Short answer

Prioritize the design and implementation of systems that enhance employee experience, as this is a powerful lever for improving customer experience and building lasting customer value.

Field
Innovation & Markets
Source
Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2021)
Method
Quantitative validation of a proposed model.
Evidence
Strong effect

Implementing robust Employee Experience Management (EEM) systems directly improves Customer Experience Management (CEM) and, consequently, boosts Customer Equity. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Journal of the Association for Information Systems. Using Quantitative validation of a proposed model., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize the design and implementation of systems that enhance employee experience, as this is a powerful lever for improving customer experience and building lasting customer value.

Study
Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Employee Experience Systems Drive Customer Equity Through Enhanced Customer Experience Management

Implementing robust Employee Experience Management (EEM) systems directly improves Customer Experience Management (CEM) and, consequently, boosts Customer Equity.

Journal of the Association for Information Systems · 2021

01

Key Findings

  • 01Employee Experience Management (EEM) systems have a direct positive effect on Customer Experience Management (CEM).
  • 02EEM systems indirectly enhance Customer Equity through their impact on CEM.
  • 03Key EEM system affordances supporting CEM include enabling job-crafting, fostering employee innovation, and involving employees in customer experience design.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize the design and implementation of systems that enhance employee experience, as this is a powerful lever for improving customer experience and building lasting customer value.

How to apply

Develop or refine internal platforms that allow employees to customize their work, contribute ideas, and participate in customer journey mapping and improvement initiatives.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how your design project can improve the experience of the people who will use or interact with the product/service.
  • 02Think about how employee involvement can lead to better product outcomes.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the relationship between Employee Experience Management Systems (EEM) and Customer Experience Management (CEM), and their subsequent impact on Customer Equity.
MethodQuantitative validation of a proposed model.
ProcedureA model was developed proposing that EEM systems influence CEM, which in turn affects Customer Equity. This model was validated using data from the hotel industry.
ContextService industry, specifically the hotel sector.

Variables

IVEmployee Experience Management (EEM) systems (and their affordances).
DVCustomer Experience Management (CEM) and Customer Equity.
CVIndustry context (hotel industry), potentially organizational culture, specific EEM system features.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Establishes a clear, data-driven link between employee experience and customer outcomes.
  • +Identifies specific mechanisms (affordances) through which EEM impacts CEM.

Limitations

The specific features of EEM systems and their direct impact might be hard to isolate without detailed system analysis.

Reliability & validity

The study's model was validated, suggesting a degree of reliability. However, external validity might be limited by the specific context.

Think critically

To what extent can the positive impact of EEM on CEM be attributed to the specific 'affordances' mentioned (job-crafting, innovation, customer experience design involvement), versus general employee satisfaction?

05

Design Principles

"Internal employee experience is a foundational element for external customer experience success."

This research highlights a critical, often overlooked, link between internal employee focus and external customer success. By investing in employee experience, organizations can create a more engaged workforce that is better equipped to deliver exceptional customer service, leading to stronger customer relationships and long-term value.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making employees happy and engaged at work helps them give customers a better experience, which makes customers more loyal.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user-centered design for both employees and customers.
  • 2.Use it to justify design choices that empower users or involve them in the design process.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Abhari et al. (2021) demonstrates a significant positive correlation between Employee Experience Management (EEM) systems and Customer Experience Management (CEM), ultimately impacting Customer Equity. This suggests that design projects aimed at improving internal employee workflows and engagement can be powerful drivers of external customer satisfaction and loyalty.

09

Source

Journal of the Association for Information Systems

‘Employees First’: The Relationship between Employee Experience Management Systems and Customer Experience Management

journal · 2021

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about employee experience systems drive customer equity through enhanced customer experience management?
Prioritize the design and implementation of systems that enhance employee experience, as this is a powerful lever for improving customer experience and building lasting customer value. Evidence: Journal of the Association for Information Systems (2021).
Why does "Employee Experience Systems Drive Customer Equity Through Enhanced Customer Experience Management" matter for design?
This research highlights a critical, often overlooked, link between internal employee focus and external customer success. By investing in employee experience, organizations can create a more engaged workforce that is better equipped to deliver exceptional customer service, leading to stronger customer relationships and long-term value.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize the design and implementation of systems that enhance employee experience, as this is a powerful lever for improving customer experience and building lasting customer value.
What were the main findings?
Employee Experience Management (EEM) systems have a direct positive effect on Customer Experience Management (CEM).. EEM systems indirectly enhance Customer Equity through their impact on CEM.. Key EEM system affordances supporting CEM include enabling job-crafting, fostering employee innovation, and involving employees in customer experience design.
What research method was used?
Quantitative validation of a proposed model..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2021 journal from Journal of the Association for Information Systems.
What should I do differently in my next project?
Develop or refine internal platforms that allow employees to customize their work, contribute ideas, and participate in customer journey mapping and improvement initiatives.
What are the limitations?
The study was validated within the hotel industry, and its generalizability to other sectors may vary.