proposal word
proposal word
BY
I.D NO 815/13
SEPTEMBER, 2024
HARAR, ETHIOPIA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is my pleasure to thank my advisor, MR. REMEDAN.Y, for her guidance
and encouragement in preparing and finishing this research work and his support was
impressive in those pressurized times. Genuine gratitude goes to my family for they
are always unforgettable for they had invested their life to make me go to school which
was the base for today and still their encouragement is a spice of my success. I am also
grateful for the CBE employees and clients who have shown their sincere cooperation in
filling and returning of questionnaires in time.
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Acronyms
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Table of Contents
Acknowledgment …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… i
TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
CHAPTER ONE..................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO..................................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................... 12
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2.3.2 The impact of service quality on customer retention..............................................................................15
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CHAPTER THREE......................................................................................................................................17
3.RESEARCH METHODOLOGY..............................................................................................................17
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................................................................... 23
Appendix................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
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CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
This chapter provides an overview of the research background, defines the research
objectives, and presents the problem statement. Additionally, it outlines the research
questions, highlights the significance of the study, and discusses its scope, limitations, and
Service quality is a crucial determinant of customer satisfaction and retention in the banking
sector. In today’s highly competitive banking environment, providing superior service quality
has become essential for banks to differentiate themselves, build customer loyalty, and ensure
long-term success. Globally, banks have been investing in improving service quality to meet
the evolving expectations of customers, who now demand faster, more reliable, and more
personalized services (Parasuraman, Zeithaml, & Berry, 1988). The rise of digital banking,
coupled with technological advancements, has further transformed the banking landscape,
creating new challenges and opportunities for enhancing service quality (Zeithaml, 2010).
In Ethiopia, the banking sector has experienced significant growth and modernization, driven
by economic reforms and increased competition among banks. The Commercial Bank of
Ethiopia (CBE), as the largest and oldest state-owned bank in the country, has been at the
forefront of these changes. Serving millions of customers across the nation, CBE’s
commitment to service quality is pivotal in maintaining its market leadership (Tesfaye, 2023).
Within the Harar District, the CBE branches have been instrumental in catering to the diverse
needs of businesses, government entities, and individual customers. However, as the banking
environment becomes increasingly competitive, the ability of CBE Harar District Branches to
deliver high-quality service and retain customers is more important than ever (Getahun,
2022).
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One of the key challenges facing the CBE Harar District Branches is the need to continuously
improve service quality to meet the growing and changing expectations of customers. The
increasing adoption of digital banking channels has altered customer interactions with their
banks, making it imperative for CBE to ensure that the quality of its digital services matches
or exceeds that of its traditional services (Demissie, 2021). Additionally, the cultural and
service. The region’s rich cultural heritage and the population’s preference for personalized
local expectations (Bekele, 2022). Moreover, economic factors such as income fluctuations
and employment rates influence customer needs and expectations, further complicating the
Despite the recognized importance of service quality, there is a lack of in-depth studies
focusing on its impact on both customer satisfaction and retention within the Ethiopian
banking sector, particularly at the branch level. Most existing research has focused on
broader aspects of banking operations or macroeconomic trends, with little emphasis on the
service quality strategies employed by individual branches. This study aims to address this
gap by evaluating service quality at the CBE Harar District Branches and its effect on an
integrated measure of customer satisfaction and retention. The insights gained from this
research are expected to be valuable not only for the CBE but also for other banks operating
in similar contexts.
Ultimately, this study is based on the premise that service quality is intrinsically linked to an
integrated metric of customer satisfaction and retention. A bank that consistently delivers
high-quality service is more likely to enhance both customer satisfaction and retention
simultaneously, leading to increased customer loyalty and a stronger market position. The
findings from this study are expected to contribute to the broader discourse on service quality
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in the banking sector and provide practical recommendations for improving both dimensions
In the increasingly competitive banking sector, service quality is a key factor influencing
customer satisfaction and retention. The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Harar District
Branches face the challenge of maintaining high service quality amid evolving customer
expectations and the rapid adoption of digital banking technologies (Ayele, 2022). While
digital banking presents opportunities for enhancing service delivery, it also brings
Despite the CBE’s leading role in Ethiopia’s banking industry, the Harar District Branches
struggle with meeting customer expectations related to service quality. Issues such as long
wait times, inadequate customer service, and inconsistencies in the quality of digital and in-
challenges are compounded by the unique cultural and socio-economic factors in Harar,
which influence customer preferences and expectations. This study aims to address these
issues by assessing the current state of service quality at the CBE Harar District Branches and
1. What is the current level of service quality at the CBE Harar District Branches?
2. How does service quality influence the integrated measure of customer satisfaction
3. What strategies have the CBE Harar District Branches implemented to improve
service quality?
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4. How effective are these strategies in enhancing the integrated measure of customer
The general objective of this study is to assess the impact of service quality on an integrated
measure of customer satisfaction and retention at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Harar
District Branches.
1. To evaluate the current level of service quality at the CBE Harar District Branches.
2. To identify the factors that influence service quality and its effect on the integrated
branches.
This study holds significant value for the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and the broader
banking industry. By providing an in-depth analysis of service quality and its impact on an
integrated measure of customer satisfaction and retention, the study offers valuable insights
that can help CBE refine its service delivery strategies. Improved service quality can lead to
higher customer satisfaction, stronger customer loyalty, and a more competitive market
position for the bank. The study also contributes to the academic and practical understanding
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of service quality in the banking sector, offering recommendations that could be applicable to
The findings of this study will be particularly beneficial for the CBE Harar District Branches
in enhancing their service quality and retention strategies. Additionally, other banks can use
practices.
This study focuses on the service quality of the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Harar District
and retention. The study is limited to the Harar District Branches due to constraints in time,
resources, and finances. The research will target customers who have engaged with the
branches’ services within the past year to gather relevant and recent data.
The study faces several limitations, including potential bias in customer responses due to
service quality. Additionally, the study is confined to the CBE Harar District Branches, which
may limit the applicability of the findings to other branches or banks in different regions of
Ethiopia. Combining customer satisfaction and retention into a single dependent variable may
also mask individual nuances of these dimensions, potentially oversimplifying the complex
This research paper is organized into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the study,
scope, limitations, and organization of the paper. Chapter Two reviews relevant literature on
service quality and its impact on the integrated measure of customer satisfaction and retention
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in the banking industry. Chapter Three details the research methodology, including data
collection methods. Chapter Four presents the data analysis and interpretation. Finally,
Chapter Five concludes the report with a summary of findings and provides
recommendations.
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CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction
In today’s highly competitive financial landscape, banks must excel in service quality to
secure customer satisfaction and loyalty. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of
theoretical and empirical literature regarding service quality, customer satisfaction, and
retention in the banking industry. It starts by defining service quality and comparing it to the
quality in banking, customer expectations, and perceptions. The chapter concludes with a
review of empirical research on how service quality impacts the combined variable of
customer satisfaction and retention, with a particular focus on the branches of the
Service quality remains a critical factor in the success of banks, deeply influencing customer
satisfaction and retention. Unlike physical products, services are intangible, inseparable from
their delivery, variable, and perishable (Zeithaml, Bitner, &Gremler, 2013). These
depends not only on the service outcomes but also on the service delivery process.
Grönroos (2001) outlines service quality as encompassing two main dimensions: technical
quality, which pertains to the 'what' of the service (e.g., accuracy of transactions), and
functional quality, which refers to the 'how' of service delivery (e.g., the behavior of bank
staff). These dimensions highlight the need for banks to carefully manage both the outcomes
how they are perceived by customers. In banking, these characteristics emphasize the
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importance of creating a tangible service experience through brand reputation, professional
Cronin and Taylor (1992). Unlike SERVQUAL, which measures the gap between customer
Reliability: The ability of the bank to consistently provide accurate and dependable
services. This dimension reflects the bank's track record in fulfilling its promises and
Responsiveness: The bank’s willingness to assist customers and address their needs
promptly. This dimension emphasizes the speed and efficiency of service delivery and
Assurance: The confidence and trust that the bank's staff and security measures
courtesy of the staff, as well as the overall security of the banking environment.
Empathy: The personalized attention and understanding that the bank offers to its
customers. This dimension assesses how well the bank caters to individual customer
Tangibles: The physical evidence of service, such as the appearance of the bank’s
facilities and the quality of its communication materials. This dimension considers the
approach to assessing service quality. This model helps banks understand how well they are
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performing across various service aspects and identify areas for improvement to enhance
individual needs, forming the benchmark against which service quality is judged. In banking,
high expectations may include accurate transactions, swift service, secure financial
The SERVPERF model simplifies the evaluation process by measuring service performance
perceive the actual service delivery, which is critical for assessing service quality and
Desired Service: Represents the ideal level of service customers aspire to receive.
For example, this might include seamless online transactions and prompt loan
approvals.
Adequate Service: The minimum acceptable level of service that customers will
tolerate. This could include minor delays or occasional errors as long as they are
rectified satisfactorily.
Zone of Tolerance: The range within which customers can accept variations in
service performance. For instance, customers may accept a brief wait time at a bank
Empirical studies using the SERVPERF model reveal insights into the relationship between
service quality and customer satisfaction in Ethiopian banks. For instance, Getachew (2015)
found that reliability and responsiveness were vital for customer satisfaction in the
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Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE). Customers valued dependable services and prompt
issue resolution.
Retention studies using the SERVPERF model show that service quality directly influences
customer loyalty. Alemu and Tadesse (2020) found that reliability and assurance were key to
retaining customers at Dashen Bank, as trust in the bank's ability to manage financial needs
fostered loyalty.
Birhanu and Alemayehu (2022) demonstrated that cultural alignment with local values at
reducing churn.
The conceptual framework for this study uses the SERVPERF model to explore the impact of
and retention. This approach combines these two aspects into a single measure to streamline
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Customer Satisfaction and Retention: This integrated measure reflects both the
(satisfaction) and the likelihood of customers continuing to use the bank’s services
Benefits: Combining customer satisfaction and retention into a single dependent variable
offers several advantages. It simplifies the analysis process by consolidating two critical
aspects of customer outcomes into one measure. This approach provides a comprehensive
view of overall customer engagement, making it easier to identify and address key drivers of
customer loyalty and service performance. Additionally, it can be more practical in studies
with limited time and resources, as it reduces the complexity and scope of the research.
Limitations: While beneficial, this approach has limitations. Combining satisfaction and
retention into a single variable may obscure the specific impacts on each aspect. Detailed
insights into the distinct drivers of satisfaction and retention could be lost. Furthermore, the
integrated approach may be less effective in scenarios requiring in-depth analysis of each
dependent variable. Nonetheless, for studies constrained by time and resources, this approach
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CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
This chapter will outline the research design, sampling methods, data collection instruments,
and analysis techniques that will be used in the study. It aims to provide a clear understanding
This study will employ a cross-sectional survey design to assess the impact of service quality
capturing data at a single point in time, providing a snapshot of customer perceptions and
service performance (Creswell, 2014). The descriptive research design will further aid in
detailing findings and making inferences about the factors affecting customer satisfaction.
Both quantitative and qualitative research methods will be utilized. Quantitative methods will
provide statistical analysis of service quality dimensions and their effects on customer
satisfaction and retention, while qualitative insights may be used to enrich the understanding
The study will focus on five branches of CBE located in Harar City: Main Branch, Shewaber
Branch, Aboker (Shenkor) Branch, Hilal Branch, and Jinella Branch. These branches will
CBE, as one of the largest financial institutions in Ethiopia, will serve a significant customer
base with its extensive network of branches and advanced banking services. As of the latest
available data, CBE has a substantial number of active account holders and maintains a
robust presence in various regions of the country. The branches selected for this study will
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cover a significant portion of the customer base in Harar City, providing a comprehensive
The target population will include all customers of the five selected CBE branches in Harar
City, totaling 89,700 customers. The sample size will be determined using the following
where:
To account for practical considerations and response rates, the sample size will be rounded to
384
To allocate this sample across the branches proportionally, the following distribution will be
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Table 3.3.1: Sample Size Distribution by Branch
This proportional distribution ensures that branches with larger customer bases are
adequately represented in the sample, reflecting the diversity of customer experiences across
different branches.
across different customer segments and branch operations. The branches will be stratified
based on their customer base size, and samples will be drawn from each stratum to reflect
their relative proportion. Random sampling will then be used within each stratum to select
satisfaction. Respondents will complete the questionnaires independently, with the option to
return them in person or through secure digital means. The instrument will be accompanied
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by a brief explanation of the study’s purpose to enhance respondent understanding and
commitment.
Primary data will be collected through customer surveys. The quantitative data obtained will
provide insights into the service quality dimensions and their impact on customer satisfaction
and retention. The data collection will focus on assessing variables related to service quality
as perceived by customers.
The data collection instrument will be a structured questionnaire, pretested for clarity and
reliability. The questionnaire, initially prepared in English, will be translated into Amharic
Customer Satisfaction and Retention: This composite variable will integrate customer
satisfaction (how well service meets expectations) and retention (likelihood of continued
service use).
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3.9. Data Processing and Analysis
Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The analysis will include:
T-tests and ANOVA: To assess differences between demographic groups and their impact
on customer satisfaction.
Validity will be ensured through an extensive literature review and expert review of the
established constructs. A pilot test will be conducted to refine the instrument and ensure
validity. Multicollinearity will be assessed using Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) to confirm
Reliability will be measured using Cronbach’s Alpha to ensure the internal consistency of the
questionnaire items. A reliability coefficient above 0.7 will indicate acceptable reliability for
Ethical clearance will be obtained from the institutional review board of Addis Ababa
University. Permission will be granted from all participating CBE branches. Participation will
Participants will be informed about the study’s purpose and their rights, ensuring informed
consent.
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3.11. Operational Definition of Variables
Customer Satisfaction: The extent to which service performance meets or exceeds customer
expectations.
Service Quality: The degree to which service delivery aligns with customer expectations,
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References
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22. Shrandakos, C. (2005). Sampling techniques in social science research. Academic
Press.
23. Tesfaye, B. (2023). Ethiopian Banking Sector: Competition, Growth, and Customer
Retention. Journal of Emerging Markets Finance, 22(1), 74-90.
24. Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., &Gremler, D. D. (2013). Services Marketing:
Integrating Customer Focus across the Firm. McGraw-Hill.
25. Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2010). Business
research methods. Cengage Learning.
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Appendix
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Appendix2 Work plan
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