Customer Based Transparency and Attributive Perception of Telecommunication Subscribers in South-South Nigeria
The study was conducted within Nigeria’s South-South geopolitical zone, aiming to explore four specific research questions alongside corresponding hypotheses. A descriptive survey method was utilized to carry out the research. The population of interest consisted of telecom users within this region, particularly those subscribed to major providers including MTN, GLO, AIRTEL, and 9mobile. Through simple random sampling, 384 participants were selected across Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Delta States. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire developed using a 5-point Likert scale format. To ensure content validity, the instrument was reviewed by a panel of three marketing experts from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. Reliability testing, implemented through a test-retest method, produced a correlation coefficient of 0.76, signifying a satisfactory level of reliability. Analytical tools such as descriptive statistics (weighted mean and standard deviation) were employed to interpret the research questions, while the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMC) was used to assess the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Key findings revealed that information disclosure had a moderate effect on subscribers’ perceptions, network clarity had a strong positive influence, while data and call accuracy showed minimal impact. Additionally, trust in service delivery moderately shaped user perceptions. The study concluded that transparency from telecom providers significantly enhances subscribers’ perceptions of service quality in the South-South region. Consequently, it was recommended that telecom operators emphasize transparent communication, particularly regarding service-related information, to foster greater customer trust and improve brand perception.