Consequences of network externalities, such as product growth and innovation diffusion, are widely studied in marketing literature. However, there is little empirical research that examines the existence of such network externalities in consumer behavior. When and how do consumers take into...

Recent research has highlighted the importance of trust in building and maintaining business relationships. This research addresses these findings and utilizes Macneil’s norm theory to develop a model illu strating the mediating role of trust in buyer-seller relationships and compare it to the...

This article demonstrates that socially anxious consumers avoid close relationships with merchants. An experimental approach (n=102) shows that socially anxious consumers prefer small talk with merchants rather than intimate conversations, whereas non-socially anxious consumers prefer intimate...

This article demonstrates that socially anxious consumers avoid close relationships with merchants. An experimental approach (n=102) shows that socially anxious consumers prefer small talk with merchants rather than intimate conversations, whereas non-socially anxious consumers prefer intimate...

A transdisciplinary literature review enabled us to identify a new construct in the marketing research field, i.e. Customer-Company Identification. It is defined as the process whereby customer’s beliefs about a company become self-defining and whereby he defines himself by the same attributes...

Positive outcomes of loyalty programs are clear for firms, yet little research examines customer perceptions. To address this gap, this article investigates various perceived benefits of loyalty programs using a multi-benefit framework based on utilitarian, hedonic, and relationship literature....

Previous research on loyalty programs is mainly characterized by the use of panel data and measures of repurchase behavior. This is a rather short-term approach that contrasts with the objective of strengthening retailer-customer bonds. In this article, we draw on relationship marketing...

The authors conduct an exploratory study in order to develop a measurement scale of customers transactional/relational orientation. The study is implemented in the context of French banking industry in both B.-to-C. and B.-to-B. environments. The results show that a different scale is needed for...

Few empirical studies cover the theme of franchisees' satisfaction. This paper investigates the impact of the nature of relationship between franchisers and franchisees on franchisees' satisfaction. Research data have been collected by surveying 400 French franchisees. Surprisingly, this...

Relationship marketing makes an implicit assumption : customers are committed. This commitment is based on the existing trust between the customer and the service provider. However, customers may reject commitment, because of psychological reactance, without any loss of trust. This article...