This study was conducted to systematically investigate the impact of the educational service quality of Chinese martial arts clubs on training satisfaction, positive emotions, loyalty, and relationship bonds. The research was grounded in a comprehensi...
This study was conducted to systematically investigate the impact of the educational service quality of Chinese martial arts clubs on training satisfaction, positive emotions, loyalty, and relationship bonds. The research was grounded in a comprehensive theoretical framework integrating Service Quality theory (SERVQUAL), the Broaden-and-Build theory of positive psychology, and Relationship Marketing theory. It proposed an integrated research model considering the cultural specificity of Chinese martial arts education.
Methodologically, the study targeted parents whose children were training at martial arts clubs in Jiangsu Province, China. Using purposive sampling, 500 questionnaires were distributed, and 475 valid responses were collected, yielding a valid response rate of 95%. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0, employing frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. A statistical significance level of p < 0.05 was applied for all analyses.
The findings were derived as follows:
First, exploratory factor analysis to confirm the multidimensional structure of educational service quality verified that it consisted of five sub-factors: Instructor Expertise, Educational Program, Operational Service, Educational Facilities, and Educational Cost. The reliability (Cronbach's α) of each factor ranged between .879 and .902, indicating internal consistency of the measurement tool, and the overall reliability of educational service quality was very high at .975.
Second, analysis of the impact of educational service quality on training satisfaction revealed that Educational Facilities (β=.351, p<.001) and Instructor Expertise ( β=.305, p <.001) had statistically significant positive effects. This suggests that since martial arts training is directly related to physical activity and safety, parents prioritize the physical environment and the instructor's expertise.
Third, analysis showed that Educational Program (β=.321, p<.001) had the greatest influence on the formation of positive emotions. This is interpreted as systematic, diverse, and goal-oriented programs directly stimulating positive emotions such as enjoyment, interest, and a sense of accomplishment during the learning process.
Fourth, for the formation of loyalty, Educational Program (β=.396, p<.001) and Operational Service (β=.348, p<.001) acted as strong predictors, while Educational Cost (β=-.090, p<.05) had a significant negative influence. This shows that parental loyalty is formed based on continuous and systematic service experiences rather than mere one-time satisfaction.
Fifth, regarding the formation of relationship bonds, Educational Cost (β=.413, p<.001) and Educational Facilities (β=.292, p<.001) were found to have the largest positive effects. This demonstrates that economic fairness and excellent physical facilities form the foundation for long-term trust and bonds between the club and parents.
Sixth, structural relationship analysis identified the causal mechanism through which educational service quality develops beyond simple satisfaction (cognitive evaluation) into positive emotions (affective evaluation) and loyalty (attitudinal loyalty), ultimately leading to relationship bonds. Notably, the finding that positive emotions (β=.564) had a greater impact on loyalty than parental satisfaction (β=.387) is interpreted as reflecting the emotional characteristics of martial arts training.
The theoretical implications of this study are as follows: First, it applied service quality theory to the specific context of martial arts education and verified its validity. Second, it empirically elucidated the complex mechanism through which educational service quality leads to relationship bonds. Third, it presented an integrated model considering the cultural specificity of martial arts education.
Practical implications suggest that: First, martial arts club operators should focus strategic resources on modernizing educational facilities and developing instructor expertise. Second, there is a need to enhance the diversity and quality of educational programs to evoke positive emotions in parents and trainees. Third, emphasis should be placed on value-based pricing through balanced pricing policies.
Limitations of this study include the sample being confined to Jiangsu Province, the cross-sectional research design, and reliance solely on parental perceptions. Future research should encompass samples from various regions across China, employ longitudinal research designs, and utilize multi-respondent designs involving both parents and trainees.
In conclusion, high-quality martial arts educational services go beyond mere physical training; they promote psychological satisfaction and social relationship building among learners, providing a theoretical and practical foundation for service improvement and the sustainable development of martial arts clubs.