Perceived power and smile intensity in service encounters

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

7 Scopus Citations
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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Journal / PublicationMarketing Intelligence and Planning
Volume40
Issue number3
Online published22 Mar 2022
Publication statusPublished - 11 Apr 2022

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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.

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.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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