EFFECTIVENESS OF INNOVATIVE CUSTOMERS SERVICE AS AID TO INCREASING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

Before now, the self-service and automated customer service has allowed companies to reduce costs while handling the ever-increasing transactions effectively. However, the advent of innovation and the changing profile of customers who are becoming increasingly mobile and no longer reliant on a single communication device. This means that, reactive customer service model is beginning to look out dated and less effective to modern customers’ needs. Telecommunication companies are realizing that customer interaction service must be replaced by a more proactive approach that recognizes the growing user-centricity of customer communications network.

With the paradigm shift, telecommunication companies that can move quickly to respond to this change can gain market share, as well as reduce customer churn, by enhancing the experience of customers who now expect prompt and accurate services anytime and anywhere. Research has identified a core set of attributes and actions of successful customer service organizations within the market economy. Regardless of whether these organizations provide goods or services, they recognize that satisfied customers are the key to their success. Customer satisfaction drives successful businesses. Telecommunication companies should develop principles and strategies for achieving customer satisfaction. 
 
1.2   Statement of the Problem
The apparent customer dissatisfaction, especially in the telecommunication industries in Nigeria cannot be over emphasized. Lack of creativity and innovative approach to satisfying customers’ expectation to suit their ever changing needs is a challenge faced by most telecommunication industries in Nigeria.


1.3   Objectives of the Study
The study strives to achieve the following objectives;
1.     To define innovative customer service and how it can effectively satisfy customers in telecommunication industry.
2.     To dramatically improve customer satisfaction in telecommunication industries.
3.     To identify the loop holes associated with customer service as an aid to effective customer satisfaction.


1.4   Research Questions
In lieu of the above stated problems, this study will help to answer the following research questions;
1.     What is innovative customer service and how can it effectively satisfy customers in telecommunication industry?
2.     How can customer satisfaction be improved in telecommunication industry.
3.     What are the loop holes associated with customer service as an aid to effective customer satisfaction.


1.5   Research Hypotheses
Ho:  Innovative customer service is not an effective tool to customer satisfaction in the telecommunication industry.
Hi:   Innovative customer service is an effective tool to customer satisfaction in the telecommunication industry.
1.6   Significance of the Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on the effectiveness of innovative customer service as aid to increasing customers satisfaction in telecommunications in industry.
1.7   Scope/Limitations of the Study
This study is on effectiveness of innovative customers’ service as aid to increasing customer satisfaction in telecommunications industry.
Limitations of study
1.     Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2.     Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.8   Definition of Terms
Innovation:This is the process of translating an idea or an innovation into a good or service with the aim of creating value in exchange for money.
Customer Service:This is the advice or assistance provided by a company to those people who buy their products or services.
Customer Satisfaction:This is a term that measures how a company’s goods or services meet their customers’ expectation.
Telecommunications Industry:This is a company that provides telecommunications services such as telephony and data communications access.      

REFERENCES  
Benjamin Schneider and David Bowen, Winning the Service Game (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1995), 3.
David Osborne and Peter Plastrik, The Reinventor’s Field book: Tools for Transforming Your Government (Indianapolis: John Wiley & Sons, 2001), 332
Mack Hanan and Peter Karp, Customer Satisfaction: How to Maximize, Measure, and Market Your Company’s “Ultimate Product” (New York: American Management Association, 1989), xii.
Ron Zemke and Dick Schaaf, The Service Edge: 101 Companies that Profit from Customer Care (New York: New American Library, 1989), 31
Rodrigo A. Padilla, “Literature Review on Consumer Satisfaction in Modern Marketing.” Seminar in Consumer Research, Faculty of Commerce and Administration, Concordia University, December 5, 1996.
Nick Wreden, “What’s Better Than Customer Satisfaction?” Viewpoint (May 24, 2004).