Influential Factors on the Quality of E-banking Services and Loyalty Among University Students in Baoshan, China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/shserj.2025.25Keywords:
Customer Service and Support, Trust, Service Quality, Satisfaction, LoyaltyAbstract
Purpose: This research examines the factors impacting e-banking service quality and loyalty for university students in Baoshan, China. The conceptual framework contains reliability, privacy and security, website design, customer service and support, service quality, trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. Research design, data, and methodology: Sample data was collected using the quantitative method and a questionnaire as a tool. Item-objective congruence and pilot tests were adopted to test the content validity and reliability of the questionnaire before distribution. Data was analyzed by utilizing Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling to validate the model’s goodness of fit and confirm the causal relationship among variables for hypothesis testing. Results: The study has found that the conceptual model was able to predict which factors impact e-banking service quality and loyalty for university students in Baoshan, China. Reliability, privacy and security, website design, customer service and support are four key antecedents of e-banking satisfaction. Conclusions: The E-banking service quality and trust were the strongest predictors of the students’ E-banking satisfaction, both directly and indirectly. Therefore, the findings of this study can guide Chinese local governments or financial departments as they design regulations for e-bank development and supervision.
References
Abbott, M., Chiang, K. P., Hwang, Y. S., & DetlevZwick, J. P. (2000). The process of on-line store loyalty formation. In Hoch S. J. & Meyer R.J. (Eds.), Advances in consumer research. Association for Consumer Research (U.S.), 27(1), 145-150.
Adil, Z. (2020). Discovering the linear relationship of service quality, satisfaction, attitude, and loyalty for banks in Albaha, Saudi Arabia. Linear relationship of service quality, PSU Research Review, 6(2), 90-104. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRR-07-2020-0023
Ahmad Al-Hawari, M. (2014). Does customer sociability matter? Differences in e-quality, e-satisfaction, and e-loyalty between introvert and extravert online banking users. Journal of Services Marketing, 28(7), 538-546. https://doi.org/10.1108/jsm-02-2013-0036
Ahmad Al-Hawari, M. (2015). How the personality of retail bank customers interferes with the relationship between service quality and loyalty. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 33(1), 41-57. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbm-09-2013-0096
Ahmad Al-Hawari, M., Ward, T., & Newby, L. (2009). The relationship between service quality and retention within the automated and traditional contexts of retail banking. Journal of Services Management, 20(4), 455-472. https://doi.org/10.1108/09564230910978539
Al-Mamary, Y. H., & Shamsuddin, A. (2015). Testing of the Technology Acceptance Model in Context of Yemen, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4), 268-273.
https://doi.org/10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p268
Amin, M. (2016). Internet banking service quality and its implication on e-customer satisfaction and e-customer loyalty. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 34(3), 280-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbm-10-2014-0139
Amit, S., & Charles, J. (2018). The influence of e-banking service quality on customer loyalty A moderated mediation approach. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 37(5), 1119-1142.
Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. (1988). Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3), 411–423.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.3.411
Angelakopoulos, G., & Mihiotis, A. (2011). E-banking: challenges and opportunities in the Greek banking sector. Electronic Commerce Research, 11(3), 297-319.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-011-9076-2
Awang, Z. (2012). Structural equation modeling using AMOS graphic (1st ed.). Penerbit Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Bahia, K., & Nantel, J. (2000). A reliable and valid measurement scale for the perceived service quality of banks. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 18(2), 84-91.
https://doi.org/10.1108/02652320010322994
Bauer, H. H., Hammerschmidt, M., & Falk, T. (2005). Measuring the quality of e-banking portals. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 23(2), 153-175. https://doi.org/10.1108/02652320510584395
Baumann, C., Elliott, G., & Hamin, H. (2011). Modelling customer loyalty in financial services: a hybrid of formative and reflective constructs. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 29(3), 247-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/02652321111117511
Bentler, P. M. (1990). Comparative fit indexes in structural models (1st ed.). Psychological
Bilgihan, A., & Bujisic, M. (2015). The effect of website features in online relationship marketing: a case of online hotel booking. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 14(4), 222-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2014.09.001
Blut, M., Frennea, C. M., Mittal, V., & Mothersbaugh, D. L. (2015). How procedural, financial, and relational switching costs affect customer satisfaction, repurchase intentions, and repurchase behavior: a meta-analysis. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 32(2), 226-229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2015.01.001
Brun, I., Rajaobelina, L., & Ricard, L. (2014). Online relationship quality: scale development and initial testing. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 32(1), 5-27.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbm-02-2013-0022
Byrne, B. M. (2010). Structural Equation Modeling with Amos: Basic Concepts, Applications, and Programming (2nd ed.). Taylor and Francis Group.
Chaudhry, I. G., Abbas, Q., Awan, T. M., & Ghafoor, A. (2009). Trust, satisfaction, and E-Loyalty in Pakistan’s electronic commerce [Paper presented]. the e-CASE 2019 – International Conference on e-Commerce, e-Administration, e-Society, and e-Education, Singapore.
Chen, S. C. (2012). The customer satisfaction–loyalty relation in an interactive e-service setting: the mediators. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 19(2), 202-210.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2012.01.00
China E-banking Development Report. (2020, August 11). Payment System Report. www.china.gov.my/payment/statistics/pdf/ 20-internet-banking.pdf.
Chu, P., Lee, G., & Chao, C. H. (2012). Service quality, customer satisfaction, customer trust, and loyalty in an e-banking context. Social Behavior and Personality, 40(8), 1271-1284.
https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2012.40.8.1271
Chung, W., & Paynter, J. (2002). An evaluation of Internet Banking in New Zealand. Proceedings of the 35th Hawarii International Conference in System Sciences IEEE Hawarii, 1-9.
Corritore, C. L., Marble, R. P., Weidenbeck, S., Kracher, B., & Chandran, A. (2005). Measuring online trust of websites: credibility, perceived ease of use, and risk. Proceedings of the Eleventh Americas Conference on Information Systems, 11(14), 2419-2427.
Corstjens, M., & Lal, R. (2000). Building store loyalty through store brands. Journal of Marketing Research, 37(3), 281-291. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.37.3.281.18781
Cox, J., & Dale, B. G. (2001). Dale service quality and e-commerce: an exploratory analysis. Managing Service Quality, 11(2), 121-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/09604520110387257
Edvardsson, B., Johnson, M. D., Gustafsson, A., & Strandvik, T. (2000). The effects of satisfaction and loyalty on profits and growth: products versus services. Total Quality Management, 11(7), 917-927. https://doi.org/10.1080/09544120050135461
Ennew, C., & Sekhon, H. (2007). Measuring trust in financial services: the trust index. Consumer Policy Review, 17(2), 62-68.
Eshghi, A., Haughton, D., & Topi, H. (2007). Determinants of customer loyalty in the wireless telecommunications industry. Telecommunications Policy, 31(2), 93-106.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2006.12.005
Fang, Y., Chiu, C., & Wang, E. T. G. (2011). Understanding customers’ satisfaction and repurchase intentions. Internet Research, 21(4), 479-503.
https://doi.org/10.1108/10662241111158335
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of marketing research, 18(1), 39-50.
https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Galanxhi-Janaqi, H., & Fui-Hoon Nah, F. (2004). U-commerce: emerging trends and research issues. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 104(9), 744-755.
Garepasha, A., & Aali, S. (2020). Dynamics of Online Relationship Marketing: Relationship Quality and Customer Loyalty in Iranian banks. Review of Business Management, 22(1), 140-162. https://doi.org/10.7819/rbgn.v22i1.4043
George, D., & Mallery, P. (2003). SPSS for Windows Step by Step: A Simple Guide and Reference. 11.0 Update (4th ed.). Allyn & Bacon.
Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (1998). Multivariate Data Analysis (1st ed.). Prentice-Hall.
Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Haq, I., & Awan, T. (2020). Impact of e-banking service quality on e-loyalty in pandemic times through interplay of e-satisfaction. Vilakshan - XIMB Journal of Management, 17(1/2), 39-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/xjm-07-2020-0039
Hoyle, R. H. (2011). Structural equation modeling for social and personality psychology (1st ed.). Sage.
Hussien, I. M., & Abd El Aziz, R. (2013). Investigating e-banking service quality in one of Egypt’s banks: a stakeholder analysis. The TQM Journal, 25(5), 557-576.
https://doi.org/10.1108/tqm-11-2012-0086
Inzamam, U. Q., & Adil Tahir, P. (2020). A multiple parallel mediation between transformational leadership and project-based performance — A process model," International Journal of Financial Engineering (IJFE). World Scientific Publishing, 7(03), 1-23.
Jabnoun, N., & Khalifa, A. (2005). A customized measure of service quality in the UAE. Managing Service Quality, 15(4), 374-388. https://doi.org/10.1108/09604520510606844
Jayawardhena, C. (2004). Measurement of service quality in internet banking: the development of an instrument. Journal of Marketing Management, 20(1-2), 185-207.
https://doi.org/10.1362/026725704773041177
Kassim, N., & Abdulla, A. (2006). The influence of attraction on internet banking: an extension to the trust-relationship commitment model. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 24(6), 424-42
Keating, B., Rugimbana, R., & Quazi, A. (2003). Differentiating between service quality and relationship quality in cyberspace. Managing Service Quality, 13(3), 217-232.
https://doi.org/10.1108/09604520310476481
Killingsworth, B., Xue, Y., & Liu, Y. (2016). Factors influencing knowledge sharing among global virtual teams. Team Performance Management, 22(5/6), 284-300.
https://doi.org/10.1108/TPM-10-2015-0042
Kuo, H. M., & Chen, C. W. (2011). Application of quality function deployment to improve the quality of Internet shopping website interface design. International Journal of Innovative Computing. Information and Control, 7(1), 253-268.
Lee, H., & Suami, R. (2009). A proposed scale for measuring E-service quality. International Journal of u- and e-Service, Science and Technology, 2(1), 2-9.
Lichtenstein, S., & Williamson, K. (2006). Understanding consumer adoption of internet banking: an interpretive study in the Australian banking context. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, 7(2), 50-66.
Luo, J., Ba, S., & Zhang, H. (2012). The effectiveness of online shopping characteristics and well-designed websites on satisfaction. MIS Quarterly, 36(4), 1131-1144. https://ssrn. com/abstract=2606012.
Luo, S., & Lee, T. (2011). The Influence of trust and usefulness on customer perceptions of e-service quality. Social Behavior and Personality, 39(6), 825-838. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2011.39.6.825
Lustsik, O. (2003). E-banking in Estonia: reasons and benefits of the rapid growth. Working paper series, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, 27, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.460260
Ma, Z., & Zhao, J. (2012). Evidence on e-banking customer satisfaction in the China commercial bank sector. Journal of Software, 7(4), 927-933. https://doi.org/10.4304/jsw.7.4.927-933
Madu, C. N., & MAdu, A. A. (2002). Dimensions of e-quality. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, 19(3), 246-258. https://doi.org/10.1108/02656710210415668
Muturi, D., Sagwe, J., Hussien, M. I., & Abd El Aziz, R. (2013). Investigating e-banking service quality in one of Egypt’s banks: a stakeholder analysis. The TQM Journal, 25(5), 1-10.
Osman, Z. (2014). Conceptual framework development for customer loyalty in Malaysian commercial banking industry. International Journal of Management, IT and Engineering, 4(2), 197-214.
Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A., & Malhotra, A. M. (2005). E-S-QUAL: a multiple-item scale for assessing electronic service quality. Journal of Service Research, 7(3), 213-233.
Pedroso, R., Zanetello, L., Guimaraes, L., Pettenon, M., Goncalves, V., Scherer, J., Kessler, F., & Pechansky, F. (2016). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the crack use relapse scale (CURS). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 43(3), 37-40. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000081
Ridings, C. M., Gefen, D., & Arinze, B. (2002). Some antecedents and effects of trust in virtual communities. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 11(3-4), 271-295.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0963-8687(02)00021-5
Rust, R. T., & Kannan, P. K. (2003). E-service: a new paradigm for business in the electronic environment. Communications of the ACM, 46(6), 37-42.
Severt, E. (2002). The customer’s path to loyalty: a partial test of the relationships of prior experience, justice, and customer satisfaction [Doctoral Thesis]. Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (EEUU), Blacksburg, VA.
Shaikh, A. A., & Karjaluoto, H. (2015). Mobile banking adoption: a literature review. Telematics and Informatics, 32(1), 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2014.05.003
Shankar, A., & Jebarajakirthy, C. (2019). The influence of e-banking service quality on customer loyalty. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 37(5), 1119-1142.
https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbm-03-2018-0063
Sharma, G. P., Verma, R. C., & Pathare, P. (2005). Mathematical modeling of infrared radiation thin layer drying of onion slices. Journal of Food Engineering, 71(3), 282-286.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.02.010
Sica, C., & Ghisi, M. (2007). The Italian versions of the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory-II: Psychometric properties and discriminant power. In M. A. Lange (Ed.), Leading-edge psychological tests and testing research (pp. 27-50). Nova Science Publishers.
Sirdeshmukh, D., Singh, J., & Sabol, B. (2002). Consumer trust, value, and loyalty in relational exchanges. Journal of Marketing, 66(1), 15-37. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.66.1.15.18449
Soper, D. (2006). Calculator: A-priori Sample Size for Structural Equation Models.
https://www.danielsoper.com/statcalc/calculator.aspx?id=89
Szymanski, D. M., & Hise, R. T. (2000). E-satisfaction: an initial examination. Journal of Retailing, 76(3), 309-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-4359(00)00035-x
Thaichon, P., Lobo, A., Prentice, C., & Quach, T. N. (2014). The development of service quality dimensions for internet service providers: retaining customers of different usage patterns. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 21(6), 1047-1058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2014.06.006
Toufaily, E., & Pons, F. (2017). Impact of customers’ assessment of website attributes on e-relationship in the securities brokerage industry: a multichannel perspective. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 34, 58-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.09.011
Udo, G. (2001). Privacy and security concerns as major barriers for e-commerce: a survey study. Information Management & Computer Security, 9(4), 165-174.
https://doi.org/10.1108/eum0000000005808
Venkatesh, V., & Davis, F. D. (2000). A theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2), 186-204.
https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
Wolfinbarger, M., & Gilly, M. C. (2003). eTailQ: dimensionalizing, measuring and predicting etail quality. Journal of Retailing, 79(3), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-4359(03)00034-4
Wu, J. H., & Wang, Y. M. (2006). Measuring KMS success: A specification of the DeLone and McLean’s model. Information and Management, 43(6), 728-739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2006.05.002
Yang, Z., & Jun, M. (2002). Consumer perception of e-service quality: from internet purchaser and non-purchaser perspectives. Journal of Business Strategies, 19(1), 19-41.
https://doi.org/10.54155/jbs.25.2.59-84
Yu, P. L., Balaji, M., & Khong, K. W. (2015). Building trust in internet banking: a trustworthiness perspective. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 115(2), 235-252.
https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-09-2014-0262
Zhou, T. (2011). An empirical examination of initial trust in mobile banking. Internet Research, 21(5), 527-540. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662241111176353
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Yueqiang Zhang

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The submitting author warrants that the submission is original and that she/he is the author of the submission together with the named co-authors; to the extend the submission incorporates text passages, figures, data, or other material from the work of others, the submitting author has obtained any necessary permission.
Articles in this journal are published under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY What does this mean?). This is to get more legal certainty about what readers can do with published articles, and thus a wider dissemination and archiving, which in turn makes publishing with this journal more valuable for you, the authors.