The Classic Conceptualisation and Classification of Distribution Service Outputs - time for a revision?

Citation

van Waterschoot W, Sinha PK, Burt S, De Haes J, Foscht T & Lievens A (2010) The Classic Conceptualisation and Classification of Distribution Service Outputs - time for a revision?. In: Morschett D, Rudolph T, Schnedlitz P, Schramm-Klein H & Swoboda B (eds.) European Retail Research 2010/ Volume 24 Issue II. European Retail Research, 24.II. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 1-32. http://www.springerlink.com/content/j866363m57307446/

Abstract
Distribution service outputs structurally play a pivotal role in retail and channel management. This paper critically assesses the nature of Bucklin's classic formulation, which is concerned with numerically expressible economic benefits resulting from the execution of the distribution function within a perfectly operating economic channel. It is distinguished from postclassic extensions, which provide alternative multi-functional or institutional approaches. The paper captures both approaches in a generic higher-order customer value scheme, which also redefines and broadens the traditional economic benefits. The proposed generic framework also extends to any marketing sub-field and provides the potential for more focused theoretical and empirical research.

Keywords
Distribution Service Outputs; Retail(ing) Services; Consumer Benefits

People

Professor Steve Burt

Professor, Marketing & Retail