Shopping with Voice Assistants: How Empathy Affects Individual and Family Decision-Making Outcomes

Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled voice assistants (VAs) such as Amazon Alexa increasingly assist shopping decisions and exhibit empathic behavior. The advancement of empathic AI raises concerns about machines nudging consumers into purchasing undesired or unnecessary products. Yet, it is unclear how the machine’s empathic behavior affects consumer responses and decision-making outcomes during voice-enabled shopping. This article draws from the service robot acceptance model (sRAM) and social response theory (SRT) and presents an individual-session experiment where families (vs. individuals) complete actual shopping tasks using an ad-hoc Alexa app featuring high (vs. standard) empathic capabilities. We apply the experimental conditions as moderators to the structural model, bridging selected functional, social-emotional, and relational variables. Our framework collocates affective empathy, explicates the bases of consumers’ beliefs, and predicts behavioral outcomes. Findings demonstrate (i) an increase in consumers’ perceptions, beliefs, and adoption intentions with empathic Alexa, (ii) a positive response to empathic Alexa holding constant in family settings, and (iii) an interaction effect only on the functional model dimensions whereby families show greater responses to empathic Alexa while individuals to standard Alexa

The Diversified Online Shopper: Website Feature Preferences and Individual Characteristics

The current study examined the nature of diversified online shoppers with respect to existing differences in their level of website feature preferences, Internet experience (usage and shopping behaviors) and individual demographic characteristics. Using an online survey, 540 individuals residing within United States responded to questions concerning their demographics, extent of Internet usage, online visiting and purchasing behaviors and preference for website features. Individuals were categorized into different user groups- low, medium and high, depending on the extent of their self-reported diversified online shopping across the nine specific product categories. Since shopping referred to both browsing of online information and online purchasing, this categorization was done separately for both browsing and purchasing behaviors. The study found that an individual\u27s diversified online browsing behavior was different from one\u27s diversified online purchasing behavior. With regard to their diversified online browsing, significant group differences were found between the three browser groups in their preference for website features and Internet experience. The typical diversified online browser was more likely to be affluent and male. With regard to the individual\u27s online purchasing behavior, the low, medium and high diversified purchasers were found to differ significantly from one another in their website feature preferences as well as Internet experience. And the typical diversified online purchaser was more likely to be highly educated, affluent and male. Implications of these results as well as limitations of the current study were discusse

From Berlin to Lisbon: is car sharing a fad?

Car sharing is a market that has been in existence since the early 1950s. It entails members within a given society sharing cars to reach their destination and as such, saving up on costs, time and parking space. Car sharing reduces congestion within cities and as such, making it an important and impactful aspect in the protection of the environment. This paper seeks to evaluate the comparison of the car-sharing industry within Germany and Portugal and how it is influenced by millennials. It looks at a number of aspects such as the role of technology, the preservation of the environment, costs, income, and other factors. The survey that is included in the research focuses on Lisbon and Berlin and the millennials that live within them and how they integrate car-sharing services. The results that are realized indicate that Berlin has had the car-sharing industry for some time and as such, making it more prominent as compared to Lisbon. Nonetheless, the car sharing industry within Portugal is also developing at an alarming rate and as such, making the two areas competitive to some degree when it comes to this industry"Car sharing" é um conceito que existe no mercado desde os anos 50. Significa que, membros de uma mesma sociedade, partilhem automóveis para chegar ao seu destino, e ao mesmo tempo também poupem dinheiro, tempo e estacionamento. O "car sharing" reduz o congestionamento dentro das cidades e tem um impacto importante na proteção do meio ambiente. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar e comparar o mercado de "car sharing" entre Portugal e Alemanha e como este é influenciado pelos "millennials". Analisa uma série de aspetos como o papel da tecnologia, a defesa do meio ambiente, custos, o rendimento, entre outros. O estudo incluído neste trabalho concentra-se nas cidades de Lisboa e Berlim e nos "millennials" residentes nestas cidades que utilizem este serviço de "car sharing". Os resultados mostram que Berlim possuí a indústria do "car sharing" há mais tempo e daí ser mais familiar e popular do que em Lisboa. No entanto, o "car sharing" em Portugal está a desenvolver-se rapidamente o que torna esta área cada vez mais competitiva na indústria

O futuro da economía circular: a moda de segunda man en España

[Abstract] The beginning of the consumer society era or the fast fashion phenomenon have led the planet to generate and accumulate huge amounts of clothing waste. According to data from Asociación Ibérica de Reciclaje Textil (ASIRTEX, 2019), in Spain, an average of 32.35kg of clothing is discarded per person and only 1.7kg is processed correctly. The circular economy, and within this, the marketing of second-hand fashion, is one of the main challenges that, in terms of sustainability, the textile sector must face. For this reason, this Final Degree Project aims to answer three main questions. Firstly, to analyse the situation of second-hand clothing in Spain. Secondly, to find out the position adopted by buyers with respect to the second-hand clothing market. And finally, to determine whether the secondhand market would be a viable option for the circular economy in Spain. In terms of methodology, this work uses different scientific methods. The analytical-synthetic method is applied in the first part of the work (chapters 1-3), where a literature review of previous publications is carried out. After this review, in a deductive way, the possible variables that influence the purchasing decision were selected, with the aim of designing a structured questionnaire. The empirical analysis, on the other hand, makes use of the hypothetical-deductive method, based on the descriptive analysis of the primary data obtained through the survey carried out on 215 people. Finally, based on the information analysed, the main conclusions and contributions are presented in an inductive manner. The empirical evidence shows that in Spain more than half of the people interviewed are consumers of second-hand clothes and that even non-buyers would be willing to buy second-hand if certain conditions were met. People who buy second-hand clothes in Spain are style-conscious consumers, but they are also aware of the environmental impact of second-hand clothes compared to new clothes. They would also be willing to spend more money on clothes that are sustainable. The responses found allow us to affirm that buying second-hand clothes is a buying trend that seems to be on the rise in the coming years. In general, Spanish consumers have received a positive response to second-hand clothing and there is little stigma attached to it, making it a viable option for the circular economy in Spain. Furthermore, it has been found that the pandemic caused by COVID-19 did not have a major impact on the behaviour of second-hand clothing consumers. Ultimately, this work allows us to consider second-hand clothing as a positive part of the potential future of the textile industry. A future that uses resources already present in this planet and that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.[Resumen] El inicio de la era de la sociedad de consumo o el fenómeno del fast fashion han llevado al planeta a generar y acumular cantidades ingentes de desechos de ropa. Según datos de la Asociación Ibérica de Reciclaje Textil (ASIRTEX, 2019), en España, se desechan una media de 32.35kg de ropa por persona y solo 1.7kg son procesados correctamente. La economía circular, y dentro de ésta, la comercialización de moda de segunda mano, constituyen uno de los principales desafíos que, en términos de sostenibilidad, debe afrontar el sector textil. Por ello, este Trabajo Fin de Grado tiene como objetivo dar respuesta a tres cuestiones principales. En primer lugar, analizar la situación de la ropa de segunda mano en España. En segundo lugar, conocer la posición adoptada por los compradores con respecto al mercado de ropa de segunda mano. Y finalmente, determinar si el mercado de segunda mano sería una opción viable para la economía circular en España. Sobre la metodología, en este trabajo se hace uso de diferentes métodos científicos. El método analítico-sintético se aplica en la primera parte del trabajo (capítulos 1-3), donde se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de publicaciones previas. Tras esta revisión, de un modo deductivo, se han seleccionado las posibles variables que influyen en la decisión de compra, con el objetivo de diseñar un cuestionario estructurado. El análisis empírico, por su parte, hace uso del método hipotéticodeductivo, a partir del análisis descriptivo de los datos primarios obtenidos a través de la encuesta realizada a 215 personas. Finalmente, a partir de la información analizada, de un modo inductivo, se presentan las principales conclusiones y aportaciones. La evidencia empírica muestra que en España más de la mitad de las personas entrevistadas son consumidoras de ropa de segunda mano y que incluso las no compradoras estarían dispuestas a comprar de segunda mano si se dan ciertas condiciones. Las personas que consumen ropa de segunda mano en nuestro país están centradas en el estilo, pero, a su vez, conscientes del impacto medioambiental de la ropa de segunda mano en relación con la ropa nueva. Asimismo, estarían dispuestas a gastar más dinero en prendas que fueran sostenibles. Las respuestas encontradas nos permiten afirmar que la compra de ropa segunda mano es una tendencia de compra que parece irá en aumento en los próximo años. En general, los consumidores españoles han recibido una respuesta positiva a la ropa de segunda mano y existe poco estigma en torno a ella, por lo que sería una opción viable para la economía circular en España. Además, se ha detectado que la pandemia provocada por el COVID-19 no tuvo un gran impacto en el comportamiento de estos consumidores. En última instancia, este trabajo permite considerar las prendas de segunda mano como parte positiva del potencial futuro de la industria textil. Un futuro que utilice recursos ya presentes en nuestro planeta y que sea más sostenible y respetuoso con el medio ambiente.[Resumo] O inicio da era da sociedade de consumo ou o fenómeno da moda rápida levaron ao planeta a xerar e acumular inxentes cantidades de residuos de roupa. Segundo datos da Asociación Ibérica de Reciclaxe Téxtil (ASIRTEX, 2019), en España descártanse unha media de 32,35 kg de roupa por persoa e só se procesan correctamente 1,7 kg. A economía circular, e dentro dela, a venda de moda de segunda man, constitúen un dos principais retos que debe afrontar o sector téxtil en materia de sustentabilidade. Polo tanto, este Traballo Fin de Grao pretende dar resposta a tres preguntas principais. En primeiro lugar, analizar a situación da roupa de segunda man en España. En segundo lugar, coñecer a posición adoptada polos compradores con respecto ao mercado de roupa de segunda man. E por último, determinar se o mercado de segunda man sería unha opción viable para a economía circular en España. En canto á metodoloxía, podemos afirmar que este traballo fai uso de diferentes métodos científicos. O método analítico-sintético aplícase na primeira parte do traballo (capítulos 1-3), onde se realiza unha revisión bibliográfica de publicacións anteriores. Tras esta revisión, de forma dedutiva, seleccionáronse as posibles variables que inflúen na decisión de compra, co obxectivo de deseñar un cuestionario estruturado. A análise empírica, pola súa banda, fai uso do método hipotéticodedutivo, baseado na análise descritiva dos datos primarios obtidos mediante a enquisa a 215 persoas. Finalmente, a partir da información analizada, de xeito inductivo, preséntanse as principais conclusións e achegas. A evidencia empírica mostra que en España máis da metade das persoas entrevistadas son consumidores de roupa de segunda man e que incluso os non compradores estarían dispostos a comprar de segunda man se se cumpren determinadas condicións. As persoas que consumen roupa de segunda man no noso país son consumidores centrados no estilo, pero, ao mesmo tempo, son conscientes do impacto ambiental da roupa de segunda man en relación coa roupa nova. Así mesmo, tamén estarían dispostos a gastar máis cartos en prendas que fosen sostibles. As respostas atopadas permítennos afirmar que a compra de roupa de segunda man é unha tendencia de compra que parece ir en aumento nos próximos anos. En xeral, os consumidores españois recibiron unha resposta positiva á roupa de segunda man e hai pouco estigma ao seu redor, polo que sería unha opción viable para a economía circular en España. Ademais, detectouse que a pandemia provocada polo COVID-19 non tivo un gran impacto no comportamento dos consumidores de roupa de segunda man. En definitiva, este traballo permítenos considerar a roupa de segunda man como parte positiva do potencial de futuro da industria téxtil. Un futuro que utilice recursos xa presentes no noso planeta e que sexa máis sostible e respectuoso co medio ambiente.Traballo fin de grao (UDC.FHD). Xestión Industrial da Moda. Curso 2021/202

The factors driving continuance intention to online shopping (e-loyalty): behaviour differences in the case of Saudi Arabia

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University LondonThis study proposes a model of e-shopping continuance intentions that incorporate the revised technology acceptance model and expectation confirmation theory to measure continuance online shopping intentions within Saudi Arabia. Using structural equation modelling to confirm the model fit, and a 463-person sample, the author finds that perceived usefulness, enjoyment, and subjective norms determine online shopping continuance intentions, across male (30% of the sample) and female (70%) respondents. The structural weights are largely equivalent, yet the regression paths from site quality to perceived usefulness and perceived usefulness to continuation intentions are not invariant across the research sample. This research thus moves beyond consideration of online shopping intentions to include factors that may affect online shopping continuance. The research model is able to explain 61% of the variance in intentions to continue shopping online. Therefore, online strategies cannot ignore either direct or indirect differences in continuance intentions due to behaviour differences among shoppers in Saudi Arabia. With the high percentages of participants from the main populated regions in Saudi Arabia, the research model can be generalized across Saudi Arabia. Thus, the research has added to the limited literature on online repurchase intention or continuance intention by testing the proposed model in a context that has never before been tested. Furthermore, few prior studies use SEM as their methodological approach, and even fewer apply invariance analysis to verify behavioural differences based on gender, regional, education, e-shopping experience, and e-shopping spending with a sample obtained from Saudi Arabia. This study addresses these various knowledge gaps. Moreover, this thesis provides managers with useful and important information they can use to plan their Web sites and marketing strategies. The findings will help e-retailers to identify which web site attributes influence consumers’ e-shopping intentions, and thus improve the effectiveness of their e-shopping sites. A more thorough understanding of e-shopping continuance intention helps e-retailers to entice e-shoppers to shop online more, and entice non-online shoppers to shop online. Keywords: Internet shopping, e-shopping, technology acceptance, behavioural differences, continuance intentions, online shopping, Saudi Arabia.Government of Saudi Arabia represented by the Minister of Higher Educatio

The Impact of E-commerce on the Development of Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia

This paper is based on a Ph.D. study investigating the critical challenges facing e-commerce adoption by entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia, identifying the major driving factors, barriers, motivations, perceived advantages, potential problems and some practical solutions as well as future expectations from entrepreneurs’ perspectives. From the study findings, a set of practical recommendations were derived for the government, entrepreneurs and investors in Saudi Arabia to consider, to promote ecommerce entrepreneurship in the county. The research was undertaken using a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques involved in-depth, semi-structured interviews, with (1) e-commerce entrepreneurs, and (2) government authorities, educational initiatives and private support institutions. Data collected was thematically analyzed. The findings led to the identification of five significant factors that were found to influence e-commerce related entrepreneurial activities in Saudi Arabia, leading to both “necessity entrepreneurship” and “opportunity entrepreneurship”: 1) government and institutional funding and financing, 2) government and institutional education and training, 3) government policies and legislation, 4) infrastructure and 5) gender and the cultural environment

Internationalization strategies of the companies via e-commerce

E-commerce eliminated all national borders between countries and provided a new dimension to the internationalization process. Technological developments have made the study of electronic commerce in the international environment inevitable. This study highlights the possibilities and challenges of e-commerce and, consequently, the impact of this form of internationalization on company strategy. For the development of an empirical study, five interviews were analyzed with the primary objective of exploring the motivations that led companies to expand online. As the consumer is the leading player in this process, its perspective concerning ecommerce was studied. For this, an online survey was created to analyze the impact of social networks on the consumer's relationship. The results suggest an apparent connection between internationalization strategies and the adaptation of e-commerce. In this study, we conclude that e-commerce is one of the main internationalization strategies.O e-commerce eliminou todas as fronteiras nacionais entre os países e proporcionou uma nova dimensão ao processo de internacionalização. A evolução tecnológica tornou inevitável o estudo do comércio eletrónico no ambiente internacional. Este estudo visa evidenciar as possibilidades e desafios do e-commerce e, consequentemente, o impacto dessa forma de internacionalização na estratégia das empresas. Para o desenvolvimento de um estudo empírico, foram analisadas cinco entrevistas com o objetivo principal de analisar as motivações que levaram as empresas a expandirem online. Como o consumidor é o principal player neste processo, foi estudada a perspetiva do mesmo em relação ao e-commerce. Para isso, foi criado um inquérito online para analisar o impacto das redes sociais na relação com o consumidor. Os resultados sugerem uma conexão aparente entre as estratégias de internacionalização e a adaptação do e-commerce. Neste estudo, podemos verificar que o e-commerce é uma das principais estratégias de internacionalização

An integrated communication plan for herdade dos Arrochais

Projectpresente tese de mestrado é um projecto-empresa em cooperação com a Herdade dos Arrochais, uma empresa produtora de vinhos Alentejanos, com localização na Amareleja (Alentejo), cujo reconhecimento por parte dos consumidores é reduzido embora os seus vinhos tenham um grande potencial. Após a identificação do problema, foi analisada toda a envolvente macro-económica, o sector, a concorrência e o consumidor por forma a identificar as oportunidades existentes. Foi igualmente efetuada uma análise interna, que permitiu a identificação das principais lacunas da empresa, e uma revisão de literatura e uma revisão de literatura que permitiu enquadrar os principais conceitos teóricos que estão na base deste projeto. Apesar da atual crise económica, os portugueses continuam a ser dos maiores consumidores de vinho do Mundo, pelo que o problema que se verifica está relacionado com a falta de reconhecimento da marca. A solução encontrada para aumentar o valor e a notoriedade da marca, conquistando clientes e aumentando as vendas, foi um plano de comunicação integrada. Assim, foi elaborado um plano com especial enfoque na proposta de comunicação através da criação de um Website, com o intuito também de melhorar a distribuição. A proposta realizada resultou no desenvolvimento de ideias e ações, reforçando os principais pontos fortes encontrados e criando novas vantagens competitivas, sem esquecer as limitações monetárias da empresa, bem como a concorrência.The present masters’ thesis is a company project with the cooperation of Herdade dos Arrochais, a wine producer in Alentejo, situated in Amareleja (Eastern Alentejo). Although these wines have great potential, they are not very well known amongst consumers. Once the problem was defined, the macroeconomics environment, the sector, the competitors and the consumers were analysed, in order to identify existing opportunities. An internal analysis was also carried out which helped to determine the company’s main shortfalls, and the literature review that allowed to frame the main theoretical concepts which are the bases of this project. Despite the present economic crises, Portuguese people continue to be one of the major wine consumers in the world. However, the problem that arises has to do with the lack of brand awareness. The solution to the problem is a plan for integrated communication, to enhance the value and prestige of the brand, gain new customers, increase the consumer pool and boost sales. The main emphasis was on a communication proposal plan that focused on the creation of a website, but also with the intention of improving distribution. The proposal resulted in the development of ideas and actions, as well as reinforcing the principal strengths of the business, creating new competitive advantages but bearing in mind the monetary limitations of the company and not forgetting about other competitors in the marketplace

Customer habits in a B2B context : impacts on cash flow level and volatility

Hábitos estão presentes em uma grande parte do dia-a-dia das pessoas. À medida que são repetidas ações com resultados satisfatórios em contextos estáveis, as respostas para ações futuras começam a ser ativadas automaticamente na memória de um indivíduo. Com o tempo, as decisões tornam-se menos impulsionadas por objetivos e intenções e, desta forma, um hábito é formado. Medidas empíricas de hábitos baseadas em dados de transações de clientes foram desenvolvidas pela área de marketing e vincularam comportamentos habituais de pessoas na hora da compra e o impacto financeiro nas empresas. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar o impacto de comportamentos habituais no contexto B2B de transações entre fabricantes e varejistas. O responsável por efetuar uma compra em uma empresa pode comparar especificações, preços e avaliar os concorrentes antes de fazer um pedido. No entanto, é praticamente impossível avaliar todos os produtos sempre que for necessária uma compra para reabastecer estoques ou para solicitar um item vendido no catálogo por um vendedor dentro da loja. Portanto, espera-se que com o tempo, uma parte das transações que são realizadas começam a ser conduzidas por comportamentos habituais de alguém envolvido no processo de compra. Esta dissertação propõe medir os hábitos de compra e promoção em um banco de dados de transações e aplicar análises quantitativas para avaliar como os hábitos impactam os níveis de fluxo de caixa e a volatilidade dos mesmos. Uma análise posterior é proposta para comparar como os clientes habituais se relacionam com os clientes mais valiosos da empresa e uma simulação é proposta para analisar o impacto de uma eventual aquisição de clientes. Os resultados mostram que os hábitos mais fortes de compra aumentam os níveis de fluxo de caixa, mas também afetam positivamente a volatilidade do fluxo de caixa. Em contrapartida, os hábitos de promoção, com o passar do tempo, tendem a gerar fluxos de caixa menos voláteis que os hábitos de compra, mas com a desvantagem de diminuir os níveis dos mesmos.Habits are widespread in most of life. As people repeat actions with satisfactory outcomes in stable contexts, responses start to become automatically retrieved in memory. Over time decisions become less driven by goals and intentions, and therefore, a habitual behavior is formed. Empirical measures of habits based on customer transactions data were developed by marketing scholars and have linked habitual behaviors of people when purchasing and their impact on firms’ performance. This dissertation aims to analyze the impact of habitual behaviors in the context of business-to-business transactions with manufacturers and retailers. The responsible for buying in a firm may compare specifications, prices and assess competitors before making a purchase. However, it is unfeasible to evaluate all products every time it is required a purchase to replenish stocks or to order a sold item in a catalog by a sales employee. Therefore, it is expected that over time, a portion of repeat transactions start to be driven by habitual behaviors of someone involved in the process of buying. This dissertation proposes to measure the Purchase and Promotion Habits in a database of transactions and to apply quantitative analyzes to evaluate how habits affect cash flow levels and their volatility. A later analysis is proposed to compare how regular customers relate to the company's most valuable customers and a simulation is proposed to analyze the impact of eventual customer acquisition. The results show that stronger Purchase Habits increase cash flow levels, but also positively affect cash flow volatility. On the other hand, Promotion Habits, over time, tend to generate less volatile cash flows than Purchase Habits, but with the disadvantage of reducing their levels