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Publications

Publications by Belém Barbosa

2022

Churn in services - A bibliometric review

Authors
Ribeiro, H; Barbosa, B; Moreira, AC; Rodrigues, R;

Publication
CUADERNOS DE GESTION

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to identify the most impactful research on customer churn and to map the conceptual and intellectual structure of its field of study. Data were collected from the WoS database, comprising 338 articles published between 1995 and 2020. Several bibliometric techniques were applied, including analysis of co-words, co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship networks. R software and the Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny package were used to perform the analyses. The results identify the most active and influential authors, articles, and journals on the topic. More specifically, through co-citations and bibliographic coupling, it was possible to map the oldest articles (retrospective analysis) and the current research front (prospective analysis). The retrospective analysis, based on co-citations, revealed that the foundations of this research field are constructs such as quality of service, satisfaction, loyalty, and changing behaviors. The prospective analysis, performed through bibliographic coupling, revealed that current research is embedded in predictive analysis, clusters, data mining, and algorithms. The results provide robust guidance for further investigation in this field.

2024

A closer look at customer experience with bundle telecommunication services and its impacts on satisfaction and switching intention

Authors
Ribeiro, H; Barbosa, B; Moreira, AC; Rodrigues, R;

Publication
JOURNAL OF MARKETING ANALYTICS

Abstract
The telecommunications sector faces a major challenge of high customer churn. Despite this, there is still a lack of research that explores the switching intention for telecommunication services, particularly with bundle services that currently dominate the market. This study aims to provide insight into consumer behaviour regarding bundle telecommunication services by examining the factors that impact satisfaction and switching intention, both directly and indirectly. Eighteen hypotheses were defined based on the literature, and were tested through a quantitative study with 910 bundle service customers using structural equation modelling with Smart-PLS. The results show that internet and television services have the strongest indirect impact on switching intention, mediated by overall satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, the results indicate that switching costs and barriers do not significantly affect switching intention, and surprisingly, perceived contractual lock-in positively influences switching intention. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the customer experience with bundled telecommunications services and offers relevant insights for telecommunication managers to prevent customer loss to competitors.

2018

Ethical challenges in researching with children: An application adopting a mixed method approach

Authors
Barbosa, B; Brito, PQ;

Publication
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Abstract
Applying ethical principles to research is essential to ensure both participants’ universal rights and data quality. From the ethical point of view, researching with children poses additional challenges in designing the research, collecting and analysing data. The ethical principles generally accepted in scientific research are complementary, yet presenting conflicts that must be anticipated and mitigated by the researcher. This article explores the application of ethical principles in research with children, considering the different stages of research and both quantitative and qualitative research, proposing a set of six ethical principles to be applied before, during, and after the collection of data. The text includes examples from research adopting a mixed-method approach which involved 779 participants aged 7 to 15 years old. The study demonstrates that there is a strong interdependence among ethical principles applicable to research with children, not devoid of contradictions. Even widely accepted principles such as informed consent are complex and multifaceted. Moreover, the adoption of mixed methodology, in this particular case, has proven to be able to create ethic synergies, making the research globally more balanced. © Springer International Publishing AG 2018.

2019

An Exploratory Study on Children’s Word-of-Mouth Communication

Authors
Barbosa, B; Brito, PQ;

Publication
Developments in Marketing Science: Proceedings of the Academy of Marketing Science

Abstract
This study aims to contribute to the understanding of children’s word-of-mouth communication: how it is processed, its dimensions and its relation to other sources of information and to young consumers’ use of the Internet. Theoretical contributions from consumer socialization, new media and word-of-mouth communication studies are assembled, and an exploratory qualitative analysis in the form of focus group interviews with 7–11-year-old children is reported. We provide empirical evidence for word-of-mouth communication being a common activity among children. Observation and marketing exposure both complement and trigger word-of-mouth activity. Electronic word-of-mouth communication is less frequent, but the Internet is a relevant source of information and marketing exposure; it assists children’s learning about products and brands and furthers their purchase decision processes. This study suggests that word-of-mouth communication received by children is more complex and dynamic as compared to extant literature, suggesting that future research further explores its sought and unsought components, as well as its relationship with non-verbal peer influence that results from observation. © 2019, Academy of Marketing Science.

2021

Travel motivations and constraints of Portuguese retirees

Authors
Filipe, S; Barbosa, B; Santos, CA;

Publication
ANATOLIA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY RESEARCH

Abstract
Retirees have been growing in importance as a consumer segment targeted by the tourism industry, namely because they can minimize the typical seasonality of tourism and increase its sustainability. This study aims to contribute to a more in-depth knowledge of retirees' behaviour and has two objectives: (i) describe tourist behaviour of seniors prior to and after retirement; (ii) identify and analyse retired consumers' current motivations and constraints towards tourism. Qualitative research was conducted comprising interviews with 40 Portuguese retirees. The results indicate a diversity of experiences regarding tourism activities both before and after retirement, evidencing that past experience stands out as a determinant of retirees' tourism behaviour. Moreover, three distinct segments of tourists emerge: the experts, the new tourists, and the non-tourists.

2023

Packaging-free practices in food retail: the impact on customer loyalty

Authors
Barbosa, B; Shojaei, AS; Miranda, H;

Publication
BALTIC JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT

Abstract
PurposeThis study analyzes the impact of packaging-free practices in food retail stores, particularly supermarkets, on customer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachBased on the literature on the impacts of sustainable practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies on consumer behavior, this study defined a set of seven hypotheses that were tested using data collected from 447 consumers that regularly buy food products at supermarkets. The data were subjected to structural equation modeling using SmartPLS.FindingsThis study confirmed that packaging-free practices positively influence brand image, brand trust, satisfaction and customer loyalty. The expected positive impacts of brand image and satisfaction on customer loyalty were also confirmed. However, the expected impact of brand trust on customer loyalty was not confirmed.Practical implicationsThis article demonstrates how a competitive sector can reap benefits from implementing sustainable practices in the operational domain, particularly by offering packaging-free products at the point of purchase. Thus, as recommended, general retail stores (e.g. supermarkets) gradually increase the stores' offering of packaging-free food products, as this practice has been shown to have positive impacts not only on brand image, but also on customer satisfaction and loyalty.Originality/valueThis study extends the literature on the effects of sustainable practices on customer loyalty, by focusing on a specific practice. Furthermore, this study contributes to the advancement of research on packaging-free practices in retail by developing a research framework and providing evidence on the direct and indirect effects of this specific practice on customer loyalty.

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