The Effects of Service Design Quality Factors and Availability on User Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to suggest and prove that service design is not in the dimension of a simply new design methodology, but in the design paradigm change from conventional tangible and visual view of design to the intangible service of design. Based on a variety of literature research, this study defined service design, found its characteristics, and proved its differences from conventional design approaches and thoughts. To do that, this study looked into service design theories, processes, and methodologies, defined quality factor and availability of service design, and user satisfaction, and setup hypotheses to prove them. This study conducted a questionnaire survey with service design firms, service designers, and their customers. The questionnaire data were applied to structural equation to analyze the hypotheses. According to the analysis, reliability, tangibility, assurance, and empathy of the quality factors of service design were accepted, but responsiveness of the factors was rejected. It was found that quality factors positively influenced availability and ended up positively affecting user satisfaction. The quantitative research results will made some suggestions to service design firms and designers in the paradigm change to service-centric design, and will show the importance of understanding the essence of service in terms of design methodology.