Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs Adm > v.16(4) > 1051572

Yom and Lee: Causal Relationships among Quality, Service Value, Satisfaction and Loyalty

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationships among quality of health care service, service value, satisfaction and loyalty as perceived by hospital inpatients.

Methods

A survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted with 654 hospital inpatients. Analysis of the data was done with both SPSS Win 17.0 for descriptive statistics and AMOS 18.0 for the structural equation model.

Results

The modified model yielded Chi-square=7.96 (p=.019), df=2, χ2/df=3.98, GFI=.99, AGFI=.96, RMSEA=.07, NFI=.99, CFI=.99, TLI=.98 and showed good fit indices. Three dimensions of quality had significant direct effects on service value. Functional quality, technical quality and service value had significant direct effects on customer satisfaction. Technical quality, service value, and customer satisfaction had significant direct effects on customer loyalty.

Conclusion

These results suggest that quality of health care is an important element in service value, and through both quality and service value, customer satisfaction and customer loyalty can be enhanced. Further study with a larger sample from various hospitals and a longitudinal design is necessary.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Path diagram of the hypothetical model
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Figure 2
Path diagram of the modified model
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Table 1
Demographic characteristics (N=654)
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Table 2
Means, standard deviations and correlations of variables
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Table 3
Goodness fit indies for the hypothetical and modified models
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GFI=goodness of fit index; AGFI=ajusted goodness of fit index; RMR=root mean squared residual, RMSEA=root mean squared error of approximation; NFI=normed fit index; CFI=comparative fit index); TLI=tucker-lewis index.

Table 4
Standardized direct effect, indirect effect and total effect in modified path model
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SMC=Squared multiple correlations.

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