IIARD International Journal of Economics and Business Management (IJEBM )
E-ISSN 2489-0065
P-ISSN 2695-186X
VOL. 10 NO. 11 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijebm.v10.no11.2024.pg190.207
OGUH Festus A. (Ph.D) & UDUEHI Benson O.
This study investigates the relationship between service differentiation strategies and customer base of Keystone Bank PLC in Nigeria. Service differentiation, encompassing market differentiation and process differentiation, is crucial for banks to stand out in a competitive market. The research aims to determine the extent to which these strategies contribute to customer acquisition and retention. Through a descriptive survey design, data was collected from employees at Keystone Bank PLC. Correlation analysis using Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to measure the strength and the direction of the relationship between the variables under investigation The findings indicate a positive correlation between service differentiation strategies and customer base expansion. The bank's focus on market segmentation, innovative product offerings, and effective customer service has positively influenced its customer base. The study concludes that by continuing to prioritize service differentiation, Keystone Bank PLC can further solidify its position in the Nigerian banking market and achieve sustainable growth.
Ademola, O., & Ajibola, O. (2018). Customer Retention and Acquisition Strategies in the
Nigerian Banking Sector. International Journal of Economics, Commerce, and
Management, 6(5), 150-164.
Adeyemi, S. (2016). Banking Reforms and Its Impact on Nigerian Banks. Journal of Business
Administration and Education, 8(3), 111-128.
Agwu, M. O. (2014). The Impact of Mobile Banking on Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. European
Journal of Business and Management, 6(4), 85-94.
Akinbola, O. (2014). The Impact of Technological Innovation on the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Journal of Business and Management, 16(2), 1-9.
Akinbola, O. (2014). The Impact of Technological Innovation on the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Journal of Business and Management, 16(2), 1-9.
Akinbola, O. (2014). The Impact of Technological Innovation on the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Journal of Business and Management, 16(2), 1-9.
Alexander, N., & Colgate, M. (1998). Building relationships in retailing through financial services:
Insights and implications. Customer Relationship Management, 1 (1), 64-78. 52
Babalola, M. T. (2014). The Role of Technology in Customer Acquisition and Retention in
Nigerian Banks. Journal of Financial Management, 12(4), 88-99.
Barney, J. (2001). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management,
17 (1), 99-120
Bernthal, M. J., Crockett, D., & Rose, R. L. (2005). Credit Cards as Lifestyle Facilitators. Journal
of Consumer Research, 32(1), 130
Bright, J. (2002). The missing revenue link, Communications International, 46-7.
Bryman, A. & Bell, E. (2003). Business Research Methods Oxford University Press
Choi, C.S & Coughlan, A.T. (2006). Private label positioning: quality versus feature differentiation
from the national brand. Journal of Retailing, 82(2), 79-93.
Drucker, P. (2001). Management strategic. Editura Teora, Bucure?ti.
Drucker, P. F. (2008). Management Consultant. Zimmer, M. & Smiddy, H. The Evolving Science
of Management. New York: AMACOM.
Ellickson, P.B. (2004). Supermarkets as natural oligopolies, working paper, Durham: Duke
University.
Fine, C. (2000). Clockspeed-based strategies for supply chain design. Production and Operations
Management, 9(3), 213-21.
Foster, R. & Kaplan, S. (2001) .Creative Destruction: Why Companies that are Built to Last
Under-Perform the Market and How to Transform Them, New York. Doubleday
Hamel, G. (2001). Competition for competence and inter-partner learning within international
strategic alliances. Strategic Management Journal, 43(1), 46-57
Hamel, G.& Prahalad, C. (2003). Strategy as stretch and leverage, Harvard Business Review,
71(2), 75-84.
Hannagan, T., & Bennett, R. (2008). Management: concepts & practices. Pearson Education.
Hayes, R., Pisano, G., Upton, D & Wheelwright, S. (2005). Operations, Strategy, and Technology
– Pursuing the Competitive Edge, New York: Wiley.
Henderson, S. (2011). The development of competitive advantage through sustainable event
management. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes 3(3), 245-257.
Hlavacka, S., Ljuba, B., Viera, R & Robert, W. (2001). Performance implications of Porter's
generic strategies in Slovak hospitals, Journal of Management in Medicine, 15 (1), 44-66.
Ho, G.T.S. (2005). An intelligent forward quality enhancement system to achieve product
customization, Industrial Management & Data Systems, 105 (3),384-406.
Johnson, G., Scholes, K., & Whittington, R. (2008). Exploring corporate strategy: text & cases.
Pearson Education.
Kemppainen, K and Vepsäläinen, A. (2003). Web breeds services apart – but how to get them
right?, in Reponen, T. (Eds), IT Enabled Global Customer Service, Idea Group Publishing,
Hershey, PA, 104-23.
Lee, J., & Kwon, K.N. (2002). Consumers' use of credit cards: Store credit card usage as an
alternative payment and financing medium. The Journal of Consumer Affairs, 36(2), 239.
Lovelock, C., & Wirtz, J. (2011). Services Marketing: People, Technology, Strategy (7th ed.).
Pearson Education.
Lovelock, C., & Wirtz, J. (2011). Services Marketing: People, Technology, Strategy (7th ed.).
Pearson Education.
Mathisen, J., & Buchs, T. D. (2005). Competition and efficiency in banking: behavioral evidence
from Ghana. International Monetary Fund.
Ojo, O. (2010). Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Journal of Social and Administrative Sciences, 4(2), 1-15.
Olokundun, M. A., Ibidunni, A. S., & Oladokun, S. I. (2018). The Role of Innovation and
Technology in the Growth of Banking in Nigeria. Journal of Business Research, 12(2),
45-58.
Oluwaseun, I., & Akinmoladun, F. (2017). Mobile Banking and Customer Satisfaction in
Nigeria: A Study of Commercial Banks in Lagos. African Journal of Marketing
Management, 9(6), 105-115.
Pearce J.A., & Robinson R.B. (2003). Strategic Management (8th edition), Strategy Formulation,
Implementation and Control, Illinois: Homewood.
Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and
Competitors. Free Press.
Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors.
Free Press.
Porter, M. E. (1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors.
Free Press.
Porter, M.E. (1985). Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance, New
York; Free Press
Poter, M. E. (2004). Competitive strategy: techniques for analyzing industries and competitors.
Free press.
Shushil, V. (1990) .Strategic Responses of Multinational to Competition for Developing College
Firms, International Marketing Review, 3(2), 23.
Sidorowicz, R. (2007). Competitive strategy. Toronto, Refresher Publications Inc. Retrieved
February, 11, 2008
Smith, W.R. (1996). Product Differentiation and Market Segmentation as Alternative Marketing
Strategies, Journal of Marketing, 2(1), 3-8.
Stacey, R. (2003). Strategic Management and Organizational Dynamics: The Challenge of
Complexity, Prentice-Hall, Harlow
Worthington, S & Horne, S (2003). Charity affinity credit cards-marketing synergy for both card
issuers and charities? Journal of Marketing Management, 9 (3), 301-313
Zeithaml, V. A., Bitner, M. J., & Gremler, D. D. (2006). Services Marketing: Integrating
Customer Focus Across the Firm (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.