The deployment of chatbot to improve customer service in higher education institutions during COVID-19

Objective of the study: Present the customer service chatbot solutions implemented by MKT4EDU in three Brazilian HEIs.Methodology/Approach: We adopted the case study as a research method. In-depth interviews with four employees of MKT4EDU, the company responsible for the changes implemented in the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Gonçalves, Gustavo Silva, Ribeiro, Thiago de Luca Sant'ana, Teixeira, José Eduardo Valladares, Costa, Benny Kramer
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2022
Country:Brasil
Institution:Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE)
Repository:International Journal of Innovation (São Paulo)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.periodicos.uninove.br:article/20652
Online Access:https://periodicos.uninove.br/innovation/article/view/20652
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Chatbot
Higher education institutions
Covid-19
Service marketing.
Institución de enseñanza superior
Marketing de servicios.
Instituição de ensino superior
Marketing de serviços.
Description
Summary:Objective of the study: Present the customer service chatbot solutions implemented by MKT4EDU in three Brazilian HEIs.Methodology/Approach: We adopted the case study as a research method. In-depth interviews with four employees of MKT4EDU, the company responsible for the changes implemented in the student support processes at 3 HEIs, collected the data for this technical report interviews.Originality/Relevance: Describes in detail the chatbot implementation process adopted at these HEIs and the results obtained.Main Results: After implementing the changes, by introducing automated bots available 24/7, HEIs met the pent-up demands for student services at a lower cost.Theoretical/ Methodological Contribution: This study contributes to the chatbot literature by investigating how the education sector can implement this technology from five perspectives: interaction, information, accessibility, entertainment, and customization. We present the number of conversations between chatbot and users and the main topics addressed in these conversations.Social/Management Contribution: By reporting the improvements implemented with chatbot technology in three different HEIs at a time of crisis, we believe we are collaborating with organizations that face similar situations and need to adapt to a new context.