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ABSTRACT
Starbucks has a lot of loyal consumers from all over the world. There are some reasons
that consumers tend to purchase at Starbucks. This study examines the influences of
brand reputation on customer satisfaction in Starbucks, Malaysia. The study adopted a
survey research design. The method of data collection in this study are internet sources
and questionnaires. A total of 100 respondents participated in this survey. The data were
analyzed with descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. From the findings of the
study, we find out that the aspects of brand reputation influence and correlate to
customer satisfaction in Starbucks, Malaysia. Besides, some recommendations for
Starbucks' improvement can be obtained through the findings.
INTRODUCTION
Starbucks Corporation is a global coffeehouse chain that comes from the United States
and its headquarters is located in Seattle, Washington. In 1971, Jerry Baldwin, Gordon
Bowker, and Zev Siegl had founded Starbucks in Seattle (Bondarenko, n.d.). They
opened the very first Starbuck store in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market (Marshall,
2015). Starbucks is a roaster and retailer which specializes in coffee. It has expanded to
the world rapidly and become the world's largest coffee company as it owns 32,660
stores all around the world (Eira, 2021). This company has attracted a lot of attention
from the world community, especially coffee drink lovers.
The first Starbucks that came into the market of Malaysia was in 1998. Berjaya Starbucks
Coffee Company Sdn Bhd is the operator of Starbucks Malaysia. The performance of
Starbucks Malaysia is quite good. It received Malaysia's best employer at Aon Hewitt
Best Employers in 2015 and HR Best Practices Gold Award in 2014 (Starbucks Malaysia,
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
2019). More than 300 Starbucks stores have been opened in Malaysia by today. Berjaya
Starbucks Coffee Company Sdn Bhd has a plan to open 18 Starbucks stores with the
drive-thru concept in the year 2021 (Salim, 2020). Recently, the biggest Starbucks
reserve opened in Tropicana Gardens Mall at Kota Damansara (Dzafri, 2021). It seems
to have a good operation in Malaysia and it is familiar to the Malaysian.
In addition to coffee, Starbucks also offered a lot of food and drinks. For example, coffee
beans, smoothies, frappuccino, salads, sandwiches, spaghetti, cake, and bread. It
launched a lot of merchandise that is seasonal or specific to some areas, which is really
attractive to consumers. Starbucks always serves high-quality coffee and service to the
customer. Its cup of coffee can bring inspiration and foster human spirit to one individual
and one neighborhood at a time (Gregory, 2019). Starbucks also has a high priority on
employees and customers ensuring them to gain meaningful impact from Starbucks.
Besides, it also intends to grow the business continually in one place or one
neighborhood. In addition to home and workplace, Starbucks is a suitable place where
customers can relax and experience the inviting environment with a cup of coffee
(Margalit, 2020). It is not only a place for having coffee but also a space for people to
gather.
Customers are vital to a business. A successful business has a lot of loyal customers to
support its sales. Starbucks understands this concept and does more innovation on its
products to enhance customer satisfaction. It uses casual chats with customers to
understand the customer experience at the store. This method enables it to get a lot of
feedback from customers (MartinRoll, 2021). Starbucks pays high attention and
consideration to the customer. In this way, it can innovate to fulfill its customer needs.
Starbucks understands that customer needs are crucial to building up a good brand
experience (Foster, n.d.).
Pandey et al. (2021) reported that customer satisfaction may be affected by the brand
image. Besides, brand experience is important to indicate customer satisfaction.
According to Gul (2014), brand reputation is highly important for customer satisfaction
as it indicates the image of the business in the customer's mind. Thus, customer
satisfaction may be influenced by brand reputation. On the other hand, customer
satisfaction also plays a significant role in a business. One of the reasons for customer
satisfaction is to create repurchase intention and customer loyalty (Copley, n.d.).
Bernazzani, S. (2021) indicated that customer feeling after interacting with a business
brand is reflected in customer satisfaction. The results can be collected by doing a market
survey. Therefore, the business can have acknowledged customer loyalty.
Newman (2016) states that a company would be able to build emotional relationships
forge bonds with the customers, which are extremely crucial to gain customer loyalty,
brand advocacy, and referrals by understanding customer behavior. Starbucks can
succeed for 50 years since the company can predict what, where, when, and how
customers buy. This research focuses on the brand reputation and customer satisfaction
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
Tu and Chang (2012) found that corporate brand image significantly affects customer
behavior, especially on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Chi (2009) found that
brand quality has a positive effect on brand loyalty, and perceived quality will mediate
the effects between brand awareness and purchase intention. Hanzaee & Taghipourian
(2012) also found that brand prestige has a significant effect on consumer purchase
intention, however, brand credibility has more influence on purchase intention process
once the merchandise is low involved. Based on the research above, research on the
topics is necessary to find out more clearly how far the influence of brand reputation on
customer satisfaction, especially on Starbucks Company. The objective of this research
is to examine the effects of brand reputation on customer satisfaction at Starbucks,
Malaysia.
A good brand reputation means that customers trust and feel good about the brand and
its products, and are proud of buying goods and services (Bhasin, 2021). One of the
common examples is Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson announced that he would close the
company’s 800 stores in the United States so that nearly 175000 employees can receive
training on the prevention of implicit bias. The brand name of Starbucks has the power
to affect buying decisions. Coffee is a daily habit for many people especially white-collar
workers. Many citizens are affected by the Starbucks logo. Starbucks is constantly
attracting potential customers by using its brand name.
In the beginning, Starbucks just focused on offering the functional benefits of coffee.
However, the rise of competitors has changed Starbucks ' policy. Starbucks currently is
selling a lifestyle that allows the customer to trade up and enjoy a better life. It offers a
comfortable and relaxing environment that attracts customers to purchase their product
and enjoy it in the shops. The customers always praise their customer service and
calming atmosphere. Starbucks has been established as a third place to take a seat and
chat whereas having a great coffee. It often stimulates a relaxed environment that
strengthens a pick me up yet in a calm environment plan. Starbucks has been successful
in focusing the customers’ attention on the quality of experience and the enjoyable
memories at Starbucks. Today, citizens prefer to spend their weekends outside chit-chat
with friends, and Starbucks is the best solution.
Companies can build a reputation for quality by gaining accreditation with a recognized
quality standard. Quality is critical to satisfying your customers and retaining their loyalty
so they continue to purchase in the future. Quality is a key differentiator in a crowded
market. It’s the reason that Apple can price its iPhone higher than any other mobile phone
in the industry – because the company has established a long history of delivering
superior products (Quain, 2019). Starbucks Arabica beans are unique as they are
different from regular Arabica beans. The high-quality beans can be found at higher
altitudes. It will choose the denser beans that have been created on cold nights and
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
warm days. The denser beans have deeper and more complex flavors. Besides, it will
taste a batch of coffee before it is approved.
In addition, Starbucks is concerned about its customer feedback towards its products
and service quality. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz stated that the founding
value of the company is based on inclusiveness and humanity. The employees will learn
from their mistakes and reiterate our commitment to creating a safe and welcoming
environment for each customer (Davis, 2018). Customer feedback is defined as the
verbal or written communication from customers expressing how they feel about the
brands, products, and/or the services they received. Customer feedback is an invaluable
asset for businesses of all sizes and types (McCabe, 2020). Starbuck always encourages
the customers to give feedback on their products' qualities and employees. The
employees are trained to accept and respond to feedback. The feedback not only allows
the company to help current customers but also benefits all future customers by fixing
the issues. Improving customer feedback can create customer satisfaction, and it leads
to an increment of brand loyalty.
Furthermore, Starbucks often locates its shop in the city area which is near its target
customers. The location strategy is focused on urban centers, which means areas with
large middle and upper-class populations. Most of the Starbucks stores are in densely
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
populated areas, shopping malls in the city area. It is to maximize the market share of
the expected customer populations in the city area. People do not need to search for
Starbuck shops, as the shops are just near their house.
Figure 1 shows that the conceptual framework consists of one independent variable
(brand reputation) that will influence the dependent variable (customer satisfaction). The
Independent variable will affect the dependent variable.
RESEARCH METHOD
Primary Research
Primary research is a type of research method used to collect data directly. It is of
importance as the data are first-hand information from the current situation and market.
The primary research of this study is a questionnaire created by Google form. The
sample size is randomly selected of 100 respondents. The respondents are required to
answer all of the questions in this questionnaire. It consisted of Part A (Demography),
Part B (The effect of Brand Reputation towards Customer Satisfaction), Part C
(Recommendation for improvement). A 5-point Likert Scale was used at part B to
measure how brand reputation influences customer satisfaction.
Secondary Research
Secondary research is a type of method where the researchers use or gather data from
existing sources, such as articles, textbooks, and journals. The secondary research
method we used in this survey is internet source and journal review. We visited the official
website of Starbucks, Malaysia. We also obtained a lot of information from journals
related to our topic as references to complete this report. The journals are able to give
us reliable information to master the knowledge of this study.
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
Table 1 shows that female respondents are more than male respondents. There are 61%
of female respondents, and 39% of male respondents. Most of the respondents come
from ages 18 to 24 years old (73%), between 25 to 39 years old (25%) and the remaining
2% are 40 to 60 years old. By nationality, Malaysian respondents are the most numerous,
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
representing 85 out of 100 respondents. The remaining respondents come from China
(10%), Japan (3%), and Indonesia (2%). By race, the data shows that the largest number
of respondents is Chinese (45%), Malay (37%), Indian (13%), and others (5%). By
occupation, 75% of respondents are students, and 25% of respondents are employed.
Thus, 73% of respondents have no income, 18% of respondents have a monthly salary
in the range of RM 2000 to RM2999 and 6% of respondents have a monthly salary in the
range of RM 3000 to RM 3999. The remaining 2% and 1 % of respondents are having a
monthly salary below RM 2000 and above RM 4000 respectively.
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
Table 2 indicates the majority of the respondents would like to purchase at Starbucks
(66%). The data also shows that 52% of respondents rarely purchased at Starbucks
although many of them are willing to purchase at it. There are only 2% of respondents
always purchase at Starbucks. However, 20% of respondents purchase at Starbucks,
once a week, once a month (23%), once every two months (1%) and never purchase at
Starbucks (2%). Generally, what influences the customers to purchase at Starbucks, is
coffee (85%), followed by food and beverage (66%), environment (53%), store
appearance (21%), facilities (18%), Starbucks merchandise (17%), customer service
(13%) and other (1%).
The majority of respondents agree that Starbucks is a luxury brand (94%). They may use
its premium price to define its luxury. Also, 58% of respondents agree and strongly agree
that Starbucks serves the best coffee, best place, best service to customers. This
indicates that more than half of respondents have a good image of Starbucks, thus, they
would likely purchase at it.
Table 2 shows that there only 26% of the respondents agreed and strongly agreed that
Starbucks is their first choice compared to other coffee chain stores. Besides, 46% of the
respondents agreed and strongly agreed to recommend others to go to Starbucks. This
implies that there are many possibilities for consumers to choose coffee and beverage
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
industries, and the competition among them is fierce. On the other hand, it shows that
Starbucks has failed to hold the majority in the competition. As a result, Starbucks should
always keep abreast of the market and continue to innovate, make changes and
adjustments according to consumers' opinions.
Variables 1 2
Customer Satisfaction 0.927
Brand reputation 0.439** 0.656
M 3.8000 3.5633
SD 0.56622 0.67452
Note: N=100; *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01; Diagonal entries in bold indicate Cronbach’s
coefficient alpha; M = Mean; SD = Standard Deviation.
This section discusses the correlation between the dependent variable (i.e., customer
satisfaction) and the independent variable (i.e., brand reputation). Correlation is a
measure of the linear relationship between two variables. The correlation coefficient also
indicates the relationship between two variables.
According to the aspect of the brand reputation, we made three survey questions:
“Starbucks is a prestigious store”, “Going to Starbucks indicates my high standard of
living” and “Starbucks advertisements are published everywhere”. To confirm our H1
"Brand reputation has a positive effect on consumers' satisfaction at Starbucks,
Malaysia", we sorted out and produced a regression analysis based on the respondents’
responses. As we can see in Table 4, brand reputation is the independent variable while
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
customer satisfaction is the dependent variable. The beta value of brand reputation
is .439***, and its p-value is very significant. It means that the probability that the
difference between samples is caused by sampling error is less than 0.001, which further
shows that it statistically significantly improves customer satisfaction. Thus, H1 is
supported.
Based on the results, we can conclude that brand reputation affects customer
satisfaction at Starbucks, which also supports our hypothesis (H1). A higher brand
reputation will result in higher customer satisfaction. This is because a higher brand
reputation will lead to better promotion (through advertising or social platforms), services,
product quality, and public praise (i.e., recommended by more people). We suggest that
brand reputation is directly proportional to consumer satisfaction: the relationship
between brand and consumer is a process from scratch. In the beginning, consumers
had no impression of a brand. Because of the influence of brand reputation, which may
be initially reflected in promotion or recommendation, consumers will gradually become
interested in it. Frequently, consumers may have bought behavior. After purchasing a
branded product, their behavior will be affected by the brand's reputation (good service,
good product quality), resulting in a satisfying purchasing experience. Thus, Starbucks,
Malaysia had built a good reputation to enhance customer satisfaction.
Based on the study, Starbucks, Malaysia can have some improvements to enhance its
reputation and maximize customer satisfaction. The majority of respondents deem the
price of Starbucks products too high. They hope Starbucks can lower the price. Due to
its premium price strategy, Starbucks is recommended to improve the overall quality to
make the product worth the price. More advertisements on social media or TV are to
promote the products and introduce new products. This allows the consumers not to miss
a seasonal promotion. Besides, the advertisements can inspire more consumers to visit.
The facilities should also have some improvement. Since some customers like to study
or work at the cafe, Starbucks should make sure the internet connectivity, more seats
and tables, and some private space for consumers. Other than that, the toilets in some
branches of Starbucks, Malaysia are unisex, leading to inconvenience. It is better to
separate the male and female toilets. The respondents also recommended that every
Starbucks should have drive-thru accessibility that makes them easier to purchase.
Many respondents also suggested Starbucks do some improvements on the menu, such
as adding more choices of dessert and new drinks. Besides, the menu can be more
detailed with bilinguals. It will be easier and convenient for customers to order. Some
research or feedback about the taste of food is beneficial. Also, the time to prepare the
food should be faster to avoid customers waiting too long. All of these recommendations
are advantageous to strengthen Starbucks' reputation and maximize customer
satisfaction.
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
CONCLUSIONS
The analysis and data results lead to a conclusion that Starbucks will continue to
dominate the coffee shop market due to its good brand reputation among Malaysian
citizens. Most of our respondents do not even have income, however, they are willing to
purchase Starbucks products. The Malaysian customers not just pay for coffee but also
the working environment. Besides, we understand that coffee continues to be the first
option for customers followed by foods and beverages. Customer service and coffee
shop environment have helped Starbucks to create a competitive advantage against the
competitors. Almost all of the customers are satisfied with Starbucks employees’
services and it helps to create a good brand reputation.
High product quality, caring customer services, and a warm coffee shop environment
have maintained Starbucks' good brand reputation. A good brand reputation has led to
high customer satisfaction. This circumstance has formed a bond between Starbucks
and the customers. Although Starbucks is a luxury brand, it has many loyal customers
compared to its competitors because all customers are satisfied with their products and
services. In short, we can conclude that a higher brand reputation will result in higher
customer satisfaction. The brand reputation of Starbucks is directly proportional to
customer satisfaction.
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International Journal of Tourism & Hospitality in Asia Pasific (IJTHAP)
Vol. 4 No. 3, 60-72, October, 2021
E-ISSN: 2654-7945/P-ISSN: 2685-8800
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/ijthap.v4i3.1199
https://ejournal.aibpm.org/index.php/IJTHAP
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