Question

critically discuss characteristics of service, illustrate your understanding by relevant example

Answer 1

Characteristics of services

There are many characteristics of services . Some of them are as follows

1) Intangibility: services are intangible in nature . These can't be felt or tasted or heard. Eg: Friendliness of the hotel staff. It Is tangible. Unlike goods, it can't be touched or is not accessible in physical form.

2) inseparability : Services cannot be separated from their providers. The services can be provided from their service providers only. Eg: banking services could be provided by the people in banking industry . The bankers specialise in these services and cannot be separated from it. .

3) Variability or heterogeneity: another characteristic of service is that it in variable in nature. The services vary depending on the provider or the quality of the service provider, his experience etc. A professor of 30 years would provide or impart better experience and knowledge than the one who has begun his career.

4) perishability : Unlike goods , which can be stored and used later , the services are perishable in nature ie they cannot be stored and used later. Eg: An appointment with doctor , cannot be stored for future use and is limited till the time of appointment . Services of restaurants cannot be stored , they are used till the time one is having a meal there.

5) Lack of ownership: Goods can be owned and stored ,, but services cannot be owned. They lack ownership. Eg: services provided by travel agent. They don't own the flights and hotels they book for holidays . Rather they are just the service providers.

(You can comment for doubts)