Perceived congruence and online loyalty as segmentation variables in multichannel retailing: a comparison between appparel and electronics

As the interest of the literature on congruity between offline and online stores is relatively recent, empirical evidence is required to help marketing managers choose the most effective ways of contributing to the formation of consistent offerings as well as their contribution to generate customer loyalty. This study examines whether congruity can help to identify segments of heterogeneous consumers that differ significantly regarding these variables as well as other constructs related to the customer relationship with the retailer. The study attempts to identify which congruity attribute(s) are most relevant for differentiating customers by their loyalty towards the online store, so that retailers can design strategies for improving congruity between physical and online stores, and ultimately, increase online store loyalty

Model and management indicators in industrial omnichannel (B2B)

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven increases in the provision of services through digital channels, even by more traditional companies. An Omnichannel model of service provision poses new management challenges for companies. This research reviews the literature on Omnichannel Management by companies whose clients are other companies (B2B) and classifies the different areas of research to date. The principal finding is that, despite considerable academic interest in Omnichannel management, there have been few studies of Omnichannel in the B2B field. This emphasizes a significant research gap to address. We have also outlined the Research Agenda to highlight future lines of research

Online Auctions and Multichannel Retailing

The Internet enables sellers to offer products through multiple channels simultaneously. In particular, many sellers utilize online auctions in parallel to other online and offline channels. Using an analytical model and data from eBay Motors, we study seller behavior and auction outcomes in the context of multichannel retailing. Our model shows that seller characteristics which affect the distribution and volume of offers in the non-auction channels impact the probability an auction ends in a sale, the probability an item is sold through the auction channel, and the sale price in case of a sale. The impact on the two probabilities can be negative or positive and depends on whether the seller manages the channels jointly or separately. Our empirical analysis examines how the quality of the seller’s retail location and her electronic commerce capabilities (i.e., two seller characteristics influencing demand in non-auction channels) impact the auction channel outcomes. The results confirm the joint channel management strategy considered in the analytical model.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/92349/1/1176_Etzion.pd

Identifying patterns in channel usage across the search, purchase and post-sales stages of shopping

Consumers today are using various channels to complete their purchase process. As shoppers pursue different goals at each stage of the process, channel choice may be explained by different drivers for search, purchase and post-sales activities. Our research framework is based on an extension of the TAM Model with the support of the Motivational Model, differentiating two types of motivations for channel usage: intrinsic and extrinsic. Moreover, we rely on transaction costs economics to explain different channel usage at each shopping stages and for different product categories. Lineal regression and cluster analysis are applied to data collected through a survey answered by 1,533 multichannel retail shoppers within two product categories (apparel and consumer electronics) in two countries (UK and Spain). Our findings show that segments with different usage patterns and motivations can be identified across the shopping process and that the drivers of channel usage are different depending on the stage of the buying process and the product category considered

Omni-channel Services Failure and Recovery: A Case Study Research

This study investigates the way service providers are employing their channels to support the handling of customer complaints, using a qualitative case study research approach in a Portuguese private bank. It characterizes the omni-channel recovery practices and discusses its implications for customer satisfaction. The results suggest that the degree of customers ́(dis)satisfaction is not directly linked to the nature nor the severity of the existing failure, but rather with the service recovery process. This area represents a key research opportunity regarding the customer complaint in the contemporary service industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

To immerse or not? Experimenting with two virtual retail environments

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the determinants of users’ simulated experience in a virtual store and to show the subsequent impact of that experience on engagement. The outcome of that engagement is examined in relation to enjoyment, satisfaction and purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach: The method comprised an experiment comparing users’ perceptions of a standard 2D online clothing store with an enhanced, immersive one that aimed to provide shopping value approaching that of a traditional store by using a 3D experience where participants wore special glasses and a data glove. Findings: Results demonstrate the major role of telepresence components in simulated experience and the critical role of that experience, along with hedonic and utilitarian values, in engagement. Purchase intention is influenced by satisfaction, which is in turn influenced by enjoyment and engagement. Engagement in turn is influenced by utilitarian and hedonic value and the experience of product simulation or telepresence, which is composed of control, colour and graphics vividness, and 3D authenticity. In the immersive, 3D environment experience is more associated with engagement and enjoyment, leading to greater purchase intention. The immersive, 3D environment thus has the potential to rival traditional shopping in terms of experience, resulting in higher sales for retailers and satisfaction for consumers. Originality: This work has evaluated a robust model of purchase intention and demonstrated it to hold not only in a 3D environment on a conventional computer platform, but also in an immersive one, where participants wear special glasses and a data glove

Emergent Digital Strategies and Networks: Advancements to Service Management Research

The purpose of this research is to report and explore new channel strategies, which allow delivering services through new digital technologies. Therefore, we have conducted an in-depth qualitative case study to generate comprehensiveness and rich knowledge. The case focused on a Private bank in Portugal and counted with several sources of data collection, gathering 42 semi-structured interviews, more than 80 direct observations and more than 3,600 internal documents, for triangulation and corroboration purposes. The results suggest that organizational synergies are changing the business landscape by encompassing triadic elements channels-services-firms. While some organizations are implementing this strategy around the world, we found that it provides greater channel freedom of choice to customers when compared with the previous strategies. Thus, our findings identify a set of potential advantages, as well as risks of adopting digital business networks as a strategy. This article also studies technologydriven solutions in business networks, as customers are becoming active co-producers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

To immerse or not? Experimenting with two virtual retail environments

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to examine the determinants of users’ simulated experience in a virtual store and to show the subsequent impact of that experience on engagement. The outcome of that engagement is examined in relation to enjoyment, satisfaction and purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach: The method comprised an experiment comparing users’ perceptions of a standard 2D online clothing store with an enhanced, immersive one that aimed to provide shopping value approaching that of a traditional store by using a 3D experience where participants wore special glasses and a data glove. Findings: Results demonstrate the major role of telepresence components in simulated experience and the critical role of that experience, along with hedonic and utilitarian values, in engagement. Purchase intention is influenced by satisfaction, which is in turn influenced by enjoyment and engagement. Engagement in turn is influenced by utilitarian and hedonic value and the experience of product simulation or telepresence, which is composed of control, colour and graphics vividness, and 3D authenticity. In the immersive, 3D environment experience is more associated with engagement and enjoyment, leading to greater purchase intention. The immersive, 3D environment thus has the potential to rival traditional shopping in terms of experience, resulting in higher sales for retailers and satisfaction for consumers. Originality: This work has evaluated a robust model of purchase intention and demonstrated it to hold not only in a 3D environment on a conventional computer platform, but also in an immersive one, where participants wear special glasses and a data glove

Shaping customer engagement, repurchase intention and positive word-of-month in omnichannel retailing context

A seamless experience across different channels is a present challenge for all brands. Omnichannel is shaping customers' needs and expectations, brands must evolve their efforts to engage and empower their customers across several channels. The aim of this dissertation is to provide insights on how customer engagement and its outcomes, repurchase intention and positive word-of-mouth, change in an omnichannel environment. Thus, a research model was drawn and tested based on social exchange theory to explain customer engagement in an omnichannel environment. Two studies were conducted to better understand the proposed model: the first study with a secondary data approach provided insights on the market the study was conducted in: the skin care market in Portugal. Study number two used primary data to test the proposed model and its hypotheses through partial least square analysis. The findings of the study show that customer channel familiarity and channel integration quality are, indeed, related to customer engagement and its outcomes. However, customer empowerment was not found significant as a mediating effect between customer channel familiarity and customer engagement. This is mainly related to offline channels not being fully owned by skin care brands, which difficult their empowering effect towards customers. Nevertheless, customer empowerment is a mediating effect of channel integration quality and customer engagement. A consistent integration of channels makes customers feel more empowered, and, consequently, more engaged leading customers to repurchase brands’ products and sharing positive comments about the brand with others.O omnicanal está a moldar os consumidores e as marcas têm de atuar no sentido de capacitar e envolver os consumidores através de vários canais. O objetivo desta dissertação é fornecer informação sobre como o "engagement" do cliente, a intenção de recompra e o passa-palavra positivo, mudam num ambiente de omnicanal. Assim, foi desenhado e testado um modelo baseado na teoria de troca social para explicar o envolvimento do consumidor num ambiente de omnicanal. Foram realizados dois estudos para compreender o modelo proposto: o primeiro estudo proporcionou uma visão do mercado no qual o estudo foi realizado: o mercado de cuidados da pele em Portugal. O segundo estudo testou o modelo e hipóteses propostas pela análise de parciais dos mínimos quadrados. Os resultados do estudo demonstram que a familiaridade com o canal do cliente e a qualidade da integração de canal estão correlacionados com o "engagement" do cliente e os seus resultados. No entanto, a capacitação do consumidor não se revelou significativo como um efeito mediador entre a familiaridade e o "engagement" do cliente. Tal sucede, nomeadamente, devido às lojas físicas não serem totalmente propriedade de nenhuma marca de cuidados de pele, o que dificulta o seu envolvimento no capacitação do cliente. No entanto, a capacitação do consumidor é um efeito mediador da qualidade da integração dos canais e do "engagement" do cliente. Uma integração consistente faz com que os clientes se sintam mais capacitados o que se revela intenção de recompra e passa-palavra positivo