Service quality management and customer satisfaction at Sécil Marítima, Soyo Terminal

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71068/SMJ00115

Keywords:

Service quality management, service quality, customer satisfaction, SERVQUAL, maritime transport.

Abstract

Service quality management is relevant to customer satisfaction and organizational performance. In maritime passenger transport, safety, reliability, punctuality, customer service, and comfort are particularly important. This study analyses the relationship between service quality management and customer satisfaction at SÉCIL Marítima, Soyo Terminal. A mixed-method, applied approach using a case study design was adopted. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 50 customers through SERVQUAL-based questionnaires, complemented by interviews with managers and documentary analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data through content analysis. The findings showed that safety achieved the highest satisfaction level (95%) and the smallest gap (-0.1), while responsiveness presented the largest difference between expectations and perceptions (-1.1). Punctuality, customer service, empathy, and tangibles also showed gaps. It is concluded that perceived service quality is relevant to customer satisfaction, with safety as the main strength and responsiveness, punctuality, and customer service requiring greater attention.

References

1. Mikuličić JŽ, Kolanović I, Jugović A, Brnos D. Evaluation of service quality in passenger transport with a focus on liner maritime passenger transport—A systematic review. Sustainability. 2024;16(3):1125. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031125.

2. Parasuraman A, Zeithaml VA, Berry LL. SERVQUAL: a multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perceptions of service quality. J Retailing. 1988;64(1):12-40. https://zenodo.org/records/14579730.

3. Cronin JJ Jr, Taylor SA. Measuring service quality: a reexamination and extension. J Mark. 1992;56(3):55-68. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299205600304.

4. Bitner MJ. Servicescapes: the impact of physical surroundings on customers and employees. J Mark. 1992;56(2):57-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299205600205.

5. Hanafiah MH, Asyraff MA. Effects of post-pandemic perceived safety and security and service quality on ferry service’s image, satisfaction, and loyalty. Anatolia. 2023;34(2):280-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2022.2059532.

6. Chuenyindee T, Ong AKS, Ramos JP, Prasetyo YT, Nadlifatin R, Kurata YB, et al. Public utility vehicle service quality and customer satisfaction in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilities Policy. 2022;75:101336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2022.101336.

7. German JD, Redi AANP, Prasetyo YT, Persada SF, Ong AKS, Young MN, et al. Choosing a package carrier during COVID-19 pandemic: an integration of pro-environmental planned behavior theory and service quality (SERVQUAL). J Clean Prod. 2022;346:131123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131123.

8. Mourão L, Tavares SM, Sandall H. Professional development short scale: measurement invariance, stability, and validity in Brazil and Angola. Front Psychol. 2022;13:841768. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.841768.

9. Aoki A, Mochida K, Kuramata M, Sadamori T, Bhandari AKC, Freitas HR, et al. The RE-AIM framework-based evaluation of the implementation of the Maternal and Child Health Handbook program in Angola: a mixed methods study. BMC Health Serv Res. 2022;22:1071. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08454-9.

10. Pietravalle A, Baraldi A, Scilipoti M, Cavallin F, Lonardi M, Tshikamb IM, et al. Influence of a quality improvement intervention on rehabilitation outcomes of children (6-24 months) with acute malnutrition: a retrospective study in rural Angola. BMC Pediatr. 2022;22:532. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-022-03585-8.

11. Rolo A, Saraiva M, Leandro G, Nogueiro T, Alves R. A comparative study of service quality in Portuguese and Angolan higher education institutions. In: Reis J, et al., editors. Driving Quality Management and Sustainability in VUCA Environments. Cham: Springer; 2024. p.199-208. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52723-4_16.

12. Chimbuco BN, Pita JR, Martinez EZ, dos Santos CB, Ekundi-Valentim E. Cultural adaptation of the pharmacy services questionnaire (PSQ) to the context of Angola. BMC Prim Care. 2025;26:213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02912-z.

13. Sili EM, Nascimento ERP, Malfussi LBH, Hermida PMV, Souza AIJ, Lazzari DD, et al. Humanized care in the Intensive Care Unit: discourse of Angolan nursing professionals. Rev Bras Enferm. 2023;76(2):e20220474. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0474.

14. Pinho M, Borges AP. Healthcare professionals’ attitudes concerning prioritisation decisions: a quali-quantitative analysis in Angola. Glob Bus Econ Rev. 2021;24(2):128-146. https://doi.org/10.1504/GBER.2021.113120.

15. de Carvalho Maquengo AS, Bastos AM, Santana MS. Factors influencing access to primary health care in Luanda, Angola. BMC Health Serv Res. 2025;25:250. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12120-7.

16. Relógio AT, Tavares FO. An evaluation of passenger satisfaction among users of Huambo Airport in Angola. Urban Sci. 2023;7(2):57. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci7020057.

17. Sourav MMI, Abeer AA, Bhuiyan AH. Quantifications of service quality factors using the relative importance index method for passenger ferry service in Bangladesh. Discov Civ Eng. 2024;1:7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-024-00008-8.

18. Della RH, Rachmanullah AF. Passenger satisfaction perspective on ferry service quality: a case study of Merak-Bakauheni Ferry Port. Cantilever. 2021;10(1). https://doi.org/10.35139/cantilever.v10i1.80.

19. Menezes LJR, Silva DWP, Nascimento IR, Lucena BRD, Martins HS. Avaliação da qualidade dos serviços de transporte colectivo rodoviário utilizando o método SERVQUAL adaptado. Navus. 2022;12:1-12. https://doi.org/10.22279/navus.2022.v12.p01-12.1691.

20. Lima PRF, Ramalho LA, Santos IRD, Oliveira TP, Lima Júnior GS. Avaliação da qualidade do serviço de transporte público universitário em uma cidade cearense utilizando a ferramenta SERVQUAL. Braz J Prod Eng. 2025;11(2). https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i2.48055.

21. Tjendana Y, Pranitasari D. Determinants of SERVQUAL dimensions on customer satisfaction and loyalty in maritime transportation and logistics services. J Ecoment Glob. 2024;9(3):227-240. https://doi.org/10.36982/jeg.v9i3.5179.

22. Yasin MY, Abayneh M. The effect of service quality on customer satisfaction in railway transport service in Ethio-Djibouti. Glob J Bus Econ Manag Curr Issues. 2023;13(2):161-176. https://doi.org/10.18844/gjbem.v13i2.8096.

23. Sitzimis I. Service quality and passenger satisfaction on the coastal routes of Southwest Crete. Trans Marit Sci. 2024;13(2). https://doi.org/10.7225/toms.v13.n02.014.

24. Özdemir AD, Kuleyin B. Effects of perceived service quality of vessel traffic services on the corporate image: a study on the Turkish Straits. Dokuz Eylül Univ Marit Fac J. 2023;15(2):142-165. https://doi.org/10.18613/deudfd.1028857.

25. Sarmento EM, Azevedo SC. A qualidade do serviço e a satisfação do cliente: estudo dos clientes do Banco de Poupança e Crédito - Luanda (Angola). Lisboa: ISEG/CEsA; 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/27742.

26. Munzemba PA, Araújo JF. A qualidade na prestação dos serviços públicos em Angola: a perceção dos usuários da rede SIAC de Luanda. Perspectivas J Polit Sci. 2021;24:41-55. https://doi.org/10.21814/perspectivas.3354.

Published

2026-08-14

How to Cite

Mazailua Júnior, M. P. (2026). Service quality management and customer satisfaction at Sécil Marítima, Soyo Terminal. Sapiens Management Journal, 3(3), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.71068/SMJ00115

Similar Articles

11-20 of 27

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.