The aim of this study is to develop a model that integrates brand identity, brand-life congruence, customer hotel brand identification (CHBI), and brand love into one model and to test its predictive power in explaining brand loyalty. The survey data were gathered from (432) guests who were staying in seven well-known hotels located in Jordan. Data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling SmartPLS2.0. Four key findings emerged from the current research. First, compared to brand identity, brand-lifestyle congruency appears to have a stronger and more significant relationship with CHBI. Second, CHBI contributes only to the development of brand love. Third, CHBI appears to influence brand loyalty only indirectly via brand love. Fourth, the current research provides an empirical support on the applicability of Sternberg's love theory in the hotel industry. This research adds to the body of knowledge on hotel brand loyalty through examining its relationship with four key constructs, whose effect either had been examined in isolation or had never been examined. It tests for the first time how brand identity and brand-lifestyle congruence contribute to the development of CHBI, which in turn, engenders a powerful emotional experience with hotel brands and cultivates affection and passion to that brand. Those heavy emotional feelings in turn provide an important basis upon which hotel brand loyalty is established.

The aim of this paper is to develop valid measurements to investigate the concept of 'Internal Marketing' (IM) in higher education institutions (HE). The study confirms that IM in HE can be measured using SIX multi-item components of: Employee Development, Internal Market Research, Internal Communications, Performance Incentives, Management Support and Vision about Excellent Service. The effect of IM on job satisfaction, organizational commitment and student satisfaction was also tested using Smart PLS. However, the findings indicate that although IM has a significant effect on job satisfaction and organizational commitment, its effect is not substantial, which means that there are other drivers of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Therefore, future research is encouraged to identify those drivers. Moreover, the effect of job satisfaction and organizational commitment on student satisfaction is not substantial, which means that although these two variables are necessary, they are not sufficient conditions to ensure student satisfaction.

PurposeLimited knowledge exists on the difference in the antecedents and outcomes of relationship quality's cognitive and emotional aspects for e-retailers. This research tests how utilitarian and hedonic shopping values differentially affect “cognitive and emotional” relationship quality components and how the latter differentially affects word-of-mouth and brand evangelism.Design/methodology/approachOnline survey data were collected from 450 Jordanian online shoppers. Structural equation modeling (AMOS 24.0) was employed to analyze the data.FindingsFirst, e-retailer's informativeness and transaction convenience (i.e. utilitarian values), drive more strongly cognitive than emotional relationship quality, whereas e-retailer's escapism and social presence (i.e. hedonic values) drive more strongly emotional than cognitive relationship quality. Second, emotional relationship quality has a strong significant effect on brand evangelism, whereas cognitive relationship quality's effect is insignificant. Third, there are no statistically significant differences concerning the effect of cognitive and emotional relationship quality on word-of-mouth.Originality/valueThe findings of our research are expected to enhance our understanding of e-retailer relationship quality, its emergence and consequences. They would also provide e-retailers with guidance on how to execute growth strategies by focusing on specific types of brand relationship quality, on the other hand.

This study aims at identifying the impact of market orientation on customer satisfaction in private schools in Jordan. The population of the study consists of managers of different levels in private schools in Amman. Out of the questionnaires distributed, 158 usable questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 79%. Market orientation was measured based on Markotz model. The findings supported the significant influence of market orientation on customer satisfaction. Hence, practical implications for schools' managers were provided in terms of assessing and monitoring market orientation periodically, to be able to identify where improvements are needed, and to identify which dimensions of market orientation should be considered, especially on competitor orientation.

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