Influence of special treatment benefits on Generation Y students’ attitude towards retail point-based loyalty programmes
Jacinta Ana Neves · Ephrem Habtemichael Redda ORCID ↗ · Natasha De Klerk
International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science · 2022 · Vol. 11 / Issue 8 · 24-34
Publication metrics
External links open provider records or DOI searches. Provider counts are not combined. Mendeley readership measures saves, not citations.
Dimensions
Live provider badge. If unavailable, use the Dimensions link above.
Observed 21 Oct 2026, 07:22 UTC
Observed 21 Oct 2026 07:22 UTC
Observed 22 Oct 2026 01:51 UTC
OpenAlex and Mendeley observations refresh on article visits, at most once per 24 hours. Unavailable data is not zero. Google Scholar opens a DOI search.
Citations received by this article, grouped by the year of the citing work. Crossref and OpenAlex lifetime totals remain separate in Publication metrics.
2017–2026 Annual history last updated:
Citations received
OpenAlex · year of the citing work
Hover over a year or focus the chart and use arrow keys to inspect values.
2017–2026 annual-history window. 2026 is year to date. Unknown years have gaps.
View data & coverage
2026 is incomplete. Within a successfully fetched ten-year window, omitted years mean zero. Years beyond a saved observation’s window remain unknown (—). Older citations are excluded, so this chart’s sum may differ from the OpenAlex lifetime total. The date above belongs to this annual history; an unsuccessful refresh keeps the previous observation.
Abstract
The number of loyalty programmes has increased rapidly, becoming one of the most used marketing practices in the global retail market today. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether special treatment benefits influence Generation Y students’ attitudes towards retail point-based loyalty programmes and usage behaviour in South Africa by extending the theory of planned behaviour and adding unique treatment benefits and consumer satisfaction factors to propose a model for this study. The study employed a quantitative method, where a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a non-probability convenience sample of 388 students (aged 18 to 24 years), across two public higher education institutions’ campuses in the Gauteng province. The collected data was examined using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, reliability, correlation analysis multicollinearity and structural equation modelling (SEM). The study results indicate that subjective norms, unique treatment benefits and perceived behavioural control positively influence consumer satisfaction. The results also indicate that consumer satisfaction has a positive influence in shaping consumer attitudes towards retail point-based loyalty programmes which in turn influence usage behaviour of Generation Y students.
Keywords: {'name': 'special treatment benefits'}, {'name': 'loyalty programmes'}, {'name': 'attitude'}, {'name': 'usage behaviour'}, {'name': 'Generation Y'}
Authors & affiliations
Jacinta Ana Neves
Affiliation not supplied
Ephrem Habtemichael Redda
Affiliation not supplied
Natasha De Klerk
Affiliation not supplied
Deposited references
Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.
Acar, A.B. (2014). Do intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors different for Generation X and Generation Y? International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5(5), 12-20.
DOI: 10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Ajzen, I. (2015). Consumer attitudes and behaviour: the theory of planned behaviour applied to food consumption decisions. Rivista di Economia Agrana, 2, 121-138.
DOI: 10.1016/j.dss.2012.12.032
DOI: 10.1108/BFJ-05-2013-0105
Alnaser, F.M.I., Ghani, M.A., Rahi, S., Mansour, M. & Abed, H. (2017). The impact of servqual model and subjective norms on consumers satisfaction and consumer loyalty in Islamic banks: a cultural context. International Journal of Economics & Management Sciences, 6(4), 1-7.
DOI: 10.5897/AJBM2014.7670
DOI: 10.1561/1700000026
DOI: 10.1108/03090569810216118
DOI: 10.1002/cb.1408
BusinessReport. (2017). Retail loyalty card stats in South Africa. http://www.iol.co.za/business-report/which-are-the-best-loyalty-programmes-in-sa-11558214 Date of Access: 24 July 2018.
Cameron, R., Ginsburg, H., Westhoff, M. & Mendez, R.V. (2012). Ajzens theory of planned behaviour and social media use by college students. American Journal of Psychological Research, 1-20.
CNBCAFRICA. (2016). Loyalty program interesting factors in South Africa. http://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/southern-africa/2016/07/15/retailing-in-south-africa-do-customer-loyalty-programs-really-work/ Date of Access: 17 November 2016.
DOI: 10.24052/JBRMR/V11IS04/RLPRBTCATRISAAES
DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2014/7-3/16
DOI: 10.1509/jmkg.65.4.33.18386
Demoulin, N.T.M. & Zidda, P. (2012). Do customers' perceived benefits with loyalty programmes influence their store loyalty? The case of the hierarchical loyalty programs. Namur: University of Namur. (Dissertation-Masters).
Dlamini, S. (2016). The mediating influence of loyalty programmes on repeat purchase behaviour in the retail sector. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand. (Dissertation-Masters).
DOI: 10.24052/JBRMR/V13IS03/ART-21
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00314.x
Eighty20 & TritechMedia. (2018). Loyalty programme member engagement survey. http://www.eighty20.co.za/app/uploads/2018/06/2018-Loyalty-Report.pdf. Date of Access: 24 October 2018.
DOI: 10.1007/s11747-011-0272-3
Fahad, A. & Bach, C. (2014). Loyalty program factors and how do they affect customer behavior. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5(6), 276-282.
Fournier, S., Dobscha, S. & Mick, D.G. (1998). Preventing the premature death of relationship marketing. Harvard Business Review, 76(1), 42-45.
DOI: 10.1057/jt.2009.20
DOI: 10.1016/j.omega.2012.10.003
DOI: 10.1108/10662240410542634
DOI: 10.1177/0092070398262002
DOI: 10.1080/02642069.2014.871531
DOI: 10.21113/iir.v8i1.386
Iacobucci, D. & Churchill, G.A. 2010. Marketing research: methodological foundations. 10th ed. South-Western: Cengage Learning.
Jain, R. & Singhal, S. (2012). A conceptual model for exploring impact of loyalty programs on consumer purchase behaviour: with special reference to Indian, apparel retailers. International Journal of Research in Management and Technology, 2(2), 164-173.
Jokinen, T. (2014). Customer loyalty program. Lappeenranta, Saimaa University of Applied Sciences. (Thesis-Masters).
Kasai, C. & Chauke, M.D. (2017). Investigating Customer Perceptions of Loyalty Cards and their Influence on Purchasing Behaviour in Major Retail Stores. Journal of Marketing and HR, 5(1), 302-324.
Kempen, E., Kasambala, J. & Toerien, E. (2015). A conceptual framework of e-fashion shopping intent. Retail and Marketing Review, 11(1), 23-43.
Khadka, K. & Maharjan, S. (2017). Customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Kokkola, Finland: Centria University of Applied Sciences. (Thesis-Masters).
DOI: 10.5539/ijbm.v11n1p144
Kilber, J., Barclay, A. & Ohmer, D. (2014). Seven tips for managing generation y. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, 15(4), 80-91.
DOI: 10.1515/aet-2017-0015
DOI: 10.5755/j01.ee.28.1.14635
Leenheer, J., Bijmolt, T.H.A., van Heerde, H.J. & Smidts, A. (2002). Do loyalty programs enhance behavioral loyalty: an empirical analysis accounting for program design and competitive effects. Center Discussion Paper, 65, 1-46.
Malhotra, N.K. (2010). Marketing research: an applied orientation. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
DOI: 10.1080/10641734.2004.10505161
Mpinganjira. M, Dos Santos. M., Botha. E., Du Toit. D.H., Erasmus. C., Maree. T. & Mugobo. V. (2013). Consumer behaviour: South African psychology and marketing applications. 2nd ed. Goodwood, Cape Town: Oxford University Press Southern Africa.
Ngo, J. (2013). Segmenting the loyalty program paradigm. California: University of Southern California. (Dissertation-Masters).
Nisson, C. & Earl, A. (2015). The theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour: examining the reasoned action approach to prediction and change of health behaviours. United States: University of Michigan. (Dissertation-Masters).
DOI: 10.1108/02634509810199535
DOI: 10.2307/1252099
Omar, N.A., Aziz, N.A. & Nazri, M.A. (2011). Understanding the relationships of program satisfaction, program loyalty and store loyalty among cardholders of loyalty programs. Asian Academy of Management Journal, 16, 21-41.
Pallant, J. (2010). SPSS survival manual. 4th ed. London: Open University Press.
Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. 5th ed. New York, NY: Mc-Graw Hill.
DOI: 10.1007/s10551-006-9100-y
DOI: 10.7763/IJTEF.2013.V4.268
Puraji, V. (2013). Relationship Marketing with Loyalty Programs in UAE Retail Markets. International Journal on Customer Relations, 1(1), 1-9.
Rachbini, W. (2018). The relationship of attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control on halal food purchasing behaviour in Jakarta. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 20(1), 28-37.
Rana, S.M.S., Osman, A. & Islam, M.A. (2014). Customer satisfaction of retail chain stores: evidence from Bangladesh. Journal of Asian Scientific Research, 4(10), 574-584.
Ranabhat, D. (2018). Customer loyalty in business: views of students of Centria University of Applied Sciences. Finland: Centria University of Applied Sciences. (Thesis-PhD).
DOI: 10.5590/IJAMT.2017.16.1.10
Sanderson, K. (2004). Store loyalty and the total retail experience. Cape Town: University of Stellenbosch. (Dissertation-Masters).
Sjöberg, A. & Svensson, D. (2012). A quantitative study of the attitudes towards loyalty programs among students. Linneuniversitetet: School of Business & Economics, (Thesis-Bachelors).
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8551.2008.00561.x
DOI: 10.11118/actaun201563020617
Sowetan Live. (2014). 10 things you didn't know about student spending. http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/business-news/2013/07/09/top-things-you-didn-t-know-about-student-spending Date of access: 16 October 2016.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.04.177
Statistics South Africa. (2018). Statistical release: po302: mid-year population estimates. http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/PO302/P0302018.pdf Date of access: 6 March 2019.
DOI: 10.1007/s11747-014-0405-6
Sungirirai, A., Chiguvi, D. & Sungirirai, L. (2015). The effect of customer loyalty programs on customer satisfaction in the mobile telecommunications sector in Botswana. International Journal of Science and Research, 6(2), 1815-1824.
Svensson, D. & Tran, M. (2014). Online loyalty program type identification: empirical study concerning Swedish online based loyalty programs & type identification. Sweden: Linnaeus University. (Thesis-PhD).
Universities South Africa. (2018). Universities of South Africa. http://www.universitiessa.ac.za/public-universities-south-africa. Date of access: 30 March 2018.
Vasconcellos, I. & Botelho, D. (2014). Factors influencing supermarket store loyalty in Brazil and their implications to loyalty programs. Global Journal of Management and Business Research: Administration and Management, 14(2), 23-34.
DOI: 10.1057/palgrave.dbm.3240278
DOI: 10.1177/1938965516636684
DOI: 10.5430/ijba.v6n2p106
Yoo, M. (2012). The long-term impact of a loyalty program: An evaluation from a Las Vegas casino hotel. Las Vegas: University of Nevada. (Dissertation-Doctorate).