Perceptions of service quality in healthcare: What's fun got to do with it?

Authors

Katherine Karl, Marshall University
Lynn Harland, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Joy Peluchette, University of WollongongFollow
Amy Rodie, University of Nebraska at Omaha

RIS ID

36920

Publication Details

Karl, K., Harland, L., Peluchette, J. & Rodie, A. (2009). Perceptions of service quality in healthcare: What's fun got to do with it?. Proceedings of the Southern Management Association (pp. 1-6). Florida: Southern Management Association.

Abstract

While incorporating fun into healthcare work environments to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and patient satisfaction has been gaining attention since the release of the popular Fish! books (e.g., Lundin, Christensen, Paul, & Strand, 2002), no empirical research has been conducted examining customer/client reactions to witnessing the use of such fun activities. Using a 2 X 2 X 2 experimental scenario-based study, this research evaluated the impact of three independent variables (attentiveness to the customer, customer waiting time, and level of fun) on the dependent variables of perceived service quality and intent to return, refer, and complain.