Empirical Validation of Key-Factors of Connected Remote Services

Based on an exploration of key-factors of connected remote services(CRS)by means of a qualitative study among German automotive customers,this study operationalizes the phenomenon.The definition of CRS as service innovation captures the special particularity of connectedness as attribute,providing simultaneous connectivity of customers to a service object(e.g.car),and a service provider(e.g.dealer and car manufacturer).The measurement model is conceptualized as a second-order formative construct defining the five key-factors:convenience,connectedness,comfort,safety,and reliability as first-order reflective constructs as identified in the prior qualitative study.The scale validation was undertaken at the first-and second-order levels.The result confirms the five distinct first-order measurement models.At the second-order level,a multiple indicators and multiple causes(MIMIC)model was employed to assess the validity of the formative measurement model.The operationalization confirms the distinctness of the five CRS key-factors.Further,the results suggest that four of five key-factors significantly contribute to the overarching construct of connected remote services,with safety and connectedness being the most important contributors and comfort to be shown as not significant.The confirmed concept of CRS will provide future research with a basis to explore different impacts of CRS use,e.g.in the context of technology acceptance and intentional customer behavior.