The evolution of psychological involvement and customer loyalty: a longitudinal analysis of fitness facility members

Masayuki Yoshida, Mikihiro Sato, Anthony D. Pizzo, Rieko Kuramasu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Psychological involvement is a leading concept within sport management used to understand consumers’ behavior and their connection with a sport entity. Despite the concept’s importance, there is limited evidence on the longitudinal dynamics of its three facets (pleasure, centrality, and sign). To examine the relationships between the facets of psychological involvement and customer loyalty (attitudinal loyalty and visit frequency) over time, we conducted a three-wave longitudinal investigation using data from new fitness center customers (n = 150). Results indicate that while the impact of pleasure on attitudinal loyalty decreased from time 1 to time 2, the relationship between centrality and attitudinal loyalty increased during the same time period. Our findings further demonstrate that baseline pleasure (t1) has a sequential relationship with visit frequency (t3), first through baseline attitudinal loyalty (t1), and then through future attitudinal loyalty (t2). Our results imply that pleasure and centrality are salient to loyalty development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)744-765
Number of pages22
JournalSport Management Review
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • carryover effect
  • customer loyalty
  • fitness center
  • longitudinal research
  • psychological involvement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
  • Strategy and Management
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Marketing

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The evolution of psychological involvement and customer loyalty: a longitudinal analysis of fitness facility members'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this