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Research Publications (Management Sciences)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/217

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Author: search.filters.author.Noel, Dion TrevorSubject: search.filters.subject.Service quality

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    Customers’ expectations and perceptions of service quality : the case of a retail pharmacy chain in South Africa
    (Mediterranean Centre of Social and Educational Research, 2014) Adat, Nafisa; Noel, Dion Trevor; Penceliah, Soobramoney
    Recent legislative changes have permitted rapid expansion of pharmacy chains in South Africa. The early effect of this appears to be lowered prices and greater competition amongst pharmacy chains. Whilst research has been conducted on general aspects of customer service quality in various industries, there appears to be few studies on customer satisfaction within the South African retail pharmaceutical sector in particular. This paper therefore seeks to assess customer satisfaction at a selected pharmacy chain within the greater Durban area. A study was conducted among 400 customers, using the SERVQUAL model as the measuring instrument. The results indicate that there are gaps between customers’ expectations and perceptions on the five service quality dimensions. The chi square test was performed to determine significant differences between four biographical variables viz. gender, age, educational level of respondents and frequency of shopping versus the five dimensions of service quality, on both expectations and perceptions. Recommendations are presented on how the pharmacy chain can enhance service quality in order to offer superior customer service in the face of growing competition.
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    International students’ expectations and perceptions of service quality : the case of a higher education institution in South Africa
    (International Foundation for Research and Development, 2012-10) Govender, Jeevarathnam Parthasarathy; Veerasamy, Dayaneethie; Noel, Dion Trevor
    South Africa has recently seen a significant increase in international student enrolments in recent years. In order to be competitive, attention needs to be given to service quality with a view to being the institution of preference. This paper therefore seeks to assess international students’ expectations and perceptions of service quality. A census was conducted among the 215 international students, using the SERVQUAL model as the measuring instrument. The results indicate that there are gaps between international students’ expectations and perceptions on the five service quality dimensions. An analysis of variance was conducted to test for significant differences between three biographical variables viz. faculty of study, qualification enrolled for and region of residence versus the five dimensions of service quality, on both expectations and perceptions. Recommendations are presented on how the institution can enhance service quality among its international students.