The banks studied rely heavily on development programmes that aim to teach
employees how to be customer focused and service orientated. These programmes
entitled either ‘customer care’ or ‘customer service’ programmes seek to instil a
customer/service ethos within branch networks. In particular, these courses aim
to help staff understand the importance of meeting internal service standards as
a prerequisite for achieving external customer satisfaction. Through training and
education programmes, the view that employees’ attitudes and behaviours towards
customers form an integral part of the overall service offering, is promoted.
Developmental programmes aim to help individuals to identify their internal
customers and understand their needs and wants (Pfau et al. 1991) thus contributing
to the realisation of successful internal encounters and ultimately to satisfied external
customers (Lewis and Entwistle 1990).