Yiran Wang, Zhongjun Tang, Wanqiu Wang, Dongyuan Zhao, Duokui He and Yingtong Lu
Virtual idols have entered the golden period as the main form of future digital people. However, existing studies only focus on a single idol type and partial role relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
Virtual idols have entered the golden period as the main form of future digital people. However, existing studies only focus on a single idol type and partial role relationships related to virtual idols, lacking synthesized insights. To address these gaps, this paper summarizes different types of virtual idols and all role relationships to achieve a comprehensive literature review.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the business ecosystem theory, this paper constructs a business role ecosystem framework for virtual idols from the two subsystems of value co-creation and value realization.
Findings
Firstly, we extract common characteristics and the generalized definition applicable to diverse idol types. Secondly, we find that there are commonalities and differences in the significant characteristics of virtual idols in different application fields. Thirdly, literature in the value co-creation subsystem mainly focuses on co-creation mechanisms in the role relationship between idols and demanders (RRID). A few focus on virtual idols’ constructions in the role relationship between producers and idols (RRPI) and co-creation phenomena in the role relationship between demanders and producers (RRDP). Finally, literature in the value realization subsystem mainly focuses on consumer attitudes and realization mechanisms in RRID. A few focus on realization phenomena in the role relationship between producers and tripartite enterprises (RRPT) and RRPI.
Practical implications
This paper points out future implementing directions of industry practitioners, gives strategies to promote economic value realizations and emphasizes the importance of cultural communication.
Originality/value
This paper discusses the existing theoretical gaps and possible future research directions regarding characteristics, applications and role relationships.
Details
Keywords
Dongyuan Zhao, Zhongjun Tang and Fengxia Sun
This paper investigates the semantic association mechanisms of weak demand signals that facilitate innovative product development in terms of conceptual and temporal precedence…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the semantic association mechanisms of weak demand signals that facilitate innovative product development in terms of conceptual and temporal precedence, despite their inherent ambiguity and uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
To address this challenge, a domain ontology approach is proposed to construct a customer demand scenario-based framework that eliminates the blind spots in weak demand signal identification. The framework provides a basis for identifying such signals and introduces evaluation indices, such as depth, novelty and association, which are integrated to propose a three-dimensional weak signal recognition model based on domain ontology that outperforms existing research.
Findings
Empirical analysis is carried out based on customer comments of new energy vehicles on car platform such as “Auto Home” and “Bitauto”. Results demonstrate that in terms of recognition quantity, the three-dimensional weak demand signal recognition model, based on domain ontology, can accurately identify six demand weak signals. Conversely, the keyword analysis method exhibits a recognition quantity of four weak signals; in terms of recognition quality, the three-dimensional weak demand signal recognition model based on domain ontology can exclude non-demand signals such as “charging technology”, while keyword analysis methods cannot. Overall, the model proposed in this paper has higher sensitivity.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a novel method for identifying weak demand signals that considers the frequency of the signal's novelty, depth and relevance to the target demand. To verify its effectiveness, customer review data for new energy vehicles is used. The results provide a theoretical reference for formulating government policies and identifying weak demand signals for businesses.
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Dongyuan Zhao, Zhongjun Tang and Duokui He
With the intensification of market competition, there is a growing demand for weak signal identification and evolutionary analysis for enterprise foresight. For decades, many…
Abstract
Purpose
With the intensification of market competition, there is a growing demand for weak signal identification and evolutionary analysis for enterprise foresight. For decades, many scholars have conducted relevant research. However, the existing research only cuts in from a single angle and lacks a systematic and comprehensive overview. In this paper, the authors summarize the articles related to weak signal recognition and evolutionary analysis, in an attempt to make contributions to relevant research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors develop a systematic overview framework based on the most classical three-dimensional space model of weak signals. Framework comprehensively summarizes the current research insights and knowledge from three dimensions of research field, identification methods and interpretation methods.
Findings
The research results show that it is necessary to improve the automation level in the process of weak signal recognition and analysis and transfer valuable human resources to the decision-making stage. In addition, it is necessary to coordinate multiple types of data sources, expand research subfields and optimize weak signal recognition and interpretation methods, with a view to expanding weak signal future research, making theoretical and practical contributions to enterprise foresight, and providing reference for the government to establish weak signal technology monitoring, evaluation and early warning mechanisms.
Originality/value
The authors develop a systematic overview framework based on the most classical three-dimensional space model of weak signals. It comprehensively summarizes the current research insights and knowledge from three dimensions of research field, identification methods and interpretation methods.
Details
Keywords
Chunyu Jiang and Seuk Wai Phoong
This study investigated the travel intentions (TIs) of Chinese travelers and their utilization of virtual tourism technology during the Zero COVID-19 policy period by using a…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigated the travel intentions (TIs) of Chinese travelers and their utilization of virtual tourism technology during the Zero COVID-19 policy period by using a stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model. The study specifically examines the interplay between knowledge of policy, perception of risk, TI, usage of virtual tourism technology (UVTT) and the mediating role of personal values.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected from 333 Chinese travelers through an online questionnaire, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The study suggests that knowledge of policy and risk perception increase changes in personal values (PVs), which, in turn, affect Chinese travelers' TIs and the UVTT, with PVs playing a mediating role. Risk perception has a positive effect on the UVTT.
Practical implications
This study highlights the positive impact of tourism policy knowledge and risk awareness on individual values as a stimulus. Stakeholders need to implement industry-specific policies that are in line with scientific developments. Tourism managers should prioritize understanding the psychological reactions of tourists in crises and provide support to mitigate negative emotions. Anticipating changes in PVs is crucial, as instability affects tourists' behavior. The findings of the study also provide valuable insights for technology designers and underscore the substitutability of virtual technologies in improving the tourism experience.
Originality/value
This study is the first to examine the mediating role of PVs in the relationship between knowledge of policy, tourism risk perception (TRP), TI and the UVTT based on the SOR model. The insights gained from this analysis can assist policymakers and tourism managers in understanding the psychological changes of tourists, thereby facilitating the development of appropriate tourism planning.