Is C-OAR-SE best for internet retailing service quality?

RIS ID

29634

Publication Details

Francis, J. E. (2009). Is C-OAR-SE best for internet retailing service quality?. Managing Service Quality, 19 (6), 670-686.

Abstract

Purpose - This paper responds to claims by Collier and Bienstock (2006) and Rossiter (2007) that reflective measurement is wrong for IRSQ. The research empirically assesses Rossiter's (2007) proposal that the C-OAR-SE procedure for index development will generate a more valid way to measure IRSQ than is otherwise available.Methodology/Approach - C-OAR-SE is used to develop a formative internet retailing service quality (IRSQ) index. The index is administered to internet shoppers in an online survey. The index is compared to an existing IRSQ scale in terms of content, parsimony, measurement scores and criterion validity. Findings - The scale and index display parity in content, parsimony and measurement scores, while the scale shows higher criterion validity. The results contradict Rossiter's (2007) claims and foster doubt regarding the usefulness of C-OAR-SE's formative measurement procedures.Research limitations/implications - IRSQ can be conceptualised as reflective or formative, but C-OAR-SE does not necessarily generate a better way to measure the construct. Furthermore, implementing C-OAR-SE unearths problems with the procedure.Practical implications - Multiple variations of IRSQ exist, as well as multiple views on how to measure the variations and differing degrees to which the variations are actually measured. Crucially, the situation is not as bleak as Collier and Bienstock (2006) or Rossiter (2007) suggest: the literature does offer sound, valid IRSQ measurement scales.Originality/value - This paper resolves unwarranted criticisms of IRSQ scales, highlights the limitations with some scales, offers the first complete example of using C-OAR-SE to develop a new index and lends applied support to theoretical criticisms of C-OAR-SE.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/09604520911005062