“Can You Give Me A Five Star Please?” - How Human Interactions Influence Online Service Ratings

Abstract

When talking about giving “five stars” in the quality of human interaction between service provider and receiver should not be omit. In the field of marketing studies, this is relatively less talked about. This study examines the relationship between the existence of human interaction in the service experience and the consumer ratings in online services, how the quality of the interaction affect the ratings and to what extend. Three studies were conducted to test out if consumers are more likely to rate when the human interactions take place, and they are more likely to rate when the interaction is not favourable. Furthermore, they are more likely to rate to the extreme. The results are predicted to agree with the hypotheses. The study results are valuable for brands to interpret the received ratings and to work to provide a better user experience.