Published 2026-06-25
Keywords
- Perceived Quality, Service Experience, Customer Satisfaction, Cargo, Metaphor
- Algılanan Kalite, Hizmet Deneyimi, Müşteri Memnuniyeti, Kargo, Metafor
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Mehri Banu Erdem

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Abstract
The rapid growth of e-commerce has increased the importance of cargo services in shaping customer experiences and satisfaction. This study aims to explore consumers' perceptions of cargo companies through metaphor analysis. A qualitative research design was employed, and data were collected through metaphor-based structured interviews with 65 consumers residing in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. The data were analysed using Content Analysis. The findings indicate that consumers generally hold positive perceptions of cargo companies, particularly regarding delivery speed, reliability, and operational efficiency. However, concerns related to customer communication and service consistency were also identified. The metaphorical expressions revealed both functional and emotional dimensions of cargo experiences, providing a deeper understanding of how consumers evaluate cargo services beyond conventional satisfaction measures. The study contributes to the literature by extending metaphor analysis to the context of cargo services. It offers practical implications for improving service quality, customer communication, and brand perception in cargo companies.
References
- Abduboriyevna, H.M., (2019). Conceptual metaphor theory, International Journal of Research, 6(13), 662-667. https://journals.pen2print.org/index.php/ijr/
- Alnıpak, S., Tunaboylu, Y. C., & Ceyhan, S. (2023). Air Cargo Carrier Selection: The Case of Turkey. Journal of Aviation, 7(2), 242-250. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1254490
- Altuntaş V., C., Baştuğ, S., & Gülmez, S. (2021). Sustainable brand positioning by container shipping firms: Evidence from social media communications. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 94, 102938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2021.102938
- Baştuğ, S., Şakar, G. D., & Gülmez, S. (2020). An application of brand personality dimensions to container ports: A place branding perspective. Journal of Transport Geography, 82, 102552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2019.102552
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2016). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
- Çoban, V., & Çağlar Aksezer, S. (2023). Cargo company recommendation study based on probabilistic linguistic term set. Bitlis Eren Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(4), 1226-1236. https://doi.org/10.17798/bitlisfen.1361043
- Deniz, A., & Gödekmerdan, L. (2011). A Study on Customers' Attitudes and Feelings Towards Cargo Firms' Services. Journal of Atatürk University Social Sciences Institute, 15(2), 379-396.
- Deste, M., & Savaşkan, A. G. (2021). E-Ticaret Işletmelerinin Kargo Firmasi Seçimi Üzerine Vikor Yöntemiyle Bir Uygulama. Uluslararası Anadolu Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 5(1), 4-21. https://doi.org/10.47525/ulasbid.818878
- Dexter, S., & LaMagdeleine, D. R. (2002). Dominance theater, slam-a-thon, and cargo cults: Three illustrations of how using conceptual metaphors in qualitative research works. Qualitative Inquiry, 8(3), 362-380. https://doi.org/10.1177/107780040080030
- Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008). The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x
- Fajardo, V. C., Molinillo, S., Sánchez, R. A., & Ekinci, Y. (2023). Brand personality: Current insights and future research directions. Journal of Business Research, 166, 114062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114062
- Fauziah, L. F., Subagja, A. D., & Anditasari, P. (2020). Brand personality matters: Enhancing customer loyalty in the retail industry. Branding: Jurnal Manajemen dan Bisnis, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.15575/jb.v2i1.28929
- Firdaus, F. F., & Sutarso, Y. (2022). The effect of perceived quality and value on express delivery services trust during pandemic Covid‑19. Journal of Business & Banking, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.14414/jbb.v12i2.3102
- Gerou, A., Patsiouras, C., & Pantouvakis, A., (2025). Stakeholders experience management in shipping industry: a strategic edge for competitive advantage. Maritime Policy & Management, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2025.2532465
- Gökmoğol, M.R., (2021). Logistics Concepts Dictionary, Turkish Airlines, GK Book Publishing, First Edition, Ankara, 1103.
- Helkkula, A., & Pihlström, M. (2010). Narratives and metaphors in service development. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 13(4), 354-371. https://doi.org/10.1108/13522751011078791
- Indap, Ş. (2019). The status of cargo companies in e-commerce logistics and innovative solution proposals to improve their competitiveness. Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 8(2), 39-67. https://www.betadergi.com/jeim/yonetim/icerik/makaleler/136-published.pdf
- Jiang, S. (2023). Research on Customer Satisfaction of SF Air Cargo Company. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/802111
- Keni, K., & Esmeralda, V. S. (2022). Brand personality as a predictor of consumer brand relationship. Jurnal Manajemen, 25(2), 206-221. https://doi.org/10.24912/jm.v25i2.736
- Kotler, P. (1998). Marketing Management. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River.
- Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2009). Interviews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. sage.
- Li, Y. (2023). SC Air Cargo Service Quality Research. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Aviation Business Research (Bachelor), https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/802080
- Mario, K. (2006). Delivering excellent service quality in aviation: a practical guide for internal and external service provider. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
- Morse, J. M. (1995). The significance of saturation. Qualitative Health Research, 5(2), 147-149. https://doi.org/10.1177/104973239500500201
- Nobar, H. B. K., & R. Rostamzadeh. (2018). "The impact of customer satisfaction, customer experience and customer loyalty on brand power: empirical evidence from the hotel industry." Journal of Business Economics and Management, 19(2), 417-430. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2018.5678.
- Pandey, S., & D. Chawla. (2018). "Online customer experience (OCE) in clothing e-retail: Exploring OCE dimensions and their impact on satisfaction and loyalty-does gender matter?" International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 46 (3), 323-346. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-01-2017-0005.
- Patchou, M., Sliwa, B., & Wietfeld, C. (2021). Flying robots for safe and efficient parcel delivery within the COVID-19 pandemic. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2101.07877
- Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Ren, L., H. Qiu, P. Wang, & P. M. Lin, (2016). "Exploring customer experience with budget hotels: Dimensionality and satisfaction." International Journal of Hospitality Management, 52,13-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2015.09.009.
- Temel, E. (2024). Your order has been shipped: shipping experiences of consumers in online shopping, Journal of Biga Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty, 5(2), 59-83. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/biibfd/issue/84968/1460225
- Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). (2024). Household information technologies (IT) usage survey, Retrieved August 10, 2025, https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Hanehalki-Bilisim-Teknolojileri-(BT)-Kullanim-Arastirmasi-2024-53492
- Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey. (2025). Report on the state of e-commerce in Turkey. Retrieved August 10, 2025, https://ticaret.gov.tr/duyurular/turkiyede-e-ticaretin-gorunumu-raporu-yayinlandi-06-05-2025
- Uzir, M. U. H., Al Halbusi, H., Thurasamy, R., Hock, R. L. T., Aljaberi, M. A., Hasan, N., & Hamid, M. (2021). The effects of service quality, perceived value and trust in home delivery service personnel on customer satisfaction: Evidence from a developing country. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 63, 102721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2021.102721
- Ünal, A., & Yücel, M. (2014). The factors that affect consumer preferences in cargo service marketing: the field survey in Malatya. Selcuk University The Journal of Social Sciences Institute (31.1), 119-133. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/susbed/issue/61810/924703
- Volodymyrivna, C.N., (2024). The concept of cognıtıve metaphor, phılology and journalism, Theoretical and empirical scientific research: concept and trends, section 13, 202-206. https://doi.org/10.36074/logos-16.08.2024.040
- Wang, J., S. Wang, H. Xue, Y. Wang, & J. Li. (2018). "Green image and consumers' word-of-mouth intention in the green hotel industry: The moderating effect of millennials." Journal of Cleaner Production, 181, 426-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.250.
- Wang, X., Wong, Y. D., Qi, G. & Yuen, K. F. (2021). Contactless channel for shopping and delivery in the context of social distancing in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 48, 101075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2021.101075
- Wang, X. (2023). SF Airlines Cargo Service Quality Evaluation and Research. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Aviation Business Research (Bachelor) https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/802023
- Yang, S., Ning, L., Jiang, T., & He, Y. (2021). Dynamic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on regional express logistics: Evidence from China. Transport Policy, 111, 111–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.07.012
- Yang, L. (2023). Research on cargo service quality improvement strategy of AC airlines. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Aviation Business Research (Bachelor), https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/802590
- Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research methods (10. Baskı). Seçkin Publishing.
- Yiğit, M., & Çakırkaya, M. (2024). The role of relationship marketing activities carried out by cargo companies during the Covid-19 pandemic on the service quality perception of corporate customers. İşletme Araştırmaları Dergisi, 16(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.20491/isarder.2024.1774
- Zaid, S., & P. Patwayati. (2021). "Impact of customer experience and customer engagement on satisfaction and loyalty: A case study in Indonesia." The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics & Business, 8(4), 983-992. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2021
- Zhang, D., Zhang, M., Peng, C., Jung, J. J., & Xia, F. (2021). Metaphor research in the 21st century: A bibliographic analysis. ArXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2105.00714
- Zhao, L. (2023). Air cargo service quality evaluation study at shuangliu international airport. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/802583


