The Three Dimensions of Quality Service: The Case of Service Quality Gaps in the UK National Health Service?

abstract

• United Kingdom hospitals have traditionally defined quality as the level of service provided whereas patients define quality as service that meets their expectations. These two definitions highlight a focus difference and result in "service quality gaps." This article develops a model of service quality gaps built on three dimensions: the focus of service organisation management, the perceiver of the service, and strategy implemented. The model is empirically tested using a 2001 survey of the chief executive of each of hospitals in England and Wales. We find where gaps exist, there is interconnectedness between them, and strategic focus change provides improved quality.

authors

• Mileski, Joan

published proceedings

• INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

author list (cited authors)

• Nwabueze, U., & Mileski, J. P.

citation count

• 6

complete list of authors

• Nwabueze, Uche||Mileski, Joan P

publication date

• January 2008

publisher

• Taylor & Francis  Publisher

published in

• International Journal of Public Administration  Journal

keywords

• Health Care Quality Perceptions
• Hospital Quality Strategy
• Service Quality
• Uk Hospitals

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1080/01900690801973519

start page

• 1328

end page

• 1353

volume

• 31

issue

• 10-11

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01900690801973519