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  • Customer engagement through...
    Lee, Zach W.Y.; Chan, Tommy K.H.; Chong, Alain Yee-Loong; Thadani, Dimple R.

    Industrial marketing management, 02/2019, Volume: 77
    Journal Article

    While many retailers have turned to omnichannel retailing to remain competitive, engaging customers across channels has become one of the biggest challenges they face. Drawing on social exchange theory, we proposed and tested a research model of customer engagement in the context of omnichannel retailing. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the research model with customers of two emerging omnichannel retailers, Apple (n = 269) and Kroger (n = 221). The results showed that channel integration quality dimensions (including breadth of channel-service choice, transparency of channel-service configuration, content consistency, and process consistency) positively influenced customer engagement which in turn led to positive word-of-mouth and repurchase intention. The research model was examined using both high-involvement products (e.g., Apple) and low-involvement products (e.g., Kroger) despite the varying effects of channel integration quality on customer engagement. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on customer engagement vis-à-vis omnichannel retailing and provides retailers with actionable insights into engaging customers across channels. •Examined the effects of channel integration quality on customer engagement.•Examined the effects of customer engagement on repurchase intention and positive word-of-mouth.•Tested the research model with customers of Apple and Kroger.•Demonstrated the crucial role of channel integration quality in shaping customer engagement.