Noor, Nurhafihz, Rao Hill, Sally, and Troshani, Indrit (2022) Developing a service quality scale for artificial intelligence service agents. European Journal of Marketing, 56 (5). pp. 1301-1336.

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Abstract

Purpose – Service providers and consumers alike are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence service agents (AISA) for service. Yet, no service quality scale exists that can fully capture the key factors influencing AISA service quality. This study aims to address this shortcoming by developing a scale for measuring AISA service quality (AISAQUAL).

Design/methodology/approach – Based on extant service quality research and established scale development techniques, the study constructs, refines and validates a multidimensional AISAQUAL scale through a series of pilot and validation studies.

Findings – AISAQUAL contains 26 items across six dimensions: efficiency, security, availability, enjoyment, contact and anthropomorphism. The new scale demonstrates good psychometric properties and can be used to evaluate service quality across AISA, providing a means of examining the relationships between AISA service quality and satisfaction, perceived value as well as loyalty.

Research limitations/implications – Future research should validate AISAQUAL with other AISA types as they diffuse throughout the service sector. Moderating factors related to services, the customer and the AISA can be investigated to uncover the boundary conditions under which AISAQUAL is likely to influence service outcomes. Longitudinal studies can be carried out to assess how ongoing use of AISA can change service outcomes.

Practical implications – Service managers can use AISAQUAL to effectively monitor, diagnose and improve services provided by AISA, whilst enhancing their understanding of how AISA can deliver better service quality and customer loyalty outcomes.

Originality/value – Anthropomorphism is identified as a new service quality dimension. AISAQUAL facilitates theory development by providing a reliable scale to improve the current understanding of consumers’ perspectives concerning AISA services.

Keywords Artificial intelligence service agents; service quality; scale development; customer service

Paper type Research paper

Item ID:	79178
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1758-7123
Keywords:	Artificial intelligence service agents, Service quality, Scale development, Customer service
Copyright Information:	Published Version: © Emerald Publishing Limited. AAM may be made open access in an Institutional Repository under a CC BY-NC license without embargo.
Date Deposited:	05 Jul 2023 01:00
FoR Codes:	35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3506 Marketing > 350611 Service marketing @ 50% 35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3506 Marketing > 350608 Marketing theory @ 50%
SEO Codes:	15 ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK > 1503 Management and productivity > 150303 Marketing @ 100%
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