A method called "return on duality (ROQ)" has been proposed to evaluate the
financial impact of efforts to improve service quality. IS quantifies the
project-ed net present value of an improvement: project and calculates retu
rn on investment. During 1995 and 1996, Chase Manhattan Bank applied the me
thod in a controlled experiment with four test branches and four control br
anches within the retail banking: network, with a two-day training program
aimed at enhancing service delivery and customer satisfaction. Its primary
purpose was to assess the usefulness of the ROQ approach in improving custo
mer service. Largely because of the bank's merger with Chemical Bank, the s
tudy was not executed as planned. Despite this, the study showed favorable
results from the training effort. The ROQ model facilitated interpretation
of the study and appears useful for estimating the financial returns arisin
g from service;quality initiatives.