Constraints and Dedication as Drivers for Relationship Commitment: An Empirical Study in a Health-Care Context

The objective of this study is to empirically determine the role of constraints and dedication as drivers of relationship commitment as most of the existing work is of a conceptual nature only. We assess how and to which extent these two drivers fit into the established relationships between overall service quality, satisfaction, trust and commitment. Using LISREL, we estimate the conceptual model based on a sample of customers of health-care centers. The results indicate that both constraints and dedication are important drivers of relationship commitment. The study has important implications for relationship marketing theory and for service providers aiming at relationship commitment.