banks is apparently not only
weakness in financial strength, technology, diversification of products and services, but
also insufficient attention in branding. Branding strategy is one of the most critical
weaknesses of Vietnamese banks (Tap Chi Ke Toan, 2007).
1.3 Problem statement
Building a strong brand with significant (brand) equity is seen as providing a host of
possible benefits to a firm, including greater customer loyalty (Keller, 2001). Brand
equity is one of the most important marketing concepts and has been an area of interest
for marketing academics and practitioners as well. There are a numbers of models of
brand equity in common marketing settings (Farquhar,1989; David A. Aaker, 1991;
Kevin L. Keller, 1993, 2001; Ambler et al, 2002; Netemeyer et al, 2004; Martesen and
Grnholdt, 2004) or in financial service perspectives (Taylor et al, 2005). However, to
my best knowledge, there is no model of brand equity that particularly focuses on
banking service.
It might be worthwhile and necessary to build a brand equity model in banking
service. Brand equity in banking service deserves elaboration in some regards. First
and foremost, unlike other financial firms, banks act as intermediaries between
borrowers and lenders and, in so doing, they offer a unique form of asset
transformation (Shelagh Heffernan, 2005). Bank transactions usually involve a large
sum of money and hence, trust and price (in terms of interest rates) appear to be
critical matters in the industry. Second, bank transactions, especially lending, are more
complicated than transactions for other products and services. For example, before a
loan is approved, it takes time and effort to get through an assessment process that is
strictly regulated (by the State bank and/or by laws). Finally, most of the brand equity
models are conceptualized by Western authors and validated in developed countries.
This poses the question of whether or not these models work well in a developing
country like Vietnam.
1.4 Research objective
As noted above, in a highly competitive banking sector, a strong brand is likely to
sustain competitive advantage for the bank that holds the brand. It is widely agreed in
the literature that strong brand increases customers trust of the invisible purchase.
Strong brands enable customers to better visualize and understand intangible products.
They reduce customers perceived monetary, social, or safety risk in buying services
(Berry 2000) and a good brand name is a first step that will draw consumers to buy (or
foster intent to buy), and can make a substantial contribution to brand equity (Aaker,
1991)
This research aims to apply the model of brand equity developed by Martensen
and Grnholdt (2004) and test this model in the banking sector of Vietnam as an
emerging economy.
To confirm the applicability of the model, this study will determine the
contribution of each of the brand associations to the customers brand evaluations and
ultimately to the loyalty that customers have with the brand from the perspective of
customer- brand relationships in the Vietnamese banking industry.
To serve this task, two questions need to be answered:
Q1. Is the CBBE model developed by Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) applicable
in the Vietnamese banking service?
Q2. What factors nurture customer-based brand equity in Vietnamese banking
service?
1.5 Scope and methodology of the study
1.5.1 Scope of the study
In the banking sector of Vietnam, there are four types of bank: the State-owned banks
(including commercial banks and specialized banks such as social policy bank);
100% foreign-invested banks; joint venture banks and the rest are Vietnamese
commercial joint stock banks.
The model of customer-based brand equity in this thesis is intentionally applied in
the context of the Vietnamese commercial joint stock banks. Only this type of banks is
targeted because in the course of globalization and economic integration, all stateowned commercial banks are planned to be equitized, i.e. sooner or later they will
become commercial joint stock banks. Second, foreign banks are ignored because the
model is intended to be tested with banks in an emerging economy. In addition,
customer information from foreign banks is usually confidential and hard to obtain.
Finally, banks for special purposes owned by the State are not taken into account due
to their special characteristic. For example, credit is rationed by the government for
some social purposes.
1.5.2 Research Method
This study was conducted in Can Tho city with two phases: a pilot test and the main
study. In the first phase, a qualitative approach was employed in order to explore
whether the scale for measuring the constructs of brand equity were suitable in
Vietnamese culture and the Vietnamese banking service. Some amendments have been
made where needed. This step was carried out by using group discussion techniques.
A quantitative approach was then used in the second phase. Data were collected
by interviewing banks customers. The purpose of this phase was to re-assess the
reliability of the measurement scales using Cronbach alpha coefficient and Exploratory
Factor Analysis (EFA). Multiple Linear Regression analysis (MLR) was employed to
test the research model and hypotheses. SPSS software version 16 was used for data
analysis. Chapter 3 will discuss the methodology for this study in more detail.
1.6 Structure of the study
The structure of this study is shown in figure 1.2
Introduction
Chapter 2
Literature Review
Chapter 3
Methodology
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
2.1
Introduction
2.2
2.3
Brand equity
2.4
Generation of hypotheses
2.5
Conclusion
strategic assets of their organizations that can provide long lasting competitive
advantage.
In the ever-demanding global business climate of the twenty-first century, it is critical
that we continue to protect and enhance GEs unique competitive advantage - our name
and reputation.
Robert C. Wright Vice Chairman & Executive Officer of GE
Aaker illustrates the distinctions between a brand and a product as shown in the
figure below.
Figure 2.2. A brand versus a product
BRAND
Organizational
Associations
Country of
Origin
User Imagery
Brand
Personality
PRODUCT
Scope
Attributes
Quality
Uses
SelfExpressive
Benefits
Symbols
Brand-Customer
Relationships
Emotional
Benefits
What makes a brand such powerful tool? Brands have become a major player in
modern society and in fact they show up everywhere (Kapferer, 2008). According to
Keller (1998), brands benefit both the consumers and manufacturers. For consumers, a
brand is a signal of quality; it helps identify products and services and assign
responsibility to manufacturers or service providers; a brand is also the risk and search
cost reducer; it is even can be used as a symbolic device(Aaker,1996; Keller, 1998)
Brands also help manufacturers to identify and simplify handling or tracing
products. Brands legally protect unique features of a product or service that bears the
name. A brand is also a manufacturer or service providers promise of quality and
especially those functional benefits that the consumer expects; the unique associations
endowed to the brand which might provide competitive advantage for the firm; and,
maybe the benefit of most concern to shareholders, that it is a source of financial
returns.
Banks are special institutions. First and foremost, they are the intermediaries
between lenders and borrowers and thus their operation involves a process of asset
transformation. Second, liquidity is an important service offered to customers who
participate in the payments system (Heffernan, 2005). In so doing, on the one hand,
banks serve different types of customer with differing needs, which in turn makes it
difficult to build a brand that is relevant to all groups ( Stephen Root, 2003; Kapferer,
2008); on the other, by nature, different banks offer similar products and services. As
a result, this similarity makes it critically difficult to create product differentiation.
With banks the question is: is it necessary to build a strong brand? The answer is
twofold. First, in terms of brand as the institution, a banks brand is extremely
important. As intermediaries, banks usually deal with a large sum of money and
therefore banks rely heavily on their reputation, and banking only works if the
customer is willing to trust the bank, argues Uan Percy of Brighten Consultant. This
argument is also partly in line with the argument of Lam et tal (2005) that trust plays an
important role in developing relationships. A good brand is a source of trust as trust is
formed and originates from the result of past experience with the brand (Elena and
Josel, 2005).
Second, as mentioned above, the similarity of products between banks and their
short life cycle makes it very difficult or even impossible to brand an individual bank
product. Thus, building a strong institutional brand (the banks brand) helps banks
increase their competitive advantage and gain more customer loyalty. This is also
consistent with the suggestion of Berry et al (1988) that service brands should be the
firms name and should not be individualized.
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identity: the brand as a product, the brand as an organization, the brand as a person and
the band as a symbol). The fifth component is other proprietary brand assets such as
patents, trademarks and channel relationships.
Keller (1993) generalized the concept of brand equity by the CBBE model. He
defines CBBE as the differential effect that brand knowledge has on consumer
response to the marketing of that brand.
According to Keller (1993), a brand is said to have positive CBBE if the
consumer reacts more favorably to the marketing of the brand than they do to an
unknown or fictitious version of the product or service in the same context. On the
other side, a brand is said to have negative CBBE if the consumer reacts less favorably
to the marketing of the brand under the same situation. This effect differs based on how
favorable, strong and unique brand associations are evoked in the customers mind.
Recently, Steven A. Taylor, Gary L. Hunter and Deborah L. Lindberg (2005)
proposed a model of brand equity (customer-based) for financial services. According to
this model, brand equity is derived from the customers perception of the quality and
thereby the brand value. Other components of their brand equity construct are hedonic
brand attitude, utilitarian brand attitude and brand uniqueness. According to the model,
brand satisfaction and loyalty intention are the consequences, and positively relate to
the brand equity.
However, the current study adopts the CBBE model developed by Martensen and
Grnholdt (2004). This model captures aspects closely related to banking services.
Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) categorize brand associations into two types: 1)
rational association and 2) rational and emotional association.
The rational associations are in connection with the customers perceptions about
the functional benefits, tangible aspects or the cost-value evaluation. These
associations are very important in banking services. For example, price is a key factor
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that affects a customers decision to stay with a bank (Lam et al, 2005; Colgate and
Hedge, 2001; Keaveney, 1995; Bogomolova and Romaniuk, 2005). In other research,
Spiros et al (2003) suggest that, with regard to financial services, consumers tend to
become more involved, they develop the habit of shopping around' to find the best
bargain.
The emotional associations related to either the intangible or tangible aspect. For
example, a customer may feel confident or recognized (social approval) when she or he
deals with a great banks brand (emotional). This emotion, in turn, is the result of
consuming excellent service offered by the bank (performance of the product and
service). These associations will be discussed in details in the below.
2.3.1 Brand associations
2.3.1.1 Rational associations
Though the product quality is a component of the original model of CBBE; however,
banking is a service-dominat industry and all banking products, as termed in the
industry, are actually services or packages of service. Therefore, it is argued here that
the product quality suggested by Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) is not necessarily to
be included in the research model which is soly intended to apply in the banking
service. Instead, this study focus on service quality as a component that speaks for the
quality aspect of the model.
Service quality
Service quality has become an increasingly important factor for success and survival in
the banking sector (Cui, Lewis and Park, 2003). Its a critical factor that affects an
organizations competitiveness and an essential determinant that enable a company to
differentiate itself from competitors (Spiros et al, 2003).
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Rational associations
Brand evaluations
Product quality
Service quality
Rational
Evaluation
Price
Customer-Brand
Relationship
Promise
Emotional
Evaluation
Differentiation
Trust and
Credibility
Without doubt, service quality is a key driver of customer satisfaction and thereby
loyalty. Olsen and Johnson (2003) view service quality as a key psychological
reaction to the value that a service company provides. Same as with physical products,
customers perceive service quality differently. This results from the difference between
perceived quality and objective quality and can be expressed by an equation of
performance and expectations, service quality = [performance expectations] (Cronin
and Taylor, 1992; Parasuraman et al, 1988).
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Martensen & Grnholdt (2004) measure the service quality by three criteria:
assurance, responsiveness and empathy. However, with a service-dominant industry
like banking, it seems that service quality should be examined from a broader
perspective. Thus, to have an insight into the consumers perception about service
quality in banking, the current study adapted the construct of Spiros et al (2003) for
measuring service quality in banking services.
Price
Price is one of the elements of the traditional marketing mix, and price is often stressed
as a driver in customer satisfaction and loyalty models (Johnson & Gustafsson, 2000;
Johnson et al., 2001 cited in Martensen & Grnholdt, 2004). Keller (1993) views
price as a non-product-related attribute because it does not speak much for the product
performance or service function. However, price is an important attribute association.
In most cases, it is considered an important criterion for purchase.
In their model of CBBE, Netemeyer et al (2004) suggest that willingness to pay a
price premium is a core/primary facet of CBBE. By testing and extending the
Netemeyer et al (2004) CBBE model, Taylor et al (2005) confirm that willingness to
pay a price premium is positively related to the brand value. They also argue that brand
loyalty intention is positively related to the willingness to pay a price premium.
There is another approach to consider price premium. According to Aaker
(1996b), price premium may be negative. Customers might expect a certain level of
price advantage in a brand (for example 10% lower) compared to other higher-priced
brands, and be willing to buy this brand if the advantage was greater 15% for instance.
This negative price premium could reflect substantial brand equity for the lower-priced
brand.
In banking service, price is indicated in terms of loan interest rate, credit interest
rate and other charges and fees that customers pay to use the bank facilities. Price in
15
banking service is a sensitive factor. Research into the small and medium sized
businesses indicates that pricing of a loan facility (e.g. an overdraft) has a strong
impact on customer loyalty (Lam et al, 2005). This is in line with Keaveney (1995)
that one of the three major factors for switching is a pricing problem, including noncompetitiveness of the fee and interest rates, which capture 17% among other reasons.
However, dissatisfied with this result, Colgate and Hedge suggest further research into
the role of pricing. Responding to this call, Bogomolova and Romaniuk (2005) carried
out a study of the business banking industry and found that the top two reasons for
switching to another bank are getting better deal with the other bank and the fees are
too high.
2.3.1.2 Rational and emotional associations
Brand promise
A brand is essentially a marketer's promise to deliver a predictable product or service
performance (Kotler and Keller, 2006). Ambler (1992) defines a brand as the promise
of the bundle of attributes that someone buys which provides satisfaction. The
attributes that make up a brand may be real or illusory, rational or emotional, tangible
or invisible. This is in line with Kapferer (2008) who argues that consumers dont
just buy the brand name; they buy branded products that promise tangible and
intangible benefits created by the efforts of the company.
Why is brand promise important? It is widely agreed in the literature that one
determinant of customer satisfaction is the gap between customers experiences and
their expectations (Oliver, 1980; Parasuraman, 1988; Kapferer, 2008) and brand
promise sets up this benchmark.
Brands thus become credible only through the persistence and repetition of their
value proposition (Kapferer, 2008). In other words, brand promise should be credible
and deliverable. This is in line with Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) that promise
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should be the hub of value creation for the customer. The unique values should mirror
meaningful promises to the consumer promises that are credible and that the brand
can fulfill.
Take FedEx as an example.
Federal Express burst on the scene in the early eighties. What was it that made Fred
Smiths new company such a sensation? The answer: It got packages where they were
going by 10:30 am the next day, no ifs, ands, or buts. That was Federal Expresss
come-on to a world that previously knew only the Post Office.
It was FedExs
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eventually the consumers intention to buy the companys products. Therefore, the
company should make a real effort to find out what they need to do to create high
credibility among the consumers.
Brand differentiation
The brand should differentiate itself from its competitors and offer the market
something unique. Uniqueness is defined as the degree to which customers feel the
brand is different from competing brandshow distinct it is relative to competitors
(Netemeyer et al, 2004). However, the differences should be perceived as meaningful
to the consumer (Martensen and Grnholdt, 2004). Creating unique brand associations
is in line with creating points of difference when positioning the brand. Besides
addressing the distinctive benefits a brand will deliver to its consumers, target
consumers must also find these benefits personally relevant and important (Kotler and
Keller, 2006).
Having a bank brand viewed as a corporate brand makes it possible for a bank to
position itself in the minds of the consumers with a broader and more varied image
than it does through a particular product or service. Keller (2000) argues: a corporate
brand is distinct from a product brand in that it can encompass a much wider range of
associations. A corporate brand thus is a powerful means for firms to express
themselves in a way that is not tied into their specific products or services.
2.3.2 Brand evaluations
2.3.2.1 Rational evaluations
Brand value
Brands should create value (Martensen and Grnholdt , 2004). This value is
perceived by comparing the benefit that the consumer expects to receive to their
experience with a particular brand. This benefit is either functional or emotional
(Keller, 1993). If the benefit is less than expected, the consumer will be dissatisfied. In
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other words, the customer compares the quality that they perceived with their actual
experience with the brand to evaluate the value they receive by consuming the brand.
Another way that value is created is based on the relationship between quality and
perceived price (Martensen and Grnholdt, 2004). In this regard, Zeithaml (1988)
describes four consumers perceptions about value: (1) value is low price, (2) value is
the quality I get for the price , (3) value is what I get for what I give and (4) value is
whatever I want in a product (this is in line with the previous perspective of value).
Regardless of what perspective is taken into account, value is a subjective term
that totally depends on the perception of the customer. [I]t is the individual customers
preferences that determine whether the value is low or high (Martensen and
Grnholdt, 2004).
This evaluation is rational as the customer subjectively judges the value of a
brand based on the benefit that they intentionally expected or the trade-off that they
receive for what they give. According to Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) there exists
a strong relationship between perceived value and customer loyalty. They argue that,
before buying a product or service, a customer usually seeks for possibilities and
considers alternatives that live up to his/her requirements. The one with highest value
will possibly be chosen.
Customer satisfaction
Satisfaction does not always lead to loyalty; however, it is widely agreed in the
literature that satisfaction is the key precursor to customer loyalty. According to Oliver
(1999), satisfaction is defined as pleasurable fulfillment. That is, the consumer senses
that consumption fulfills some need, desire, goal, or so forth and that this fulfillment is
pleasurable.
The above-mentioned definition is in line with Tse & Wilton, 1988; Parasuraman
et al, 1988; Kotler, 2000 that satisfaction results from the difference between prior
20
expectations and the actual performance of the product or service as perceived after the
consumption.1
However, in banking services, with a variety of products and services, it is hard to
evaluate the influence of satisfaction on the customer-brand relationship just through a
single product or service. Thus, for satisfaction to have an affect on loyalty, individual
satisfaction episodes should become aggregated or blended (Oliver 1999). Therefore,
satisfaction mentioned in this study is overall satisfaction.2
2.3.2.2 Emotional evaluations
In most cases, customers buy a brand for not only functional benefits but also
emotional and self-expressive benefit (Aaker, 1996). Martensen and Grnholdt (2004)
argue that Brands should provoke excitement and evoke a higher experience than
simply product-function. Brands should create positive feelings with us we need to
feel touched emotionally. According to these authors, a brand should also create
intensive and fantastic experience to the customer. This feeling helps to consolidate the
customer-brand relationship to a point of connectedness that it is a rare experience for
that customer to purchase anyplace else (feeling evaluation).
In the CBBE model, Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) also include selfexpressive benefits and social approval as a sub component of brand evaluation.
They argue that a brand can help a person to recognize himself or herself (or to be
recognized) within a group that he or she thinks that he or she belongs to, and to show
personal values and attitudes through the brands that that person buy and use.
However, unlike in physical products and other services, the similarity of
1
There is difference between satisfaction and perceived service quality. According to Parasuraman (1988),
perceived service quality is a global judgment, or attitude, relating to the superiority of the service, whereas
satisfaction is related to a specific transaction.
2
Satisfaction with product, interpersonal relation, price, service provider performance (Gregory and Michael ,
2004)
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products and services between banks may mean that self-expressive benefits are seen
as less important than social approval. The argument is that, as mentioned previously,
the customer may find it important to deal with a great bank brand in order to be
recognized in a certain social status or to generate trust to their partners. With this
perspective, the customer may wants to maintain their relation with the great bank as
they can not find this kind of benefit with less well known brands.
2.3.3 Customer-brand relationship
Research on brand equity generally agrees that the final brand-building step is
developing customer brand relationships or bonding, and that an important element in
this connection is loyalty (Martensen and Grnholdt, 2004).
Aaker (1991) views brand loyalty as a dimension of brand equity. In the CBBE
pyramid developed by Keller (2001), brand loyalty is at the top of the building blocks
and is characterized in term of intensive relationship.
Despite its apparent benefits to any firm, loyalty is viewed quite differently from
different perspectives. This might result from the variety of the customers perceptions
about the value that a brand delivers. Jacoby & Chestnut (1978) define brand loyalty as
a result of two components: 1) A favorable attitude toward the brand, and 2)
Repurchase of the brand over time. (Cited in Martensen and Grnholdt, 2004)
One of the broadest definitions of loyalty is of Oliver (1999) which describes
loyalty as a deeply help commitment to re-buy or re-patronize a preferred
product/service consistently in the future, thereby causing repetitive same-brand or
same brand set purchasing, despite situational influences and marketing efforts having
the potential to cause switching behavior.
According to Oliver (1999), customers become loyal in four phases. At the
shallowest level, called cognitive loyalty, loyalty might result from the belief of the
customer in the brand. The brand information is either retrieved from vicarious
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Customer loyalty has two sides to it, which on the one hand results in an effective
continuation and extension of the business partnership, and on the other hand in a
recommendation of the supplier, the brand, the product or the services for other
potential customers. According to them, customer loyalty takes place when the
customer keeps on maintaining the relation with the company in terms of repurchases
and purchase intention which can predict future behavior, and on the other hand, the
loyalty will result in re-patronizing the company to purchase other products.
However, Martensen and Grnholdt (2004) also agree that loyalty is also portrayed
23
24
relationship. i.e when the customers have a high liking for a brand, they tend to be
more satisfied with the brand.
H11: Rational evaluation is positively related to emotional evaluation
Customer- brand relationships
According to this model, customer-brand relationships do not directly relate to brand
associations but through the customers evaluations. Therefore, another set of
hypotheses are proposed:
H12: Customer- brand relationships is positively related to rational evaluation
H13: Customer- brand relationships is positively related to emotional evaluation
2.5 Conclusion
This chapter provides theoretical framework for the research. However, with the
reason regarding the product quality aspect as discussed above, a research model
without the product quality component is suggested below (Figure 2.4). The researcher
also assumes that there should be some adjustments of the measurement scale in order
to make the research model more suitable for the banking industry in Vietnam.
Chapter 3 will discuss this matter in more details.
25
Brand Evaluations
Service quality
H1
Rational
Evaluation
H2
Price
H12
H3
H4
H5
Customer-Brand
Relationship
H11
H6
H7
Promise
H8
H9
Differentiation
H13
Emotional
Evaluation
H10
Trust and
Credibility
Rational and emotional associations
Source: Adapted from Martensen & Grnholdt (2004)
26
Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1. Introduction
The previous chapter provides theoretical framework for the research. This chapter
provides an overview of business research and introduces research methodology used
to build and assess the measurement scales, the statistical techniques employed to
analyze the data, and testing the research hypotheses and research model as well. The
chapter outline is shown in figure 3.1
Figure 3.1. Outline of chapter 3
3.1
Introduction
3.2
Business research
3.3
Research design
3.4
Item generation
3.5
Pilot test
3.6
Main study
3.7
Conclusion
27
Based on the purpose of research, researchers often use one of the following three
types.
Exploratory study: This is the basic level of research. Researchers use this type
when there is a need to clarify the understanding of a problem, or when the researcher
is uncertain about which theory is relevant or can be applied to explain the nature of
phenomena.
Descriptive study: The objective of descriptive studies is to portray an accurate
profile of persons, events or situations (Robson, 1993). This may be an extension of
an exploratory research. It is necessary to have a clear picture of the characteristics of
which the data will be collected prior to the collection of the data.
Causal study: In this type of research, the emphasis is on studying a specific
situation or a problem in order to explain the relationships between variables.
Basing on the characteristics of data needed and research purpose, researchers can
choose either qualitative or quantitative approach or a combination of these two types.
Data can be acquired via a variety of strategies such as experiment, survey, case
study, grounded theory or action research.
3.3. Research design
The first step in business research is to determine what objectives the researcher wants
to achieve. Research design then enables the researcher to select appropriate methods
in order to meet the research objectives in the most efficient way.
To measure the customer-based brand equity constructs, the current study
employs a descriptive method. This method was chosen because it allows the
researcher to describe the customers attitude towards the marketing elements for a
brand, describe the relationships among variables(Tho & Trang, 2007)
Data for this study was collected using a survey technique. This technique
28
29
Literature review
Group discussions
Item modifications
Interview
Reliability test
EFA
DROP
Item(s) with item-total
correlation < .3
MLR
DROP
Item(s) with factor
loading < .4
Testing hypotheses
Testing research
model
30
To measure service quality in the banking service, this study adapted the scale
developed by Spiros et al (2003) with which they measured the service quality in
banking service in Greece. Some complement and elimination have been done after
discussion with the bank customers in group discussion. The service quality scale
consists of 14 items as follows
SQ_1: Bank [X] has up to date equipments
SQ_2: Bank [X]s physical facilities are visually appealing.
SQ_3: Bank [X]s employees are well dressed and appear neat.
SQ_4: I find it very convenient with the location of bank [X]
SQ_5: Bank [X] provides its services at the time it promises to do so
SQ_6: When I have problems, bank [X] is sympathetic and reassuring
SQ_7: I receive prompt service from bank [X]s employees
SQ_8: Bank [X]s employees are always willing to help me.
SQ_9: I feel safe in my transaction with bank [X]
SQ_10: Bank [X]s employees are polite
SQ_11: Bank [X]s employees know the banks product and service very well
SQ_12: Bank [X]s employees have necessary knowledge to answer my questions
SQ_13: Bank [X]s employees know what my needs are and how the banks products can
satisfy them
SQ_14: Bank [X]s employees give me personal attention
31
32
Brand X is a lifestyle more than a product or I really identify with people who use
brand X.
Rational evaluation scale
RE_1: Bank [X] provides good value for money
RE_2: Bank [X] greatly meets expectations
RE_3: Overall, I am very satisfied with bank [X]
33
Two mini group discussions were conducted. In the first discussion, four bank
experts including two branch directors and two managers (all were male) from
different banks were invited. The purpose of this step is to examine the clarity the
instrument and to be sure that all survey questions were clear in meaning and sufficient
to cover the research matter in reality, from the perspective of a banking professional.
Some amendments were made after suggestions from bank managers.
The other discussion was conducted with the participation of 5 bank customers,
four male and one female (six were invited but one was absent). The purpose of this
step was the same as that of the first discussion, but in this case from the customers
perspective. Some questions were adjusted on the recommendation of the participants,
for example, to make the terms in the questionnaire more concrete and less negative.
The final version of questionnaire was made in Vietnamese (Appendix 1) and
then was translated back into English (Observed variables).
3.6. Main survey
The main survey was conducted with commercial joint stock banks in Can Tho city,
Vietnam. Firstly, the measures of each constructs were refined by Cronbach alpha
coefficients. The purpose of this test was to provide a preliminary evaluation and
refinement of the measurement scales. Reliability analysis was first used to remove
items with low item-total correlations (<0.3) (Nunnally 1978 - cited in Quan, 2004).
Scales with a Cronbach alpha coefficient equal to or greater than 0.6 are acceptable in
some cases (Nunnally, 1978; Peterson, 1994 quoted in Trong & Ngoc, 2005). Items
those passed the test then were analyzed using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA)
method to determine the actual dimensions of each construct. In this step, items with
factor loadings less than 0.4 were deleted. Finally, the measures retained were run with
multiple linear regressions (MLR) and the results were used to test the research model
and hypotheses.
34
35
36
this study. The focus of this chapter was on the development of the questionnaire and
the analytical methods employed for assessment of the measurement scales and for
data analysis as well. The next chapter will provide the research results and the
findings of the study.
37
4.1 Introduction
The previous chapter provides the methodology that this study employs and the
parameterization of the nine research concepts contained in the CBBE model. This
chapter presents the analysis of results from the main study. Critical tasks of this
chapter are testing the scales, reliability testing and exploratory factor analysis. The
final qualified variables of each construct will be then be analyzed with MLR to test
the research hypotheses. The structure of Chapter 4 is shown in figure 4.1.
Introduction
4.2
Descriptions of sample
4.3
Assessment of scales
4.4
Testing hypotheses
4.5
38
city. Of these, 388 surveys were returned but 93 questionnaires were discarded because
there were many questions unanswered or scored with the same mark. The final sample
consisted of 295 questionnaires, 185 surveys from Vietcombank (62,7%) and the rest
110 surveys from VPBank (37.3%). The sample details are provided in table 4.1
Descriptions of sample
Age groups
Time of
transactions
Frequency of
transactions
Under 30
31 to 45
46 to 60
Over 60
Less than 3 months
From 3 months to 1 year
Over 1 year
Very regularly
Regularly
Sometimes
Accidentally
46 t o 60
14%
O ver 60
3%
U nder 30
42%
31 t o 45
41%
39
Total
Count
295
123
122
42
8
46
57
192
53
90
125
27
Percent
100%
41.69%
41.36%
14.24%
2.71%
15.59%
19.32%
65.08%
17.97%
30.51%
42.37%
9.15%
Accidentally
9%
Very regularly
18%
Sometimes
42%
Regularly
31%
40
Corrected
Cronbach s
Item-Total
Alpha
.488
.884
SQ2 - Bank X 's employees are well dressed and appear neat
.560
.881
.469
.886
.510
.883
.610
.878
.663
.876
.659
.876
.535
.882
.671
.875
SQ11 - Bank [X]'s employees know the bank product and service very well
.589
.879
.596
.879
.594
.879
.595
.879
.756
.856
.725
.868
.764
.854
.785
.848
.581
.775
.717
.626
.612
.743
.698
.768
.722
.741
DF3 - Bank [X] offers advantages that other banks can not
.667
.800
SQ13 - Bank [X]' s employees know what my needs are and how the bank's products can
satisfy them
SQ14 - Bank [X]'s employees give me personal attention
Price scale ( = .888 )
41
.384
.765
.566
.527
.589
.494
.634
.787
.703
.717
.679
.743
EE1 - When thinking of bank [X], I get a positive and warm feeling
.728
.778
.732
.773
.690
.813
RL1 - The next time I am going to transact with a bank, I am going to bank [X] again
.615
.823
.595
.830
.677
.805
.698
.800
RL5 - It is important for me to maintain the relationship with bank [X] in the future.
.680
.805
42
where
Fi : Estimated value of Factor i
Wik : Weight or factor score coefficient
Xk:: variable k
k: Number of variable
There are two common techniques used to extract factors in EFA, principal
components analysis and principal factors analysis. In most cases, these two methods
usually yield very similar results. However, principal components analysis is often
preferred as a method for data reduction, while principal factors analysis is often
preferred when the goal of the analysis is to detect structure (StatSoft, 2008).
The current study employs principal components analysis with varimax rotation
technique. As the ultimate purpose of running EFA in this study is to reduce the
variables for MLR in the later stage, principal component analysis is a better choice.
Principal components analysis with varimax rotation method maximizes the variance
on the new axes; in other words, this combination will minimize numbers of variables
with high factor loading in the same factor, lending itself to easier interpretation (Trong
& Ngoc, 2005).
The results of EFA are shown in table 4.3. There are 10 factors extracted at
Eigenvalues of 1.022 and total explained variance of 70.641. all factor loading are
greater than the cut-off value of 0.4. The result of KMO and Bartlett's Test is also very
high (0.913 at p=0.00). This indicates that EFA is suitable and all measures can be used
for the next analysis.
43
1
0.094
0.008
0.186
0.151
0.103
-0.049
-0.091
-0.039
-0.043
0.163
0.103
0.138
0.203
0.802
0.831
0.808
0.83
0.188
0.107
0.164
0.081
0.032
0.054
0.163
-0.078
-0.123
0.286
0.334
0.321
0.245
0.205
0.087
0.163
0.063
0.042
0.152
0.102
11.404
2
0.175
0.187
0.179
0.747
0.754
0.739
0.685
0.563
0.365
0.202
0.2
0.154
0.164
0.021
0.012
0.019
0.051
0.028
0.197
0.299
0.194
0.08
0.154
0.117
0.152
0.088
0.127
0.098
0.122
0.098
0.033
0.105
0.042
0.199
0.074
0.117
0.071
3.497
3
0.141
0.051
0.155
0.028
0.181
0.065
0.103
0.272
0.092
0.081
0.141
0.133
0.193
0.133
0.09
0.023
0.113
0.138
0.14
0.134
0.135
0.111
0.068
0.004
0.164
0.135
0.217
0.206
0.193
0.236
0.235
0.222
0.602
0.791
0.713
0.706
0.672
2.181
4
0.083
0.339
0.006
0.043
0.151
0.243
0.225
0.316
0.496
0.782
0.743
0.776
0.488
0.105
0.161
0.03
0.085
0.179
0.15
0.193
0.103
0.102
-0.009
0.113
0.001
0.01
0.167
0.058
0.132
0.115
0.181
0.131
0.123
0.067
0.13
0.109
0.119
1.836
5
0.071
-0.052
0.289
-0.088
0.181
0.123
0.171
-0.033
0.192
0.083
0.087
0.165
0.447
0.118
0.114
0.175
0.072
0.253
0.081
-0.006
0.028
0.098
0.245
0.305
-0.016
0.005
0.231
0.113
0.155
0.742
0.723
0.741
0.205
-0.04
0.188
0.313
0.29
1.472
9.369
8.632
8.557
7.976
7.369
44
Component
6
7
0.041
0.067
0.149
0.101
0.132
0.000
0.081
0.058
0.066
0.033
0.138
0.068
0.123
0.248
0.185
-0.05
0.241
0.186
0.14
0.089
-0.027
0.176
-0.004 -0.006
0.137
0.009
0.029
0.175
0.079
0.107
0.047
0.19
0.006
0.164
0.127
0.223
0.25
0.131
0.219
0.048
0.826 -0.009
0.825
0.115
0.737
0.076
-0.04
-0.07
0.156
0.049
0.204
0.12
0.637
0.114
0.731
0.052
0.706
0.066
0.087
0.121
0.203
0.14
0.099
0.229
0.057
0.313
0.02 -0.022
0.158
0.195
0.177
0.05
0.042
0.263
1.319
1.218
6.671
5.703
8
0.131
0.132
-0.075
0.017
0.077
0.14
0.13
0.197
0.083
0.004
0.013
0.072
0.027
0.005
-0.053
-0.007
-0.007
0.018
0.135
0.241
0.1
0.14
0.098
0.636
0.798
0.794
-0.018
0.034
0.103
-0.033
0.156
0.139
0.15
0.092
0.133
0.033
0.021
1.108
9
0.785
0.685
0.691
0.172
0.026
0.149
0.171
0.109
0.325
0.045
0.136
0.057
0.175
0.051
0.024
0.115
0.053
0.081
0.179
0.13
0.063
0.13
0.081
0.03
0.053
0.1
0.05
0.058
0.091
0.11
0.002
0.136
0.1
0.075
0.159
0.079
0.008
1.082
10
0.084
0.075
0.18
0.125
0.175
0.101
0.116
-0.18
-0.028
0.065
0.081
0.263
0.226
0.111
-0.041
0.121
0.16
0.685
0.743
0.618
0.115
0.09
0.233
0.123
0.056
0.073
0.193
0.158
0.056
0.152
0.061
0.033
0.04
0.092
-0.016
0.135
0.202
1.022
5.493
5.472
5.399
The service quality scale was developed basing on the Spiros et al (2004)s scale
which covered all aspects of Parasuraman et al (1988)s service quality measurement.
However, only three components were extracted (see table 4.3). They include three
variables representing the tangible aspects (SQ1, SQ2,SQ4) and the scale is called
tangibles as it was originally termed. The second component (SQ5 to SQ9) is closely
related to the reliability and responsiveness perspective and here referred to as
affectivity. The last component, consisting of 5 variables, SQ10 to SQ14, is
characterized as staff competence.
Factor loading of the variables contained in eight scales (10 components) are all
greater than .4. The lowest is of variable SQ 14 Bank [X]s employees give me
personal attention (0.448). Thus all the variables were then useable. The EFA result for
each scale is provided in table 4.4.
Table 4.4 EFA result for individual measurement scales
Initial Eigenvalues
Scales
Total
% of Variance
Service quality
60.575
60.575
Tangibles
5.730
40.962
3.186
22.756
affectivity
1.464
10.459
3.049
21.779
Staff competence
1.287
9.190
2.246
16.040
KMO=.852 (p=.00)
Price competitiveness
3.008
75.208
3.008
75.208
2.123
70.765
2.123
70.765
2.257
75.24
2.257
75.24
1.888
62.921
1.888
62.921
2.202
73.386
2.202
73.386
2.302
76.722
2.302
76.722
KMO=.839 (p=.000)
Brand promise
KMO=.673 (p=.000)
Brand differentiation
KMO=.720 (p=.000)
Brand trust
KMO=.616. (p=.000)
Rational evaluation
KMO=.712 (p=.000)
Emotional evaluation
KMO=.728 (p=.000)
45
Customer-brand
relationship
3.099
61.988
3.099
61.988
KMO=.852 (p=.000)
46
Service quality
H1
Price
H2
Rational
Evaluation
H3
Promise
H4
Differentiation
H5
Trust and
Credibility
The MLR results are presented in table 4.5a and table 4.5b. The regression coefficient
R square (adjusted) is .424. ANOVA results showed that this model had a F value of
31.946. at sig. = .000 These results allowed us to reject the null hypothesis that all the
regression coefficients equal zero ( 1 = 2= 3 == k. =0). However, the adjusted R
square value is rather low, indicating that the models goodness of fit for the population
is not so high.
47
Tangibles
Affectivity
Staff
competence
Price
Brand promise
Differentiation
Trust &
credibility
Rational
evaluation
Emotional
evaluation
Customer-brand
relationship
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Pearson
Correlation
Sig. (2-tailed)
Affectivity
Staff
competence
Price
Brand
promise
Differentiatio
n
Trust &
credibility
Rational
evaluation
Emotional
evaluation
Customerbrand
relationship
.311**
.316**
.206**
.167**
.262**
0.000
1.000
0.000
1.000
0.012
0.833
.308**
0.000
1.000
0.000
1.000
.308**
0.000
.369**
0.000
1.000
0.000
1.000
.218**
0.000
.319**
0.012
0.833
.308**
0.000
.218**
.373**
.308**
0.000
.369**
0.000
.319**
.311**
0.000
.192**
0.001
.269**
.316**
0.000
0.104
0.073
.163**
.206**
0.000
.341**
0.000
.243**
.167**
0.004
.404**
0.000
.279**
.262**
0.000
.339**
0.000
.272**
0.000
0.104
0.073
.163**
.373**
0.000
0.005
0.003
0.017
0.767
.174**
0.003
.478**
0.000
0.017
0.767
.338**
0.005
.570**
0.000
.465**
0.000
.438**
0.000
.416**
0.000
.438**
0.000
.330**
0.000
.478**
.338**
0.000
.341**
.349**
.301**
0.000
0.000
.195**
0.000
.438**
.362**
0.000
.354**
0.000
.264**
0.000
.316**
0.000
.515**
0.000
.543**
0.000
.515**
0.000
0.000
.575**
0.000
.543**
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
.316**
0.000
.330**
.438**
.195**
0.000
0.000
0.001
.264**
.354**
.416**
0.001
0.000
.362**
.272**
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
.301**
.339**
.279**
.570**
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
.404**
.465**
.349**
0.004
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
.243**
0.000
.174**
0.000
48
0.001
.269**
0.000
0.000
0.000
.192**
0.000
0.000
0.000
0.000
.575**
0.000
1
0.000
Model I
0.662
R Square
Adjusted R Square
0.438
0.424
0.759
a. Predictors: (Constant), Trust & credability, Price, Staff competence, Tangibles, Affectivity,
Differentiation, Brand promise
Coefficients
Std. Error
(Constant)
-2.80E-16
0.044
Tangibles
0.124
0.05
Affectivity
0.135
Staff competence
Sig.
0.124
2.489
0.013
0.05
0.135
2.713
0.007
0.078
0.049
0.078
1.588
0.113
Price competitiveness
0.448
0.05
0.448
9.013
0.000
Brand promise
0.143
0.059
0.143
2.402
0.017
0.05
0.053
0.05
0.933
0.351
0.056
0.05
0.056
1.13
0.259
Differentiation
Trust & credability
Beta
49
Confirmed
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
Service quality
H1
=0.259 (sig.=.013)
H2
Price
H3
Promise
=0.143 (sig.=.017)
Differentiation
Trust and
Credibility
50
Rational
Evaluation
4.4.2.2 The relationship between emotional evaluation and the brand associations.
The same way as above, the second regression model (model II) was run to test the
hypotheses between emotional evaluation and the brand associations (see figure 4.6).
The adjusted R square of the second model is .358, F value is 24.434 at .000
significance. These results also allow us to conclude that the model fits with the data.
Yet the goodness of fit is also quite low.( Table 4.6a)
Figure 4.6. Relationships between emotional evaluation
and the brand associations
Service quality
H6
H7
Price
Emotional
Evaluation
H8
Promise
H9
Differentiation
H10
Trust and
Credibility
R Square
.611
Adjusted R Square
.373
.358
a. Predictors: (Constant), Trust & credibility, Price competitiveness, Staff competence, Tangibles,
51
Hypotheses from H6 to H10 were tested with this model and the results are shown in
Table 4.6b and are summarized in table 4.7. Figure 4.7 is used to visually illustrations
for the hypotheses testing results.
Table 4.6b - Coefficientsa
Standardized
Unstandardized Coefficients
Model II
1
Coefficients
Std. Error
2.38E-16
0.047
0.061
0.052
0.26
Staff competence
Beta
Sig.
0.061
1.169
0.243
0.053
0.26
4.959
0.00
0.145
0.052
0.145
2.813
0.005
Price competitiveness
0.248
0.052
0.248
4.733
0.00
Brand promise
0.082
0.063
0.082
1.302
0.194
Differentiation
0.132
0.056
0.132
2.347
0.02
0.116
0.053
0.116
2.207
0.028
(Constant)
Tangibles
Affectivity
Confirmed
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
52
Service quality
H6
=0.405 (sig.=. 005)
H7
Price
Emotional
Evaluation
Promise
H9
=0.116 (sig.= .028)
Differentiation
H10
Trust and
Credibility
R Square
.515
Adjusted R Square
.266
.263
53
Estimate
.85840387
(Constant)
Std. Error
-4.701E-16
.050
.515
.050
Emotional evaluation
Coefficients
t
Beta
.515
Sig.
.000
1.000
10.295
.000
This model was also proved fit with data. The R square is .266, F value is 105.992
at sig.=.000. Thus Null hypothesis: R square= 0 can be rejected. This model has beta of
.515 (positive), t value = 10.295 at sig. = .000. As the result, hypothesis H13 was
confirmed (figure 48.a).
H11
Emotional
Evaluation
The fourth regression model (model IIIb) then was run to test the last two
hypotheses ( H12 & H13). The results are shown in table 4.8a, 4.8b and figure 4.8.
54
R Square
.643
Adjusted R Square
.414
.410
.76824887
(Constant)
Std. Error
1.594E-16
.045
Rational evaluation
.336
.052
Emotional evaluation
.402
.052
Coefficients
t
Beta
Sig.
.000
1.000
.336
6.431
.000
.402
7.685
.000
Customer-Brand
Relationship
= .402 (sig. =000)
H13
Emotional
Evaluation
The results from this model indicate that the model fitted the data with F value =
103.06; sig.=.000. Hypotheses H12 and H13 are both supported with = .336 and .402
55
Confirmed
YES
YES
YES
56
reasoning might be that the appearance of banking equipment and facilities may result
in a professional image of the bank which may then generates trust from the customer
for their rational consideration. However, it might not touch their emotion. But
affectivity and employee competence are important factors that strongly influence
customers sentimental preferences to the bank.
By comparing the results in table 4.6b with those in table 4.5b, we can see price
competitiveness is relevant to both rational and emotional evaluations. However, it
plays a more important role in rational assessment (=0.448, sig.=.000) than it does in
the emotional perspective (=0.248, sig.=.000). From this standpoint, service quality
makes a larger proportion (= 0.405, sig.=.005) than the price competitiveness
(=0.248, sig.=.000). Brand differentiation and brand trust and credibility also
contributed to the emotional judgment of the customer.
In sum, by comparing the results between model I and model II, we can conclude
that, from a rational perspective, price competitiveness dominates the customers
judgment. From the emotional angle, service quality takes over.
From a causal-effect perspective, this study ultimately examines the contribution
of rational evaluation and emotional evaluation to the customer-brand relationship. As
the results in table 4.8b show, the statistical evidence lets us conclude that the
customers emotional evaluation contributes more than the rational consideration to the
customer loyalty to a brand (customer-brand relationship). This is in line with Berry
(2000)s argument that great brands always make an emotional connection with the
intended audience. They reach beyond the purely rational and purely economic level to
spark feelings of closeness, affection, and trust. The relationship is expressed in the
following simple equation:
RL = 0.402 EE + 0.366 RE
Where
RL : Customer-brand relationship
57
4.5.2 Conclusion
This chapter provides the analysis results and main findings of the study. The statistical
evidence revealed some unexpected results. Several arguments that explain the
research results are also presented in this chapter. Not all hypotheses from the research
model were supported and therefore, an adjusted model is suggested below (Fig. 4.9).
Figure 4.9. Adjusted model of CBBE in banking service
Rational associations
Brand evaluations
Service quality
H1
Rational
Evaluation
H2
Price
H12
H3
Customer-Brand
Relationship
H11
H6
H7
Promise
H13
Emotional
Evaluation
H9
Differentiation
H10
Trust and
Credibility
58
Chapter 5:
CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
5.1 Introduction
Chapter 4 presented the analysis results and the main findings of the study. A modified
model was also proposed in the chapter. This chapter summarized all hypotheses that
will be used to answer for the research questions in this chapter. Some implications are
suggested for academics and practitioners as well. The limitations of this study and
some suggestions for further research are also presented in this chapter. The structure
for chapter five is showed in figure 5.1.
Figure 5.1 Outline of chapter 5
5.1
Introduction
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
Conclusion
59
Confirmed
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
YES
YES
NO
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
60
credibility. A modified model is proposed for the CBBE in the Vietnamese banking
perspective. The relationship between emotional evaluation and rational evaluation;
and those between these evaluations and customer-brand relationship were
significantly supported. This result is consistent with the original model.
To answer the second research question, the results in Table 5.1 reveal that,
instead of six, only three parameters, service quality, price and brand promise correlate
positively with customers rational evaluation. From the emotional perspective, there
are only four parameters proved to be positively related to the emotional evaluation.
These associations consist of service quality, price, brand differentiation and trust and
credibility.
5.3 Implications of the study
5.3.1 Theoretical implications
The aim of the current study is to test a general model of customer-based brand
equity into the banking service perspective. The findings suggest that the theoretical
model is not fully supported. However, the modified model can be used as a point of
departure for those who intend to study the CBBE in the banking industry in Vietnam.
As there is no specific model of CBBE for banking services in Vietnam so far, this
model is the first that provides a clear image of the dimensions that contribute to the
brand equity in banking service.
Secondly, this study contributes to the marketing literature a measurement scale
as a useful instrument to measure the brand equity in banking service. The advantage
of this instrument is that it can be used flexibly. For example, most of the observed
variables presented in this study might also be useful for those who would follow
Aakers approach to measure brand equity of banking service in an emerging economy
like Vietnam.
61
62
63
64
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67
1.
2.
3.
4.
2 = khong ong y
3 = trung lap
4 = ong y
Phat bieu
Trang thit b ca ngan hang [X] rt hin i
Trang phuc cua nhan vien ngan hang [X] rat ep va lch s.
V tr cua ngan hang [X] rat thuan tien oi vi toi.
C s vat chat cua ngan hang [X] trong rat hap dan
68
5 = rat ong y
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
hang.
12. Nhan vien cua ngan hang [X] co kien thc e tra li cac cau hoi cua toi.
13. Nhan vien ngan hang [X] hieu c nhu cau cua toi va san pham, dch vu
nao co the ap ng c nhng nhu cau o
14. Ngan hang [X] the hien s quan tam en ca nhan toi
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
15. Lai suat cua ngan hang [X] rat canh tranh
16. Ph dch vu cua ngan hang [X] rat canh tranh
17. Ngan hang [X] cho toi c thng lng gia
18. Mc gia cua ngan hang [X] a ra cho toi rat hp ly
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
22. Ngan hang [X] khac biet hn cac ngan hang khac (theo ngha tch cc)
23. Ngan hang [X] co nhng net oc ao khi so sanh vi cac ngan hang khac
24. Ngan hang [X] tao c nhng thuan li cho khach hang ma cac ngan hang
khac khong co c
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
25. Ngan hang [X] giao thiep mot cach trung thc va ci m
26. Ngan hang [X] rat ang tin tng va tin cay
27. Toi rat tin tng vao ngan hang [X]
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
28. Ngan hang [X] mang lai cho toi gia tr xng ang ong tien
29. Ngan hang [X] ap ng rat tot nhng ky vong (mong muon) cua toi?
30. Nhn chung, toi rat hai long oi vi ngan hang [X]
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
31. Khi ngh ve ngan hang [X], toi co cam giac rat am cung
32. Toi cam thy ngan hang [X] rt co y ngha oi vi toi
33. Toi thay hanh dien khi la khach hang cua ngan hang [X]
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
34. Lan ti khi co y nh giao dch vi mot ngan hang, toi se lai giao dch vi
ngan hang [X]
35. Toi se gii thieu ngan hang [X] vi nhng ngi khac
36. Nhn chung, toi thay ngan hang [X] rat hap dan so vi cac ngan hang khac
37. Toi rat quan tam ti ngan hang [X]
38. Viec tiep tuc duy tr moi quan he vi ngan hang [X] trong tng lai la rat
quan trong oi vi toi
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
69
III.
Nam - 1
Di 30 tuoi
T 31 45
T 46 60
Tren 60 tuoi
N - 2
-1
-2
-3
-4
4. Xin vui long cho biet thi gian ong(ba) a giao dch vi ngan hang [X]
1. Di 3 thang
-1
2. T 3 thang en mot nam - 2
3. Tren mot nam
-3
5. Xin vui long cho biet mc o thng xuyen ong (ba) giao dch vi ngan hang [X]
1. Rat thng xuyen ( t nhat 5 lan/tuan)
-1
2. Thng xuyen (1- 3 lan/tuan)
-2
3. Kha thng xuyen (1-2 lan/thang)
-3
4. Vang lai (ngau nhien hoac ch khi can thiet)
-4
Xin cam n qu v a danh thi gian hoan tat bang cau hoi nay!
70
71
72
Observed
variables
Std.
N
Minimum Maximum
Statistic
Statistic
Statistic
Mean
Deviation
Statistic
Statistic
Skewness
Statistic
Kurtosis
Std. Error
Statistic
Std. Error
SQ1
295
1.00
5.00
3.8407
.75483
-.587
.142
.886
.283
SQ2
295
1.00
5.00
4.1492
.76806
-.987
.142
1.704
.283
SQ3
295
1.00
5.00
4.0034
.88255
-.634
.142
.143
.283
SQ4
295
1.0
5.0
3.617
.8283
-.197
.142
.060
.283
SQ5
295
1.00
5.00
4.0407
.67389
-.653
.142
1.584
.283
SQ6
295
1.00
5.00
4.0237
.74422
-.537
.142
.507
.283
SQ7
295
1.00
5.00
4.1729
.69542
-.797
.142
1.591
.283
SQ8
295
1.00
5.00
4.1627
.72419
-.906
.142
1.648
.283
SQ9
295
1.00
5.00
4.1932
.78243
-1.040
.142
1.848
.283
SQ10
295
1.00
5.00
4.1966
.77063
-.892
.142
1.210
.283
SQ11
295
1.00
5.00
4.0305
.68195
-.492
.142
.979
.283
SQ12
295
1.00
5.00
3.9966
.71189
-.337
.142
.274
.283
SQ13
295
1.00
5.00
3.9186
.73782
-.535
.142
.943
.283
SQ14
295
1.00
5.00
3.7492
.80694
-.178
.142
-.270
.283
PC1
295
1.00
5.00
3.0814
1.05953
-.267
.142
-.615
.283
PC2
295
1.00
5.00
3.2169
1.08502
-.312
.142
-.500
.283
PC3
295
1.00
5.00
2.9051
1.12386
-.232
.142
-.799
.283
PC4
295
1.00
5.00
3.3119
.96417
-.362
.142
-.019
.283
PR1
295
2.00
5.00
3.6576
.66604
-.107
.142
-.127
.283
PR2
295
1.00
5.00
3.8712
.68289
-.348
.142
.666
.283
PR3
295
1.00
5.00
3.9559
.65576
-.392
.142
1.021
.283
DF1
295
1.00
5.00
3.8712
.73101
-.164
.142
-.056
.283
DF2
295
1.00
5.00
3.8305
.77706
-.177
.142
-.225
.283
DF3
295
1.00
5.00
3.7864
.81555
-.270
.142
-.031
.283
TR1
295
1.00
5.00
3.8441
.79288
-.786
.142
1.374
.283
TR2
295
2.00
5.00
4.2136
.69875
-.500
.142
-.181
.283
73
TR3
295
1.00
5.00
4.1661
.71157
-.651
.142
.837
.283
RE1
295
2.00
5.00
3.7186
.72292
-.170
.142
-.170
.283
RE2
295
1.00
5.00
3.6373
.74731
-.429
.142
.224
.283
RE3
295
1.00
5.00
3.7695
.78750
-.367
.142
.064
.283
EE1
295
2.00
5.00
3.6136
.76475
.003
.142
-.393
.283
EE2
295
2.00
5.00
3.7661
.74883
-.029
.142
-.484
.283
EE3
295
2.00
5.00
3.8068
.73305
.006
.142
-.557
.283
RL1
295
2.00
5.00
4.0373
.66647
-.181
.142
-.282
.283
RL2
295
1.00
5.00
3.8441
.81405
-.735
.142
.900
.283
RL3
295
1.00
5.00
3.8000
.77635
-.207
.142
-.132
.283
RL4
295
2.00
5.00
3.7831
.72870
-.172
.142
-.218
.283
RL5
295
2.00
5.00
3.8915
.75261
-.204
.142
-.400
.283
74