Relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in retail banking in Kenya
Abstract
This study had the overall objective of establishing the relationship between service
quality and customer satisfaction in retail banking from banking institutions
perspective in Kenya. The study was carried out through a census of the entire
banking industry among the commercial banks so as to get their views on perceptions
on what they consider quality service and whether there was any relationship between
quality of service offered by banks and customer satisfaction. Primary data was
collected from the respondents through questionnaires and key informants interviews.
A total of 43 questionnaires were sent and administered out of which 30 responded
and 13 did not respond giving a response rate of 69.76% and a non-response rate of
30.24%.This was a credible response and adequate to get views on the banking
industry to address the study objectives. Secondary data from observation,
management reports and a few customers were used to verify and validate the primary
data. The data collected was analyzed using content analysis to present information
pertaining to the study objective. Research findings revealed that there was clear
indication that happy clients will tell other potential clients about the services they get
from the bank hence help recruit more members. These results were consistent with
literature as pointed out by Kotler and Keller (2006) that customer satisfaction
determines the success or failure of a business and customers are very sensitive to the
quality of service that they receive from the service providers .The results show that
they is a positive and significant relationship between quality of service and customer
satisfaction similar to those observations made by Lee et al (2000), Gilbert and
Veloutsou (2006), Sulieman,(2011) and Buttle (1996) who suggested that service
quality leads to satisfaction. The study recommends that banks incorporate the views
of the clients into the quality of service in accordance to the wants of customers and
this would go a long way in satisfying them. It further recommends that the banks
have to offer quality service to their customers. In doing so more customers would
join and banks will realize improved business performance. Banks in Kenya have no
option but to be of world class standard, committed to excellence in customers’
satisfaction and to play a major role in growing and diversifying financial sector as
observed by Balachandran, (2005).The research findings therefore addressed the
questions under investigation and would be practical to the banking sector as they
strive to serve customers and grow their business.
Publisher
University of Nairobi