CFMT: a collaborative filtering approach based on the nonnegative matrix factorization technique and trust relationships

peer reviewedAs a method of information filtering, the Recommender System (RS) has gained considerable popularity because of its efficiency and provision of the most superior numbers of useful items. A recommender system is a proposed solution to the information overload problem in social media and algorithms. Collaborative Filtering (CF) is a practical approach to the recommendation; however, it is characterized by cold start and data sparsity, the most severe barriers against providing accurate recommendations. Rating matrices are finely represented by Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) models, fundamental models in CF-based RSs. However, most NMF methods do not provide reasonable accuracy due to the dispersion of the rating matrix. As a result of the sparsity of data and problems concerning the cold start, information on the trust network among users is further utilized to elevate RS performance. Therefore, this study suggests a novel trust-based matrix factorization technique referred to as CFMT, which uses the social network data in the recommendation process by modeling user’s roles as trustees and trusters, given the trust network’s structural information. The proposed method seeks to lower the sparsity of the data and the cold start problem by integrating information sources including ratings and trust statements into the recommendation model, an attempt by which significant superiority over state-of-the-art approaches is demonstrated an empirical examination of real-world datasets

Examining the factors that influence the voluntary disclosure of information by consumers to commercial organisations

The impetus of this research is to examine how different presentation techniques of data-capturing questionnaires influence the amount of voluntary disclosures of private information by consumers to commercial organisations. The research focused on the interaction of three dimensions that influence voluntary disclosures namely psychological processes, relational depth and instrumental factors, specifically utilising the three concepts deriving from the instrumental factors dimension for the synthesis of the questionnaires. These concepts were comparative nature (Acquisti, John and Lowenstein, 2012) dyadic relationships (Zimmer et al., 2010), and question sequences (Moon, 2000; Acquisti, John and Lowenstein, 2012). This research incorporated a 3x3x3 matrix based on the three respective conditions of the above concepts, thereby generating 27 different conditions -each of which reflected a unique presentation of the questionnaire. A quasi-experimental survey-based design was incorporated for the testing of each of these conditions and their influence towards three areas: i) Overall actual disclosure of information, ii) perceptions of individuals regarding loss of face, loss of privacy and compensation required for full disclosure, iii) perceptions of individuals regarding impersonal trust and subsequent relational depth. This examination was based on the conceptualisation of a three-dimensional framework which incorporated multidisciplinary factors identified by previous literature to have an influence on voluntary disclosure. Additionally, a pre-test study was utilised for identifying reliable measurements of overall actual disclosure while informing the design of the questionnaire based on the question sequence concept. This approach represents the first attempt at examining the synergistic behaviour of concepts that influence the presentation of data-capturing questionnaires; their comparison with the individual employment of each concept in terms of their influence on overall actual disclosure; as well as the examination of how each of these conditions influences the cognitive processes of individuals that lead them to disclosures of private information. This approach was complemented by analyses that sought to confirm the high-level conditions of each concept (H1), while deductively verifying previous claims by other academics and building upon their work (H3). Results provided confirmation of certain synergistic behaviours of concepts that increase overall actual disclosure, while pinpointing specific combinations that lead to abstention from information disclosures. Certain counterintuitive findings were also present and were addressed through a closer examination of previous research and a cross-examination of this Thesis’ hypotheses

Internet banking acceptance model: Cross-market examination

This article proposes a revised technology acceptance model to measure consumers’ acceptance of Internet banking, the Internet Banking Acceptance Model (IBAM). Data was collected from 618 university students in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. The results suggest the importance of attitude, such that attitude and behavioral intentions emerge as a single factor, denoted as “attitudinal intentions” (AI). Structural equation modeling confirms the fit of the model, in which perceived usefulness and trust fully mediate the impact of subjective norms and perceived manageability on AI. The invariance analysis demonstrates the psychometric equivalence of the IBAM measurements between the two country groups. At the structural level, the influence of trust and system usefulness on AI vary between the two countries, emphasizing the potential role of cultures in IS adoption. The IBAM is robust and parsimonious, explaining over 80% of AI

Do companies reduce CSR disclosures during recessions?

Purpose: We investigate trends in prevalence and volume of CSR disclosure by the top 50 New Zealand listed companies from 2005 to 2010, i.e. from before until after the initial impact of the global financial crisis (GFC). Design/methodology/approach: We examine the annual reports of each of the companies between the years 2005 and 2010, as well as company websites for standalone CSR reports. We count the number of pages of any social and environmental disclosures in annual reports and in standalone reports for each year and use this data to assess whether overall trends can be discerned. We compare CSR disclosure trends with changes in business confidence. Findings: Our results reveal a general upward trend in CSR disclosures over the six-year period. The number of companies disclosing in their annual reports and standalone reports increased from 2005 to 2007. However, during the initial drop in business confidence in 2008 (brought on by the GFC), CSR disclosures in annual reports and standalone reports remained consistent overall with 2007. Companies operating within industries more prone to public scrutiny or those industries more sensitive to the social and environmental impacts of corporate operations actually increased their CSR disclosures, whereas other companies decreased their disclosure for an overall constant level. The upward trend resumed in 2009, but when business confidence again suffered in 2010, overall annual report CSR disclosures decreased, whereas overall standalone report disclosure continued the upward trend. In sum, during times of reduced business confidence, companies in non-environmentally-sensitive and non-socially-sensitive industries appear to buck the overall trend towards increased CSR disclosures. Originality: Many studies conclude that there is an upward trend in CSR disclosures over time. Other studies examine the impact of particular events on disclosure. However, we are not aware of any study that examines the impact of the initial phase of the GFC on the overall upward trend in CSR disclosures, i.e. whether companies subjugate CSR in favour of more pressing business priorities during times of reduced business confidence

Promissory Estoppel and the Protection of Interpersonal Trust

This paper examines the role of trust in promissory estoppel and the extent to which the law should protect trust when a promise is made. Part II of this Article summarizes some of the scholarship discussing the nature and role of trust. In particular, it discusses the role of trust in a market economy, and the related role of trust in Contracts law. Part III examines whether there is a difference between trust and reliance, and whether it matters. Part III further asserts that a separate discussion of trust is beneficial because it has the potential to guide and inform internal decision-making in a way that is not possible by simply focusing on outward reliance. Part IV of this Article discusses the role of trust in the doctrine of promissory estoppel. Part V sets forth why the law should promote an optimal level of trust, as opposed to a maximum protection of trust no matter what. It discusses the need for promisees to exercise self-reliance and self-protection in order to avoid overreliance. Part VI identifies the types of cases where trust should be protected. Such cases include ones where the promisee is engaged in a transaction that she cannot avoid, where she has no control over the structure of the transaction, and where she has no choice but to trust the promisor (or more accurately, trust the legal system to enforce the promise). Part VII presents the polar end of the spectrum where trust should not be protected. Part VIII concludes the Article

Critical review of the e-loyalty literature: a purchase-centred framework

Over the last few years, the concept of online loyalty has been examined extensively in the literature, and it remains a topic of constant inquiry for both academics and marketing managers. The tremendous development of the Internet for both marketing and e-commerce settings, in conjunction with the growing desire of consumers to purchase online, has promoted two main outcomes: (a) increasing numbers of Business-to-Customer companies running businesses online and (b) the development of a variety of different e-loyalty research models. However, current research lacks a systematic review of the literature that provides a general conceptual framework on e-loyalty, which would help managers to understand their customers better, to take advantage of industry-related factors, and to improve their service quality. The present study is an attempt to critically synthesize results from multiple empirical studies on e-loyalty. Our findings illustrate that 62 instruments for measuring e-loyalty are currently in use, influenced predominantly by Zeithaml et al. (J Marketing. 1996;60(2):31-46) and Oliver (1997; Satisfaction: a behavioral perspective on the consumer. New York: McGraw Hill). Additionally, we propose a new general conceptual framework, which leads to antecedents dividing e-loyalty on the basis of the action of purchase into pre-purchase, during-purchase and after-purchase factors. To conclude, a number of managerial implementations are suggested in order to help marketing managers increase their customers’ e-loyalty by making crucial changes in each purchase stage