Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine relationship value and relationship quality, and its effect on customer loyalty in the context of relationship marketing. Four key relationship value variables of economic value, service value, relational value and social value are examined in this study. The study focuses on the Malaysian telecommunication industry and based on the business-to-customer environment. The structural equation modelling technique is used to empirically test the proposed hypotheses using a sample of 350 customers collected by a questionnaire survey. The results showed that three relationship value variables of economic value, service value, and social value have significantly influenced relationship quality. Customer loyalty is significantly affected by relationship quality. There is no significant effect of relational value and relationship quality. The contribution of this paper is twofold. From a theoretical perspective, the social exchange theory is used to explain and conceptualize relationship marketing paradigms. It offers both a conceptual foundation and empirical-based evaluation of customer loyalty through the context of relationship value and relationship quality. The relationship value dimensions of economic value, service value, and social value is the antecedent to relationship quality, which lead to customer loyalty. In the practical perspective, the findings proposed that the telecommunication service providers should focus on relationship value through providing better value for money packages, innovation of services and improve social interaction with customers to build stronger relationship quality and achieve customer loyalty.

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