Conceptualization of switching costs in fitness centers: a higher-order reflective-formative model

Kyungyeol (Anthony) Kim and Kevin K. Byon

Sport Management Review, 2021, vol. 24, issue 4, 543-566

Abstract: HIGHLIGHTSWe identify switching costs dimensions associated with fitness centres.We propose a higher-order reflective-formative fitness switching costs model.We provide conceptual definitions of switching costs.The concept of switching costs has been given increasing attention in the marketing and management literature. However, conceptual confusion in the literature has impeded applying the concept of switching costs to fitness centres. As such, the purpose of the study is to conceptualize switching costs in the context of fitness centres. Four sequential steps are employed to achieve the objective of the study. In Step 1, a qualitative method using open-ended questions (n = 98) identifies switching costs dimensions in fitness centres. The results show 11 multidimensional constructs, which are then conceptualized as a third-order fitness switching costs model (FSCM) in Step 2. In Step 3, the higher-order FSCM is specified as a third-order formative construct consisting of four second-order formative constructs with 11 first-order reflective constructs. Building on the three step s, Step 4 proposes a formal definition of switching costs as consumers’ perceptions of procedural, relationship, financial, and convenience costs when voluntarily considering switching to another fitness centre. Definitions for all lower-order dimensions are also proposed. The theoretically grounded conceptualization of switching costs in the present study enhances conceptual clarity and builds a foundation for further investigations in this area.

Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://hdl.handle.net/10.1080/14413523.2021.1879565 (text/html)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:taf:rsmrxx:v:24:y:2021:i:4:p:543-566

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.tandfonline.com/pricing/journal/rsmr20

DOI: 10.1080/14413523.2021.1879565

Access Statistics for this article

Sport Management Review is currently edited by Sheranne Fairley

More articles in Sport Management Review from Taylor & Francis Journals
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Chris Longhurst ().