Challenges of the Knowledge Society (May 2018)
CUSTOMER EQUITY MANAGEMENT THROUGH CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT: A CRITICAL REVIEW
Abstract
The current trends in business processes call for companies to operate in a highly competitive environment. Part of the changes observed is the increased focus on customer retention. The management of customer relations and the retention and expansion of the customer base are among the main tasks of any business. The concept of customer equity management provides opportunities for fulfilment of these tasks, but also monitors the financial well-being of the company. All this necessitates its implementation by businesses.The ability to preserve and manage the company’s customer base is the application of the customer equity concept. This paper presents the opportunities for managing and increasing the value of customer equity through customer engagement. The research carried out tries to unify the conceptual framework of customer equity with the process of customer engagement resulting in the development of an integrated conceptual framework. Based on the proposed conceptual framework, the author draws the attention of managers not only to the analyses of the profitability from customers, but also to engagement of the entire customer base, regardless of its financial contribution to the well-being of the company. As a result, the intangible benefits from customers are regarded as an opportunity to increase the company’s customer equity.