Fitness switching costs scale (FSCS): development and assessment of higher-order reflective-formative scale

ABSTRACT Research question Scholars have recognized the critical role of switching costs in predicting consumption behavior. However, a scale measuring fitness consumers’ switching costs was unavailable. The purpose of the study is to develop and validate a fitness switching costs scale (FSCS). Research methods A three-step study was conducted. Step 1 generated a pool of items, which were then content validated by expert judges (N = 6). Step 2 (n = 455) examined the reliability and validity of the FSCS. Finally, Step 3 (n = 441) cross-validated the FSCS. Results and Findings The results provided support for the reliability and validity of the FSCS composed of the third-order formative construct (i.e. switching costs) with the four second-order formative constructs (i.e. procedural costs, relationship costs, financial costs, and convenience costs) and the 11 first-order reflective constructs (i.e. adjustment to a new fitness center, lack of other attractive fitness centers, information search costs, fitness center relationship loss, employee relationship loss, other consumer relationship loss, termination fee, loss of price benefit, loss of location benefit, loss of service-hour benefit, and loss of equipment availability benefit). Implications The FSCS allows researchers to obtain reliable results and advances theory development in fitness switching costs. Fitness practitioners can also use the FSCS and survey their current consumers to determine factors that prevent consumer defection.