Perceived power and smile intensity in service encounters
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Related Research Unit(s)
Detail(s)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal / Publication | Marketing Intelligence and Planning |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Online published | 22 Mar 2022 |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Apr 2022 |
Link(s)
| DOI | DOI |
|---|---|
| Attachment(s) | Documents
Publisher's Copyright Statement
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| Link to Scopus | https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85126794141&origin=recordpage |
| Permanent Link | https://scholars.cityu.edu.hk/en/publications/publication(5fdcb60b-1b6f-4926-8dc8-70e06a8b88de).html |
Abstract
Purpose - Smiles displayed at varying intensities by service providers may result in different social judgments by customers, affecting decision-making. This study investigates the joint effect of customers' sense of power (low vs. high) and service providers' smile intensity (slight vs. broad) on their warmth and competence perceptions in service encounters.
Design/methodology/approach - The authors conducted four experiments based on the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) of social judgments and the agentic-communal model of power, and assessed the impact of perceived power and smile intensity in different service encounter contexts.
Findings - The interaction effect of customers' sense of power (low vs. high) and service providers' smile intensity (slight vs. broad) influences customers' social judgments (warmth perceptions vs. competence perceptions). A service provider who displays a broad smile is more likely to be perceived as warmer by customers with a low sense of power, but less competent by those with a high sense of power. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that the combined effect of customers' sense of power and service providers' smile intensity on customers' subjective well-being and purchase intentions might be attributed to their social judgments.
Originality/value - This study reveals the intrinsic mechanism behind the interaction effect between smile intensity and sense of power affecting customers' purchase intentions and subjective well-being, namely, warmth/competence perceptions.
Design/methodology/approach - The authors conducted four experiments based on the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) of social judgments and the agentic-communal model of power, and assessed the impact of perceived power and smile intensity in different service encounter contexts.
Findings - The interaction effect of customers' sense of power (low vs. high) and service providers' smile intensity (slight vs. broad) influences customers' social judgments (warmth perceptions vs. competence perceptions). A service provider who displays a broad smile is more likely to be perceived as warmer by customers with a low sense of power, but less competent by those with a high sense of power. Furthermore, mediation analysis revealed that the combined effect of customers' sense of power and service providers' smile intensity on customers' subjective well-being and purchase intentions might be attributed to their social judgments.
Originality/value - This study reveals the intrinsic mechanism behind the interaction effect between smile intensity and sense of power affecting customers' purchase intentions and subjective well-being, namely, warmth/competence perceptions.
Research Area(s)
- Competence perception, Purchase intention, Sense of power, Smile intensity, Subjective well-being, Warmth perception
Citation Format(s)
Perceived power and smile intensity in service encounters. / Yao, Qi; Wan, Qiuyan; Li, Shihao et al.
In: Marketing Intelligence and Planning, Vol. 40, No. 3, 11.04.2022.
In: Marketing Intelligence and Planning, Vol. 40, No. 3, 11.04.2022.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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