Beyond price competition the role of emotional response in driving customer loyalty
Ndejje University Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Volume 2, Issue 2
eISSN: 3079-7683
DOI:
1.Atibu Wahab, Ndejje University, atibwahab@gmail.com, ORCID: 0009-0005-5061-5921
2.Nazarious Rukanyangira, Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology (UICT), nrukana@gmail.com/
nrukanyangira@ndejjeuniversity.ac.ug, nazarious.rukanyangira@uict.ac.ug, ORCID: 0000-0002-5882-9730
Abstract
Uganda’s petroleum retail industry operates in a highly competitive and price-sensitive environment where service differentiation and customer experience increasingly determine business sustainability. While traditional loyalty models emphasize transactional satisfaction and economic incentives, growing evidence shows that emotional response plays a critical role in shaping enduring customer relationships. This study examined the influence of emotional response on customer loyalty, focusing on Stabex Uganda Limited in Wakiso District.
Grounded in emotional response theory and conditioned emotional response frameworks advanced by John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner, the study adopted a quantitative correlational cross-sectional design supported by qualitative insights. Data were collected from 80 respondents, including employees, retail customers, and commercial clients. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS. Results revealed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between emotional response and customer loyalty (r = 0.664, p < 0.01). Emotional response explained 43.4% of the variance in loyalty (Adjusted R² = 0.434). Constructs such as pleasure, arousal, trust, and advertising-induced affect significantly influenced repeat purchase intentions and brand advocacy. The study concludes that emotional engagement is a strategic driver of loyalty in Uganda’s petroleum sector and recommends emotional branding, customer experience enhancement, and ethical communication practices.


























