IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i5p2692-d758464.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Understanding Impacts of Service Robots with the Revised Gap Model

Author

Listed:
  • Shengliang Zhang

    (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China)

  • Chaoying Huang

    (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China)

  • Xiaodong Li

    (School of Economics and Management, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China
    School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Ai Ren

    (School of Business, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA)

Abstract

The service quality gap model, which identifies the antecedents of SERVQAUL, reveals that service quality depends on the gap between customer perceived and expected service (Gap 5), which can be caused by other gaps in the service process (Gaps 1–4). The emergence of service robots has affected the quality of services provided; however, little is known about how these impacts happen. Thus, this paper aims to explore the impacts of service robots on service quality by revising the original gap model in the context of robot service. This paper reviews and analyzes the literature related to service robots and develops a revised gap model for robot service by integrating the existing research on the impacts of service robots. By introducing the roles of robots and robot manufacturers into the original gap model, the revised gap model adds three new gaps: Gap 6 (manufacturers’ understanding gap), Gap 7 (technical gap), and Gap 8 (service coordination gap). Based on the revised gap model, the impacts of service robots on service quality are expounded (i.e., Gap 5 can be affected by not only Gaps 1–4 but also Gaps 6–8), and several propositions are introduced. This paper is the first to consider robot manufacturers as part of the service quality gap model, and the first to use a dynamic model to explore the impacts of service robots on service quality. This paper not only supplements the service robot and gap model literature but also provides service companies with a meaningful framework to improve service quality when using robots to provide service.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengliang Zhang & Chaoying Huang & Xiaodong Li & Ai Ren, 2022. "Understanding Impacts of Service Robots with the Revised Gap Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2692-:d:758464
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/5/2692/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/5/2692/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tavakoli, Rokhshad & Mura, Paolo, 2018. "Netnography in tourism – Beyond Web 2.0," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 190-192.
    2. Neeraj Pandey & Sumi Jha & Vaibhav Rai, 2021. "Ayushman Bharat: Service Adoption Challenges in Universal Healthcare System," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 10(1), pages 35-49, April.
    3. Jochen Wirtz & Christina Jerger, 2016. "Managing service employees: literature review, expert opinions, and research directions," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(15-16), pages 757-788, December.
    4. Michael Barrett & Eivor Oborn & Wanda J. Orlikowski & JoAnne Yates, 2012. "Reconfiguring Boundary Relations: Robotic Innovations in Pharmacy Work," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(5), pages 1448-1466, October.
    5. Grandey, Alicia A. & Fisk, Glenda M. & Mattila, Anna S. & Jansen, Karen J. & Sideman, Lori A., 2005. "Is "service with a smile" enough? Authenticity of positive displays during service encounters," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 38-55, January.
    6. Daniel Belanche & Luis V. Casaló & Carlos Flavián & Jeroen Schepers, 2020. "Service robot implementation: a theoretical framework and research agenda," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(3-4), pages 203-225, March.
    7. Verhoef, Peter C. & Lemon, Katherine N. & Parasuraman, A. & Roggeveen, Anne & Tsiros, Michael & Schlesinger, Leonard A., 2009. "Customer Experience Creation: Determinants, Dynamics and Management Strategies," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 85(1), pages 31-41.
    8. Thomas Davenport & Abhijit Guha & Dhruv Grewal & Timna Bressgott, 2020. "How artificial intelligence will change the future of marketing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 24-42, January.
    9. Lacity, Mary C. & Willcocks, Leslie P., 2016. "A new approach to automating services," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 68135, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    10. Gursoy, Dogan & Chi, Oscar Hengxuan & Lu, Lu & Nunkoo, Robin, 2019. "Consumers acceptance of artificially intelligent (AI) device use in service delivery," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 157-169.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rizomyliotis, Ioannis & Kastanakis, Minas N. & Giovanis, Apostolos & Konstantoulaki, Kleopatra & Kostopoulos, Ioannis, 2022. "“How mAy I help you today?” The use of AI chatbots in small family businesses and the moderating role of customer affective commitment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 329-340.
    2. Sebastian Molinillo & Francisco Rejón-Guardia & Rafael Anaya-Sánchez, 2023. "Exploring the antecedents of customers’ willingness to use service robots in restaurants," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(1), pages 167-193, March.
    3. Cambra-Fierro, Jesús & Polo-Redondo, Yolanda & Trifu, Andreea, 2021. "Short-term and long-term effects of touchpoints on customer perceptions," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    4. Lee, Kuo-Wei & Li, Chia-Ying, 2023. "It is not merely a chat: Transforming chatbot affordances into dual identification and loyalty," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    5. David A. Schweidel & Yakov Bart & J. Jeffrey Inman & Andrew T. Stephen & Barak Libai & Michelle Andrews & Ana Babić Rosario & Inyoung Chae & Zoey Chen & Daniella Kupor & Chiara Longoni & Felipe Thomaz, 2022. "How consumer digital signals are reshaping the customer journey," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 50(6), pages 1257-1276, November.
    6. Delpechitre, Duleeep & Beeler-Connelly, Lisa L. & Chaker, Nawar N., 2018. "Customer value co-creation behavior: A dyadic exploration of the influence of salesperson emotional intelligence on customer participation and citizenship behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 9-24.
    7. Paluch, Stefanie & Wirtz, Jochen, 2020. "Artificial Intelligence and Robots in the Service Encounter," SMR - Journal of Service Management Research, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 4(1), pages 3-8.
    8. Makarius, Erin E. & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Fox, Joseph D. & Fox, Alexa K., 2020. "Rising with the machines: A sociotechnical framework for bringing artificial intelligence into the organization," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 262-273.
    9. Holmqvist, Jonas & Wirtz, Jochen & Fritze, Martin P., 2020. "Luxury in the digital age: A multi-actor service encounter perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 747-756.
    10. Aimé, Isabelle & Berger-Remy, Fabienne & Laporte, Marie-Eve, 2022. "The brand, the persona and the algorithm: How datafication is reconfiguring marketing work☆," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 814-827.
    11. Pelau Corina & Barbul Maria & Bojescu Irina, 2022. "A conceptual comparative approach on personal AI assistants and external service robots," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 16(1), pages 1466-1474, August.
    12. Vlačić, Božidar & Corbo, Leonardo & Costa e Silva, Susana & Dabić, Marina, 2021. "The evolving role of artificial intelligence in marketing: A review and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 187-203.
    13. Akter, Shahriar & Hossain, Md Afnan & Sajib, Shahriar & Sultana, Saida & Rahman, Mahfuzur & Vrontis, Demetris & McCarthy, Grace, 2023. "A framework for AI-powered service innovation capability: Review and agenda for future research," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    14. Uzir, Md Uzir Hossain & Al Halbusi, Hussam & Lim, Rodney & Jerin, Ishraq & Abdul Hamid, Abu Bakar & Ramayah, Thurasamy & Haque, Ahasanul, 2021. "Applied Artificial Intelligence and user satisfaction: Smartwatch usage for healthcare in Bangladesh during COVID-19," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    15. Reis, João & Melão, Nuno & Salvadorinho, Juliana & Soares, Bárbara & Rosete, Ana, 2020. "Service robots in the hospitality industry: The case of Henn-na hotel, Japan," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    16. Plattfaut, Ralf & Koch, Julian, 2021. "Preserving the legacy – Why do professional soccer clubs (not) adopt innovative process technologies? A grounded theory study," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 237-250.
    17. Muzi Xie & Hong-bumm Kim, 2022. "User Acceptance of Hotel Service Robots Using the Quantitative Kano Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    18. Grewal, Dhruv & Roggeveen, Anne L., 2020. "Understanding Retail Experiences and Customer Journey Management," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 96(1), pages 3-8.
    19. Liu, Xiaohui & He, Xiaoyu & Wang, Mengmeng & Shen, Huizhang, 2022. "What influences patients' continuance intention to use AI-powered service robots at hospitals? The role of individual characteristics," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    20. Moore, Simon & Bulmer, Sandy & Elms, Jonathan, 2022. "The social significance of AI in retail on customer experience and shopping practices," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2692-:d:758464. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.