META-RELQUAL construct validation: a South African study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test a measurement model of a META-RELQUAL construct based upon South African business-supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using computer-assisted telephone interviews. The sampling frame consisted of the top 500 South African companies based on revenue. A total of 232 fully completed questionnaires were obtained representing a response rate of 46.4 per cent.

Findings

The findings show satisfactory goodness-of-fit measures for the model tested. All the requirements for convergent, discriminant and nomological validity as well as construct reliability were achieved satisfactorily.

Practical implications

The study provides a framework of constructs that South African business managers need to take into consideration in order to establish and maintain good relations with their suppliers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to theory on relationship marketing and presents the first tested measurement model of the META-RELQUAL construct in Africa.

Citation

Mpinganjira, M., Svensson, G. and Mysen, T. (2015), "META-RELQUAL construct validation: a South African study", African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 453-465. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-01-2013-0011