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The influence of empathy in complaint handling: Evidence of gratitudinal and transactional routes to loyalty

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  • Simon, Françoise

Abstract

While most studies on complaint handling are focused on performance outcomes, analysis of the processes that reinforce relationship quality is lacking. Building on the relationship marketing theory of reciprocal behaviours, this research proposes and tests a model of the effects of empathy as a particular relationship recovery investment. Addressing for the first time the role of gratitude in a complaint-handling context, this model assumes that both gratitude and transactional satisfaction mediate the influence of empathy on consumers' trust and commitment. Data from a cross-industry survey of phone and online complaints confirmed the proposed model.

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  • Simon, Françoise, 2013. "The influence of empathy in complaint handling: Evidence of gratitudinal and transactional routes to loyalty," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 599-608.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joreco:v:20:y:2013:i:6:p:599-608
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jretconser.2013.05.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Pierre-Nicolas Schwab, 2015. "Online complaint handling practices: Company strategies and their effects upon post-complaint satisfaction," Working Papers CEB 15-005, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    2. Ngo, Liem Viet & Nguyen, Thi Nguyet Que & Tran, Nam The & Paramita, Widya, 2020. "It takes two to tango: The role of customer empathy and resources to improve the efficacy of frontline employee empathy," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    3. Mortimer, Gary & Fazal-e-Hasan, Syed Muhammad & Strebel, Judi, 2021. "Examining the consequences of customer-oriented deviance in retail," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    4. von Janda, Sergej & Polthier, Andreas & Kuester, Sabine, 2021. "Do they see the signs? Organizational response behavior to customer complaint messages," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 116-127.
    5. Michael F. Walsh & Annie Peng Cui & Deborah J. MacInnis, 2019. "How to successfully introduce logo redesigns," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(4), pages 365-375, July.
    6. Kuo-Lun Hsiao & Chia-Chen Chen & Kuan-Yu Lin & Hui-Ya Hsu, 2023. "What drives online-to-offline purchase intention in a VR store? An examination of affective and cognitive factors," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 3499-3521, August.
    7. Hani, Umme & Akter, Shahriar & Wickramasinghe, Ananda & Kattiyapornpong, Uraiporn, 2021. "How does relationship quality sustain the rich world’s poorest businesses?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 297-308.
    8. Hyunju Shin & Riza Casidy & Alyssa Yoon & So-Hyang Yoon, 2016. "Brand trust and avoidance following brand crisis: A quasi-experiment on the effect of franchisor statements," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(5), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Bambauer-Sachse, Silke & Rabeson, Landisoa, 2015. "Determining adequate tangible compensation in service recovery processes for developed and developing countries: The role of severity and responsibility," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 117-127.
    10. Neele Inken Abend & María D. De-Juan-Vigaray & Mandy Nuszbaum, 2023. "An Experimental Study of How Missing Employee Empathy in Failed Service Interactions Affects Empathetic Customers’ EWoM-Giving Behaviour," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, May.
    11. Sammon, Rachel & Kwon, Kyoung-Nan, 2015. "Host׳s interpersonal influence on guests in a home sales party," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 32-38.

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