The influence of internal market orientation on external outcomes: The mediating role of employees’ attitudes
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the possible influence of internal marketing (represented by internal market orientation (IMO)) on external customer outcomes (perceived service quality and customer satisfaction) through the mediating role of employees’ attitudes (job satisfaction, trust and commitment) that comprise relationship quality.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ a dyadic methodology, with 244 dyads (employee-the average of his/her three patients) at the outpatient services of five Spanish hospitals. The authors use structural equation modelling (EQS6.1) to test the relationships of the model.
Findings
The results corroborate the hypotheses proposed in the model, with the exception of the influence of IMO on commitment. Significant differences in some relationships, depending on the experience of the employee, are also corroborated.
Research limitations/implications
The paper analyses one service activity in the same region. Only perceptual data are used to measure the variables of the model.
Practical implications
Service companies should consider IMO because it contributes to creating an excellent customer experience. Furthermore, managers should bear in mind their employees’ needs when taking decisions.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating, for the first time, the mediating role of relationship quality in the influence of IMO on external outcomes. It is also the first paper in internal marketing to analyse the differences in the consequences of IMO according to employee tenure.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the two anonymous referees for their valuable comments, which have substantially contributed to improving the paper. Without their insightful suggestions, the authors would not have performed the multi-group analysis of the moderating role of employee tenure in the influence of IMO on employee attitudes and organisational performance.
Citation
Tortosa Edo, V., Llorens-Monzonís, J., Moliner-Tena, M.Á. and Sánchez-García , J. (2015), "The influence of internal market orientation on external outcomes: The mediating role of employees’ attitudes", Journal of Service Theory and Practice, Vol. 25 No. 4, pp. 486-523. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTP-11-2013-0259
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited