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Interactivity in online chat: Conversational cues and visual cues in the service recovery process

Author

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  • Huang, Yingying
  • Gursoy, Dogan
  • Zhang, Meng
  • Nunkoo, Robin
  • Shi, Si

Abstract

Use of both verbal and nonverbal cues in computer-mediated communication can influence customers’ perceptions and their behavioral intentions. Drawing on the compensation effect theory, this study investigates how verbal and nonverbal cues used by customer service agents during online service recovery processes affect customers’ perceptions of service chat agents’ warmth and competence and their willingness to cooperate with a service agent to complete the service recovery process. A 2 (message interactivity cues: high vs. low) × 2 (visual cues: high vs. low) between-subjects experimental design is utilized to identify the main and interaction effects of verbal and visual nonverbal cues used in online communications on customers attitudes and behaviors. Results show that use of verbal cues leads to higher perception of a chat agent’s competence, but lower perception of a chat agent’s warmth while use of visual nonverbal cues results in higher warmth perceptions but lower competence perceptions. The interaction effect of verbal and visual nonverbal cues indicates that visual nonverbal cues have a compensatory effect on message interactivity and vice versa, such that customer-perceived warmth and competence are prone to trade-offs between verbal cues and visual nonverbal cues. Furthermore, perceived warmth and competence mediate the indirect effects of verbal and nonverbal cues on customers’ cooperation intentions. Theoretical and practical implications of use of verbal and nonverbal cues during online communications in service recovery processes are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Yingying & Gursoy, Dogan & Zhang, Meng & Nunkoo, Robin & Shi, Si, 2021. "Interactivity in online chat: Conversational cues and visual cues in the service recovery process," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ininma:v:60:y:2021:i:c:s0268401221000530
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102360
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    Cited by:

    1. Pham, Hong Chuong & Duong, Cong Doanh & Nguyen, Giang Khanh Huyen, 2024. "What drives tourists’ continuance intention to use ChatGPT for travel services? A stimulus-organism-response perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Xu, Ying & Niu, Nan & Zhao, Zixiang, 2023. "Dissecting the mixed effects of human-customer service chatbot interaction on customer satisfaction: An explanation from temporal and conversational cues," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Yao, Ruiqi & Qi, Guijie & Wu, Zhiqiang & Sun, Hua & Sheng, Dongfang, 2024. "Digital human calls you dear: How do customers respond to virtual streamers’ social-oriented language in e-commerce livestreaming? A stereotyping perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).

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