QR codes on packaging : a technology acceptance model approach comparing informative and entertaining content

Nowadays the increase of smartphone usage by consumers has led marketers to design new forms of mobile marketing in order to better connect with them. Among latest marketing trends smart packaging is emerging as one of the most sought after by brands; in particular, the incorporation of QR Code on packaging, is the most widespread form. There are many studies aimed at understanding consumers’ behavior towards QR Code, but previous researches lack in determining which are the specific drivers related to QR Code applied to packaging. The present dissertation wants discuss what a QR Code is and which are its applications, together with exploring the challenges and opportunities faced by QR Codes on packaging. The original Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology, 1989) and its later adaptation (Davis, Bagozzi, & Washaw, Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation to Use Computers in the Workplace’, 1992) were used in order to build the conceptual framework which includes Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Enjoyment as the independent variables and Intention to Use as the dependent variable. Results reveal that all the independent variables have a positive influence on consumers’ Intention to Use QR Codes on packaging, where Perceived Enjoyment has the strongest impact. Finally, the non-parametric equivalent of the T-test, the Mann- Whitney U Test, revealed a statistically significant difference in the usage intention of those respondents that saw the entertaining QR Code and those that saw the informative QR Code, suggesting that a QR Code on packaging which directs consumers to an entertaining content leads to increased level of usage intention. Given the results obtained, this study also discusses possible managerial implications taking into consideration the limitations that affect the entire study.Hoje em dia, o aumento da utilização de smartphones pelos consumidores levou os comerciantes a conceber novas formas de marketing móvel, a fim de melhor se conectarem com eles. Uma das últimas tendências é a incorporação de um QR Code na embalagem do produto, o que é considerado como uma forma de embalagem inteligente. Há muitos estudos que têm em vista perceber o comportamento dos consumidores em relação ao QR Code, mas faltam ainda pesquisas anteriores para determinar quais os principais causadores de um tipo específico de QR Code: o aplicado à embalagem. A presente dissertação pretende discutir o que é um QR Code e quais são suas aplicações, juntamente com a exploração dos desafios e oportunidades enfrentados pelos QR Codes em embalagens. O modelo original de Aceitação de Tecnologia (Davis, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology, 1989) e sua posterior adaptação (Davis, Bagozzi, & Washaw, Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation to Use Computers in the Workplace', 1992) foram usados para construir a estrutura conceitual que inclui Perceived Ease of Use (facilidade de uso), Perceived Usefulness (utilidade) e Perceived Enjoyment (nível de divertimento) como as variáveis independentes e Intention of Use (intenção de uso) como a variável dependente. Os resultados revelam que todas as variáveis independentes têm uma influência positiva na intenção de usar Códigos QR na embalagem, onde a variável com maior impacto é o nível de divertimento. Finalmente, o equivalente não paramétrico do teste T, o teste Mann-Whitney U Test, revelou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa na intenção de uso dos entrevistados que viram o divertido QR Code e daqueles que viram o informativo QR Code, sugerindo que um QR Code na embalagem que direciona os consumidores para um conteúdo divertido leva ao aumento do nível de intenção de uso. Tendo em conta os resultados obtidos e todas as suas limitações, este estudo também aborda possíveis implicações para os gestores

A Model of Banknote Discounts

Prior to 1863, state-chartered banks in the United States issued notes—dollar-denominated promises to pay specie to the bearer on demand. Although these notes circulated at par locally, they usually were quoted at a discount outside the local area. These discounts varied by both the location of the bank and the location where the discount was being quoted. Further, these discounts were asymmetric across locations, meaning that the discounts quoted in location A on the notes of banks in location B generally differed from the discounts quoted in location B on the notes of banks in location A. Also, discounts generally increased when banks suspended payments on their notes. In this paper we construct a random matching model to qualitatively match these facts about banknote discounts. To attempt to account for locational differences, the model has agents that come from two distinct locations. Each location also has bankers that can issue notes. Banknotes are accepted in exchange because banks are required to produce when a banknote is presented for redemption and their past actions are public information. Overall, the model delivers predictions consistent with the behavior of discounts

Can the Rorschach be administered remotely? A review of options and a pilot study using a newly developed R-PAS App

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has required psychologists to adopt measures like physical distancing and mask wearing, though other safety procedures such as travel restrictions or prohibitions on in-person practice and research have fostered the use of tele-health tools. In this article, we review options for using the Rorschach task via videoconference and provide preliminary data from using a new electronic app for remote R-PAS administration to determine whether the remote administration in an electronic form yields different information than in-person administration with the cards in hand. As a pilot study, our focus is on the “first factor” of all Rorschach scores, i.e., complexity. Data were collected from 60 adult Italian community volunteers, and statistical analyses evaluated the extent to which the average complexity score significantly departed from R-PAS normative expectations (SS = 100), accompanied by Bayesian likelihoods for supporting the null hypothesis. Results suggest that the general level of complexity shown by the test-takers when administered the Rorschach remotely with the new R-PAS app closely resembles that previously observed using “standard” in-person procedures. Tentative analyses of other R-PAS scores suggested normative departures that could be due to the effects of the app, testing at home, or responses to the pandemic. We offer recommendations for future research and discuss practical implications