Durgesh
Agnihotri, (2018) has stated in his study the servicescape concepts has been developed and
introduced by great researcher Booms and Bitner (1981) in order to represent
the physical environments totality along with its services establishments and the
servicescapes has becomes the one of the major components in the hospitality
industry. There are the several researchers who have defined the servicesceapes
as the major objectives for the customer satisfaction in the restaurants
business. It also includes the objectives of the entire physical factors, which
can control according to the performances of the firms. It requires for the
forms in order to enhance actions of the customers and employees.
Therefore, there are the several researchers who
have observed that lighting and colours have significant impacts on the
customer satisfaction. It also includes the services provider and their
satisfaction levels. They have suggested strongly lighting and colours are considered
as the major part of the servicescape and physical environments. There are the
numbers of the researcher who have evaluates the association among the shopping
behaviour and manipulation of the servicescape and they are emphasizing on the
betterment of the physical environments of the restaurants in order to enhance
the level of the customers satisfaction.
The physical environments of the restaurants can be the success factors for
creating the positive behaviour of the customers. In the business of the
service delivery, the role of the servicescape in very important and it can be
the essential elements for enhancing the customer satisfaction level.
The servicescape is defined as the environment that
is required for catching the attention of the customers for providing the good
services in order to create the positive behaviours of the customers (Durgesh Agnihotri, 2018).
Voon, (2012 )
has stated the servicescape
is usually referred as the tangibles of the restaurants that has also been found
for affecting the evaluations of the service quality of the customers and it also
includes the post purchase behaviours of the customers. The comprehensive
model had also presented for the
evaluating and understanding the physical surroundings of the restaurants as
well service organization by which behaviours of the customers can be
influenced easily. It also includes the various dimensions such as music, noise
and ambient conditions if the restaurants. The servicescape
are also contains on the spatial layout, lighting, temperature and the
arrangements of the furniture is the one of the special parts of the servicescape
in the restaurant industry. According to the few researchers of the markets
signage, decore, symbols, artefacts and equipment’s are the parts of the servicescape.
The managements of the restaurants are focusing on the quality of the services
cape. Few of the authors has finalize the concepts of the servicescape by
defining it as intangible nature of the services which can leads the consumers
for making cognitive measurements of the service quality which is based upon
the extrinsic cues and founded in servicescape (Mark S. Rosenbaum, 2011). The physical environments
can affects the physical movements and comforts of the customers. According to
the contrary concepts, it has been founded that the servicescape had little bit
impacts on the customer’s positive behaviours and customer’s satisfaction. It
had small impacts on the customer’s loyalty for the restaurants and
satisfaction of the customers (Voon, 2012 ).
Ambient conditions:
The atmosphere is
perceived customer quality of the environment space (Jang and Liu, 2008).
According to Kotler (1973) said that awareness designed space to generate
specific emotional effects in the buyer, thereby increasing the probability of
their purchase. Atmosphere by a series of elements, such as light, music,
scents and colors. Environmental psychology research shows that the atmosphere
of customer attitudes, emotions and behaviors have a great impact. Ryu and Jang
(2007) found that the atmosphere such as music, temperature and aroma and the
appearance of employees to customers' emotional reaction "produced the
most significant impact, which in turn affects the behavior of customers’
postprandial intent. Zeithaml&Bitner (2003) said the environmental
conditions include restaurant dining environment background characteristics,
such as interior layout, exterior layout, sense, lighting and music. Wakefield
and Blodgett (1994) pointed out that if customers are not satisfied with the
environmental conditions, may not return to the restaurant. Environmental
factors that profoundly affect people's perception of the specific atmosphere
of the restaurant, thinking and evaluation.
According to Chiguvi
(2017), the ambient conditions are able to influence the customers’
satisfaction. The ambient conditions in the restaurant could trigger either a
positive or a negativeimpact on the customer satisfaction. Moreover,
theauthorhas also explained that ambient settings is considered as a factor
that able to affect the human’s perceptions and responses toward the
environment itself. In addition to this, ambient conditions also mentioned to
cover up an array of background appearances of the environment, for example
like lighting, temperature, music, noise, as well as fragrance in a dining
room. Among all of the human senses, the olfactory sense, which defines as a
smell sense, has the highest influence on the emotions of the customers. In
addition to this, certain scent incites basic emotional reactions due to the
olfactory lobe is really a part of the limbic structure. Accordingly, the
humans’ nose is directly linked to the olfactory lobe and also the limbic
structure as well(Chiguvi, 2017).
KisangRyu and Heesup Han
(2010) also stated that the physical environment has been considered as an
essential determinant of customer psychology (such as satisfaction and
disconfirmation) along with the behaviour at the time a service is consumed
mainly for hedonic drives and also when the customers employ enough to lengthy
periods within the atmospheric space. In the context of restaurants, the
customers might spend more than two hours, and they might able to sense the
physical atmosphere intentionally and unintentionally right from before,
during, as well as after the meal has completed.Besides
than food and service, a delight physical setting of restaurants (e.g., stylish
interior and design, nice music, amazing lighting, ambient fragrance, table
setting, along with the staff’s service) must determine to a wide extent of the
overall satisfaction’s degree of customers along with their loyally as well(Ryu & Han,
2010).
Lightening:
According to Quartier,
(2014) lighting takes into account several
variables: brightness, contrast, glare and sparkle, decorative lighting and
lighting installation. They explain in their article that lighting cannot only
influence emotions, moods, and cognition but also the atmosphere and the
spatial impression. Some studies show that customers are drawn toward the light
but also that light can draw the attention to particular products. Indeed
according to Quartier, Vanri and Van Cleempoel, (2014) lighting can increase
the attractiveness of a product in a store (Quartier, 2014).
Music:
Musicscape is a term used by several resaerchers to talk about the musical
environment; it is an important part of numerous studies in the retail and
restaurant environment context.
Space/function:
One element of the
restaurant atmosphere is the spatial layout. It refers to the layout implement,
furniture and facilities, the dimension and appearance of these items, and the
spatial connection between them (Zeithaml&Bitner, 2003). At the same time,
this feature means that the ability of these projects to promote customers'
gladness and comfort. For example, effective layout and capability will provide
easy access and exit, and access to the bathroom and other areas more
accessible. According Heung and Gu (2012) believes that a well-designed
restaurant helps avoid overcrowding, to create a positive impression on the
customers in the restaurant, it is considered to enhance the dining experience
of key atmospheric elements. The appearance of the restaurant to the customer
left a first impression.
The appearance of the
restaurant will not only invite and draw guests’ attention for dinner, but also
affect their dining experience (Rande, 1995, Jordaan&Prinsloo, 2001). For
details, when the customer approached the restaurant, they will carefully
inspect its exterior and parking area, which determines the safety of the
restaurant. Customers also concerned about the appearance of attraction and
restaurant maintenance, including the color of the building, windows, curtains,
entry type and flowers (Jordaan&Prinsloo, 2001). Here is the burning sign
outside the restaurant and the paint peeling of the old customers may reduce
the overall operation of the building. (Rande, 1995).
HeesupHan and KisangRyu(2009) proposed
that spatial layout denotes tie the method in which the entire objects
(furnishing) are organized properly in the environment. Research has also
mentioned an effective spatial layout would also able to facilitate the
completion of hedonic requirements. Spatial layout that able to make the people
to feel limited might have direct impact on the customer quality ideas, the
level of excitement, besides than indirectly impact on their desire to return
back to the place. This suggests that the service or retail amenities that are
particularly constructed to add certain excitement level or else arousal to the
service experience in the restaurants must provide plenty rooms to facilitate
exploration along with the stimulation to the physical environment(Han & Ryu,
2009).
Moreover, Omar, Ariffin, and Ahmad(2015)
stated that spatial layout which refers to the way of how the furniture are
arranged, the design and size of this furniture, along with the spatial
interactions between them. On the other hand, functionality defines as the
capability of those furniture items to facilitate the delight and comfort for
the entire customers. The authors also mentioned that a restaurant with an
excellent layout would able to help in avoiding overcrowd. As a consequence,
would able to create a positive impression among all of the customers, and for
this reason, an excellent layout has been frequently considered to be the main
atmospheric component in improving the dining experience for the customers(Omar, Ariffin,
& Ahmad, 2015).
The impact of placing the appropriate
furniture in restaurants according to Lam, Chan, Fong, and Lo (2011) also able
to influence the affective response of comfort as well. As a consequence, the
customers who are able to feel comfortable would experience more optimistic
affective. For this reason, creating such dining environments that would make
the customers to feel comfortable has been considered as the main goal of the
interior designers in restaurants. An example for the restaurants to follow was
mentioned as the seating comfort in casino environment which able to make the
customers stay longer in the casino. On the same context of spacing and comforting,
the seats in restaurants also influence to make the customers not to only have
some quick meals. Instead, they would spend a longer time in the restaurants
due to the excellent dining experience that they feel(Lam, Chan, Fong, & Lo,
2011).
Harris and Ezeh (2008) described furnishing
as the component that directly influences the presentation and comfort of both
the customers and the staff in the servicescape. In fact, investigational
approach also have been conductedto highlight that individuals’ valuation of
the service quality is, in some measure, depending on their visual versions of
the furnishings in restaurants. Moreover, the authors also mentioned that
assessments are also associated the physical experiences which has revealed
that the comfort has been considered as the most important one for the
customers. The authors also have conducted theexperimental approach to
highlightthat individuals’ assessment of the service quality is, in part,
contingent on their visual interpretations of the furnishings of a context. The
internal buildings layout might either restrict or ease the movement of
customers in restaurants, and for this reason, able to provoke a sense of
crowding or airiness(Harris &
Ezeh, 2008).
Signs, symbols and
artefacts:
Signs, symbols and artefacts
for enhancing certain image artefacts or customers to a desired destination. As
the information on the restaurant's send a clear signal in the banner displayed
inside and outside the restaurant. Logo can be used as labels (eg. a restaurant
name) for directional purposes (eg. entry, exit) and communicated rules of
conduct (eg. No smoking, children must be accompanied by an adult).
Communication between symbols and artefacts are not as straightforward logo, a
hidden clue to the customer about the restaurant. For example, white table
cover and soft lighting to communicate symbolical meaning of full service and
comparatively high prices. Zeithaml and Bitner (2003) explains symbols to
convey the workpiece is especially significant for new service ideas and create
a first impression.
Hanks, Line, and Woody Kim(2017)
proposed that signs, symbols, as well as some artefacts also provide a specific
image or toward the anticipated destinations. Signs that are presented on both
interior and exterior of a restaurant serve as obvious signals that
representing the restaurant itself to all of the customers. Besides than the
appealing of architectural design facilities, the customers are also able to
get the influence from other features of interior design like ornamental signs,
pictures, banners, or further fixtures. In fact, these items included in
interior design might also serve to improve the apparent quality of the
servicescape. Furthermore, signs and symbols denote to corporeal signals that
deliver indications or hints meant for manoeuvring purposes, offer information
around the appropriate behaviour in servicescape and might also serve as a
symbolic function. Certain signs present elementary functions such as providing
navigations to a place, meanwhile, other further complicated signs typically
communicate throughout common meaning scheme(Hanks, Line,
& Kim, 2017).
Music:
Chebat
and Dominique Vaillant (2001) have investigated the impact of music background
on both the behaviour and satisfaction of the customers in restaurants. The
findings specified that music has a capability to control physical element of
human rather than other atmospheric elements. In fact, music has been observed
as something that influence the responses of customers to the service
environments, within a normally positive behaviour. Moreover, noted that
playing music within any service environments is similar like adding a positive
feature to a product, and for this reason, the outcome would be a further
positive appraisal of the environment itself(Chebat, Chebat,
& Vaillant, 2001).
Ariffin,
Bibon, and Raja Abdullah (2017) claim that since music is considered as the
main aspect in setting up the atmospheric in restaurants, then it is essential
to note for the restaurants’ owners that the proper style of music would be
played to accompany the dining. In addition to this, the authors also have
asserted that fast music would able to increase the customers’ reversal in
restaurants, while slow music would able to increase the spending amount of the
customers. The reason is due to loud or fast music would increase arousal,
which simply means that the customers would tent to finish their meal faster.
In the same way, slow music would make the customers to drink slowly, eat fewer
bites each minute, and would likely makes them to order some desserts as well(Ariffin, Bibon,
& Abdullah, 2017).
Moreover,
Harris and Ezeh(2008) have proposed in their journal that music is described by
as a complicated chemistry that has the capability to affect the human’s moods.
In fact, music has turned out to become the main element of customer marketing,
both at the purchase point as well as in advertising point. Without a doubt,
the authors have highlighted that variations in music would able to affect the
individuals’ responses. For this reason, the authors mentioned that music tempo
affects the speed of the customers in consuming their meals in restaurants. In
addition to this, the author also stated that the greater perception of
customers toward the appropriateness of music, the greater intentions of the
customers to become loyal to the restaurant(Harris &
Ezeh, 2008).
Customer satisfaction:
Zeithaml&Bitner (2003) defined as the satisfaction of the judgment
of the product or service features, and provides a pleasant level
consumption-concerned fulfillment. Pizam and Ellis (1999) definition of
customer "satisfaction" is to get people through attractive products
and / or services brought joy and pleasure of hopes and expectations. Choi and
Chu (2001) believes that customer satisfaction is the food or the service they
get at least a good evaluation is expected. Customer satisfaction is defined as
the purchase decision on the purchase of assessments determined.
Oliver (1997) will also be the customer "satisfaction" as
"customer satisfaction response, it is delightful or disagreeable meet
extent." Satisfaction display reflects the customer's perception of
service provider performance status.While customer satisfaction "have
different definitions, but the basic fact is that satisfaction is not a unlined
substance but a different state or level .Cronin and Taylor (1992) define
customer satisfaction is an important factor, because it reports customers' the
results of the subjective evaluation of customer value is customer satisfaction
transaction or relationship perception, equal to its value relative to price
and customer acquisition costs in the perceived quality of service (Hallowell,
1996).
According to Bihamta,
Jayashree, Rezaei, Okumus, and RoyaRahimi (2017), one of the furthermost
critical components of the entire dining experience is definitelythe food
quality. Food quality has been described as the variety of menu, presentation,
healthy selections, taste, freshness, as well as temperature. Furthermore, food
quality in restaurants has been considered as the fundamental thing that able
to influence both satisfaction and loyalty of the customers. In addition to
this, the food quality has claimed to be the main determinant for the
customers’ perception in considering visiting the restaurant again. Moreover, the
main forecaster of the customers’ loyalty in casual dining restaurants has been
mentioned to be food quality. Food quality has discovered to have a positive
relation with the satisfaction intentions(Bihamta,
Jayashree, Rezaei, Okumus, & Rahimi, 2017).
Sabir, Ghafoor, Hafeez,
Akhtar, and Asad Ur Rehman(2014) mentioned that there are different variables
which able to influence the satisfaction of customers for using the restaurant’
services both directly and indirectly. The variables stated as the price,
service quality, and also the restaurants’ environment. These variables are
identified as resources that influence the customers to spend more money for
these features. In the context of quality, food materials that delivered by the
restaurants is quite essential due to it would affect the customers’ mind set
and develop satisfaction for the specific food. In the context of price, even
though some customers might prefer the inexpensive price for their food, but
still, they do realize that the price should be reasonable enough to present
the food quality. Finally, in the context of environment, the customers would
willing to spend more for the food if they could feel comfortable with the
restaurant’s environment(Sabir, Ghafoor,
Hafeez, Akhtar, & Rehman, 2014).
Customer behavior:
Behavioral intentions are often used in
place of practical behavior (Fishbein and Ajzen 1975). Current research shows that
customer satisfaction is a pioneer in behavioral intentions and practical
behavior (Westbrook and Oliver 1991). As to re-examine the intentions, it is
always concerning to customer satisfaction, restaurant to provide customers
with higher satisfaction, higher likelihood of (Han et al.2009) re-examination.
Word of mouth (WOM) can also be restricted for consumer goods and services to
communicate to consumers. It has a powerful persuasive, especially in terms of
information dissemination of new products. According Ennew (2000), WOM is used
to depict an energetic or negative verbal exchanges between groups, such as
between product providers, single-handed experts, household and friends as well
as actual or latent consumers. Among these services, guests depend heavily on
recommendations to other people experienced the service. Consumer acceptance of
service performance results, they use this info to appearance their
expectations and to achieve the desired others by word of mouth. Faithfulness
is a positive word of mouth, the intent and want to re-examine the
recommendations of the measure, which came from Mattila (2001) and Evanschitzky
(2006) and others. Zeithaml (1988) stated that the decision become aware of
worth plays an major role in consumer purchases, which indicates that
behavioral purpose are the result of become aware of worth. When customers
feeling a high standard of value from the consumer sensibleness, they tend to
convey the author's main dispositions. High-value customers efficient and
economical respects of prior experience will be more likely to revisit
intention.
Joshi (2012) has identified that the
selection aspects in choosing the favourable restaurants are included the type
of food, the food quality, and also the money value. Furthermore, it is also
suggested that if the customer would perceive that some restaurants provide
similar type of food, equality in the price and food quality, then those
customers would see the atmosphere of restaurants to make a final decision. For
this reason, it is fair to say that the customers’ behaviour also was
influenced by type of food, the food quality, and also the money value that
provided by a restaurant. Moreover, the author also has mentioned that the
customers’ satisfaction in a high level would able to improve the intentions of
the customers to revisit, repurchase, and recommend the restaurants to others(Joshi, 2012).
Al-Tit (2015) has stated that when
customers decide whether to revisit or not, they put the consideration not only
from the recent and previous evaluations of the restaurants’ performance.
Instead, the author has also evaluated the future anticipations as well. In the
context of the relationship between the customer satisfaction and the customer
retention, the authors found out that the customer satisfaction has an
optimistic effect on the customer retention. In fact, in accordance with
intention of customers to repurchase along with WOM or Word of Mouth as parts
of customer loyalty, and signified that the customer satisfaction is the main
driver to improve the customer retention(Al-Tit, 2015).
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