Whose fault is it? An exploratory study of the causes of waiting times for services

Identifier:  imarina:4123819

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina4123819

Authors:  del Mar Pàmies M; Ryan G; Valverde M

Abstract:
© 2018, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. All rights reserved. The purpose of this study is to provide an innovative view to the persistent problem of waiting times, analyzing consumers’ perceptions, in order to identify its possible causes. Waiting time is a common phenomenon linked to the delivery of goods and services that may have negative consequences for both companies and consumers. Generally, it has been thought that companies are to blame for waiting times. To study this issue we have used a qualitative methodology collecting data by means of 19 in-depth interviews and 7 personal logs. The results of this research show that companies are not the only ones to blame for waiting times. In many cases, consumers themselves are the cause of the problem, because, as an example, they are not prepared to receive the service or they all arrive at the same time. Additionally, it has been found that when the waiting time is caused by the company this may be due, on the one hand, to a poor management (because there is a lack of staff or because reducing waiting times is not a priority for the company), or due to the workers of the company (they are not well prepared for the job or they are absent), on the other. These results have a series of practical implications for companies, since they represent an extra challenge for waiting time management. Therefore, companies not only have to strive to manage and reduce waiting times, but also worry these are not caused by issues beyond their control, such as behaviors or attitudes of their workers or their customers.