Anand Prakash and Milind Phadtare
The purpose of this paper is to develop and explain an empirically validated scale to measure service quality for architects in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and explain an empirically validated scale to measure service quality for architects in India.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a systematic procedure for development of a psychometric scale in three phases. Phase 1 includes item generation and selection through review of literature and expert opinion. Phase 2 comprises scale refinement using item analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Phase 3 applies confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for establishing convergent, discriminant and nomological validity. This study has involved 15 expert participants in Phase 1 and sought participation from 250 respondents using an online questionnaire in two other independent phases.
Findings
The findings of the empirical study resulted in the development of a 22-item scale that measures the constructs such as design quality, project administration quality, communication quality, relationship quality and dependability quality.
Research limitations/implications
This study has developed a context-specific psychometric scale of service quality for architects in India using snowball sampling. Although this study identified five valid service quality factors, the classified information relating to the formation of expectations was not collected.
Practical implications
This reliable and valid scale would be helpful for architects to measure the level of service quality in enhancing business performance. This study has established that service quality for architects is achieved only when the perceived benefits are available from the aspects like design, project administration, communication, relationship and dependability.
Social implications
This study can facilitate an architect interested in opportunities relating to contracting, consulting and engineering to explore possibilities of higher fees from clients.
Originality/value
This study is an original attempt in developing a validated tool to measure service quality of architects in India.
Details
Keywords
Industrial Marketing.
Abstract
Subject area
Industrial Marketing.
Study level/applicability
MBA students and participants of MDPs.
Case overview
It involves marketing of air compressors in particular and industrial equipment in general. It tries to analyse strategies on the framework of market leader strategies to facilitate growth in a challenging business environment in view of the strengths and weaknesses of the firm. It aims to identify the organizational and business model changes that may be required to be implemented in transforming a firm from a marketer of capital goods to a marketer of projects.
Expected learning outcomes
To help students/participants evaluate and select marketing strategies for a market leader under challenging business environments as well as identify important organizational and business model changes involved in transition of any firm from selling products to selling projects.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Subject code
CSS 8: Marketing.
Details
Keywords
Harish Kumar Singla and Milind Phadtare
The study is an attempt to find the major risks faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in construction business in India. Further, the study attempts to find…
Abstract
Purpose
The study is an attempt to find the major risks faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in construction business in India. Further, the study attempts to find how MSMEs mitigate those risks.
Design/methodology/approach
Toward the objective of study, the authors used a case-based qualitative research design. Four firms were selected, and their owners and selected employees/partners were interviewed. Each firm is presented as an independent case to highlight the core risk management (RM) philosophy of each firm. This was followed by a thematic analysis to arrive at the major risks involved in MSME construction projects and their mitigation strategy.
Findings
MSME firms engaged in the construction business in India are not keen on following formal RM practices because they believe that it makes the bid unviable. MSMEs find it difficult to identify most of the problems in a construction project due to an uncontrolled environment and believe that it is best to resolve the issues as and when they occur. They have acquired tacit knowledge on hindrances and deal with them as and when they occur. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong is the basic philosophy.
Research limitations/implications
A small sample size makes the generalization of its findings difficult.
Practical implications
MSMEs cannot afford to hire specialists in project RM due to financial constraints. Hence, it would be worthwhile sending experienced employees for a short duration of training on the same.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors knowledge, it is a first-of-its-kind study focusing on RM practices of MSME, particularly in the construction sector.