Service Quality
Liu and Arnett identified service quality as an important measure of Web site success [21]. In their empirical study, service quality was measured as quick responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and following-up service. Service quality can also be measured by the effectiveness of on-line support capabilities, such as answers to frequently asked questions, customized site intelligence, and order tracking [25]. None of the other e-commerce articles reviewed for this paper addressed service quality (i.e., user support). There is no debating the importance of supporting customers as they attempt to execute transactions via e-commerce systems, whether the support is offered through help desks, hotlines, service centers, or the like. It is necessary to look to the service-quality research stream for success measures that make sense in the e-commerce environment—measures such as responsiveness and technical competence.