Purpose -This paper focuses on the determinants of student satisfaction and retention in a college or university that are assumed to impact students' college experience. Design/methodology/approach -Using empirical data and Herzberg's two-factor theory, a modified version of the questionnaire developed by Keaveney and Young was administered to approximately 160 undergraduate business students at a state university in South Central Pennsylvania. Using path analysis, the hypothesized effects were tested empirically by incorporating a comprehensive set of independent variables and self-reported experiential assessments to predict experience, which in turn related to student satisfaction. Findings -The results indicate that the path coefficients from faculty and classes to students' partial college experience are consistent with the assumption that these are key factors that influence student partial college experience. Also, the path coefficient from student partial college experience to satisfaction was consistent with Herzberg's two-factor theory. In addition, students who have a positive college experience are more likely to be satisfied with the college or university than students who do not have a positive college experience. Research limitations/implications -By focusing on antecedents of student satisfaction, colleges and universities can align their organizational structure, processes and procedures to become more customer-oriented. Small sample size and self-explicated retention data are the limitations of this study. Practical implications -It is recommended in this study that the changing nature of the higher education marketplace encourages college administrators to apply the customer-oriented principles that are used in profit-making institutions. Originality/value -Using a satisfaction model and a comprehensive set of independent variables and self-reported experiential assessments to predict experience, this paper provides empirical findings to understand student satisfaction in higher education institutions.

In recent years financial institutions, marketing researchers and public policy makers have recognised that behavioural analysis is vital for understanding bank customers. Most studies so far have focused on understanding the behaviour of customers of commercial banks in developed economies. Very little research has been undertaken concerning bank customers′ attitudes and behavioural characteristics in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to understand customers′ attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about the services offered by conventional and Islamic banks in Jordan. The information presented here will provide Jordanian bank executives and public policy makers, and other developing country executives, with insights into the kind of services bank customers find most appropriate to their banking needs.

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In recent years, consumers worldwide have been having increased access to a wide variety of products and services from other countries. Furthermore, with advances in satellite communication, travel, television outreach and Internet access as well as increased education, consumers all over the world are becoming more aware of the products/services available throughout the world. As a result, the significance of products' county-of-origin images in influencing consumer behavior is increasing rapidly. An understanding of the role of COO images for imported products as against domestic ones would aid in the formulation of better marketing plans, strategies and policies by companies of both domestic and international origin. The purpose of this empirical research study is to examine Bangladeshi consumers' quality perceptions of products outsourced from nine foreign countries from where the country sources most of its product needs and compare them with their perceptions of domestic products. Study findings indicated that Bangladeshi consumers overwhelmingly preferred western made products, though there were differences in their perceptions across product classes as well as degree of suitability of sourcing countries.

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