Professional social networking sites (SNS) are widely employed by business individuals to build formal relationships, career opportunities, and professional development. While the…
Abstract
Professional social networking sites (SNS) are widely employed by business individuals to build formal relationships, career opportunities, and professional development. While the characteristics of professional SNS are generally different from other SNS, there is limited understanding of the determinants of users’ continued usage on this platform. The study addresses this research gap by developing a conceptual framework that relates perceived values perspective (utilitarian value, hedonic value) and sociability dimensions (social presence, social benefit, social support, and self-presentation) to continuance intention to use professional SNS. Data were gathered from a questionnaire distributed on LinkedIn and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The findings contribute to the emerging literature on the IS continuance domain, particularly in the area of professional SNS. Furthermore, the study can help professional SNS providers properly manage to retain existing users for sustainable business performance.
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Thanh Tiep Le, Bich Nguyen Ngoc, Khanh Tran Ho Phuong, My Luong Hoang, Ngan Phan Kim and Ly Le Thi Cam
This research aims to investigate the relationships between organizational learning (OL), corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate financial performance (CFP) and…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to investigate the relationships between organizational learning (OL), corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate financial performance (CFP) and sustainable corporate performance (SCP) within the context of food-manufacturing family enterprises in Vietnam. Specifically, the study strengthens the combination of these three factors that collectively contribute to enhancing SCP. Furthermore, the research explores the role of service quality (SQ) and green brand innovativeness (GBI) as strategic levers for achieving a competitive edge in SCP within family enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was used the quantitative method to evaluate the influence of CSR, OL, CFP, SQ and GBI on the SCP of family enterprises. The study sample comprised 456 responses from top and middle management of organizations and used the smart partial least squares SEM (version 3.3.2) to analyze the data in the year 2024.
Findings
The study provides significant positive relationships between OL, CSR and CFP in contributing to enhancing SCP within family enterprises. Results suggest that firms with strong OL, CSR and CFP collectively could improve SCP. Furthermore, SQ and GBI emerged as integral factors in differentiating family enterprises in terms of SCP. While SQ plays a significant role in building customer loyalty and trust, GBI is crucial for positioning family enterprises as a sustainable one in the market. Thus, this study contributes to the existing academic knowledge by providing insights into how family enterprises can effectively balance economic, social and environmental objectives for long-term sustainability.
Originality/value
While previous studies have explored these factors independently, this study offers a novel perspective by examining their performances correlatively. The outcomes of this study provide valuable guidance for family enterprises’ managers, CEOs and business leaders to make strategic sustainability plans and create competitive edge when it comes to SCP.
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Zhenghao Tong, Soyeong Lee and Hongjoo Woo
This study aims to examine the effects of perceived product–brand fit and brand type on consumer evaluations of wearable smart masks’ technological, aesthetic and social…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of perceived product–brand fit and brand type on consumer evaluations of wearable smart masks’ technological, aesthetic and social attributes and how these affect consumers’ attitudes and intentions to use.
Design/methodology/approach
Through an experimental approach, a total of 240 US consumers’ evaluations of smart masks are compared according to perceived product–brand fit (high vs low) and brand type (electronics vs fashion).
Findings
The results showed that high perceived product–brand fit increases consumers’ evaluations, while brand type did not significantly affect consumers’ evaluations. Among various attributes, social acceptability had the greatest influence on consumers’ attitude and intention to use. Perceived ease of use, however, positively influenced attitude but negatively influenced intention to use.
Originality/value
As consumers’ interest in smart health-care wearables increases and air pollution is a serious issue across countries, research on wearable smart masks is being facilitated. Smart masks refer to the digitalized, reusable wearable masks that provide protection and health-care functions. However, their market penetration is still limited. To close this gap between smart mask technology and the market, this study examines how perceived fit and brand type can be used to enhance consumer evaluations.
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Heesup Han, Sung In Kim, Jin-Soo Lee and Inyoung Jung
This study aims to discover factors and configurations that influence customers’ acceptance behaviors to investigate the current hospitality industry using service robots.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to discover factors and configurations that influence customers’ acceptance behaviors to investigate the current hospitality industry using service robots.
Design/methodology/approach
A mix of symmetrical and asymmetrical modeling methods was used for the data analysis. The symmetrical modeling was used to find the net effects, whereas asymmetrical modeling was adopted to find the combined configurations for hotel guests’ robot service acceptance behaviors.
Findings
The results revealed the significant effect of innovativeness, willingness to be a lighthouse customer, personal norms and concern about service robot performance on acceptance behaviors. In addition, the complex solution models using characteristics of tech-forward consumers, norms and attitude and uncertainty and concern were found.
Practical implications
The study shows directions to hotel marketers, to help them make customers adopt service robots.
Originality/value
The study explored customer service robot acceptance behaviors based on comprehensive theoretical backgrounds, including the technology acceptance model, theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and service robot acceptance model.
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Shiva Sadat Mostafavi and Alexis Mavrommatis
This paper aims to offer an integrated framework for branded apps (BAs) that highlights research gaps and points to areas for future research.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to offer an integrated framework for branded apps (BAs) that highlights research gaps and points to areas for future research.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a systematic literature review approach, the authors analyzed more than 100 articles published between 2009 and the present. This research used databases such as SCOPUS, Web of Science, EBSCO and Elsevier’s Science Direct, with a particular focus on articles listed in the 2021 ABS index. The reviewed papers were coded and organized into four categories in terms of themes and concepts: antecedents, mechanisms, outcomes and moderators.
Findings
The study identified four types of antecedents (app benefits, personal traits, brand benefits and others) that influence outcomes via cognitive, affective and a mix of both mechanisms, which is termed multipaths. The authors classified outcomes into five areas (financial gains; app benefits; brand benefits; customer benefits; and others). Moderators were grouped into four types (customer individuality; app features; brand characteristics; and others). The authors concluded by recommending promising directions for future research. Specifically, the authors suggested an inverted U-shaped relationship between escapism and customer responses to BAs.
Originality/value
This paper focused exclusively on BAs, differentiating them from other mobile apps. The authors integrated nearly 100+ studies conducted over two decades. This integrated model serves as a guiding tool for understanding the past, present and future of BAs.
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Paulo Duarte, Susana Silva and Maria Joana Carvalho
This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing men’s purchase intentions for skincare products, particularly focusing on the evolving attitudes toward masculinity…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the factors influencing men’s purchase intentions for skincare products, particularly focusing on the evolving attitudes toward masculinity, grooming and self-care. The study seeks to identify dimensions such as self-image, health concerns, masculinity and perceptions regarding skincare, along with the impact of social media use on men’s skincare purchase intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
The research uses an online questionnaire to gather data from 178 valid responses. The collected data is analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results reveal that men’s skin health concerns significantly impact their purchase intention for skincare products. Self-image concerns and perceptions regarding skincare also emerge as influential determinants in shaping men’s purchasing decisions. Conversely, health concerns and social media platform use do not directly influence skincare purchase intention. Notably, self-image completely mediates the relationship between men’s social media usage and their intention to purchase skincare products.
Research limitations/implications
The data is based on responses from an online questionnaire, which may introduce biases. In addition, the research focuses on specific personal variables and social media use, potentially overlooking other influential factors.
Practical implications
By recognizing the importance of men’s skin health concerns, self-image and perceptions regarding skincare, cosmetic companies can tailor marketing strategies to effectively target key dimensions to enhance sales of skincare products among men.
Social implications
In a broader societal context, this research contributes to the ongoing evolution of attitudes. By identifying influential factors in men’s skincare purchase intention, the study sheds light on changing societal norms and perceptions. Acknowledging these shifts can lead to a more inclusive understanding of masculinity and contribute to breaking traditional stereotypes related to men’s grooming practices.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the understanding of men’s skincare purchase intention by exploring dimensions such as self-image, health concerns, masculinity and perceptions regarding skincare, in conjunction with the impact of social media use. The findings provide valuable insights, expanding on previous studies on men’s attitudes toward skincare products. The identification of self-image as a complete mediator is a novel contribution.
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Shih-I Tai, Tzu-Ling Huang, Hsin-Yi Huang, Chieh-Ni Wu, T.C.E. Cheng and Ching-I Teng
Online games are highly popular Internet applications. Some games enable players to save game progress and accumulate experiences or changes to avatars during gameplay, whereas…
Abstract
Purpose
Online games are highly popular Internet applications. Some games enable players to save game progress and accumulate experiences or changes to avatars during gameplay, whereas some other games do not, requiring players to restart from the beginning each time. That is, games differ in avatar accumulability. However, we do not know whether games should be designed to permit avatar accumulability or not and how it affects players’ gameplay experience and therefore game outcomes, indicating gaps. Research addressing these gaps can inform game makers in designing games that effectively strengthen their players’ game loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
We used social identity theory (SIT) to construct a theoretical model. To test this model, three waves of survey data were gathered from the same 778 participants.
Findings
These findings uniquely indicate that avatar accumulability fosters avatar identification and increases players’ focused immersion, thus increasing players’ loyalty.
Practical implications
Game providers could include game features that enable players to accumulate their avatars’ in-game skins, levels, items (weapons and equipment) and experience points. This accumulability can help strengthen players’ game loyalty.
Originality/value
Overall, our study extends SIT by adding a new trigger (avatar accumulability) and two novel consequences of avatar identification (image protection and focused immersion) in avatar-related systems (games or gamified systems). The new trigger offers an actionable means to apply SIT, while the novel consequences verify the value of applying SIT to study online games.
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It is widely acknowledged that the ability of a firm to develop and exploit their innovative capabilities is a critical determinant that maintains their competitive advantage. The…
Abstract
Purpose
It is widely acknowledged that the ability of a firm to develop and exploit their innovative capabilities is a critical determinant that maintains their competitive advantage. The purpose is to evaluate the research and development (R&D) inputs and outcomes on the performance of firms in different stages.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on a sample of 30 firms over 8 years (2009–2016), the results from a three-stage Bayesian stochastic frontier analysis model support were used.
Findings
Some interesting findings were discovered. First, the R&D intensity is positively associated with the number of patents granted, which is negatively associated with the number of new drug approvals (NDAs). Second, R&D inputs, including expenditures and human resources, are negatively related to the number of NDAs and firm performance. Third, state-owned firms perform better and have more patents granted than private-owned firms in China. Finally, the traditional Chinese medicine firms and non-coastal firms both gain fewer profits, but they generate more new drugs than chemical drug firms and coastal firms in terms of policy support.
Originality/value
It is revealed that there are no common factors among Chinese pharmaceutical firms except for ownership, and this heterogeneous behavior indicates that there is no common factor for enhancing the efficiency of all Chinese pharmaceutical firms.
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This study aims to explore the impact mechanism of social support on individual health knowledge creation among users in online patient communities, guide and promote the creation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the impact mechanism of social support on individual health knowledge creation among users in online patient communities, guide and promote the creation of health knowledge and provide insights into managing online patient communities.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model was constructed by integrating social impact and social support theories. Data were collected through questionnaires, and 750 valid responses were analysed using a structural equation model.
Findings
This study found the following. (1) Social support influences individual health knowledge creation through the mediating effects of creative self-efficacy and positive emotions. (2) The general rule of the strength of the influencing factors on individual health knowledge creation is that creative self-efficacy > positive emotions. (3) The general pattern of the mediating effect of attitude factors between social support and health knowledge creation is that creative self-efficacy > positive emotions. (4) The key path for social support to influence individual health knowledge creation is “social support → creative self-efficacy → health knowledge creation”. (5) The dimensions of social support in online patient communities can be divided into information, emotional, respect and network support. Individual health knowledge creation can be divided into health knowledge externalisation, combination, socialisation and internalisation.
Originality/value
This study expands the application scope of social influence theory and opens up the “black box” of the impact of social support on individual health knowledge creation behaviour. Simultaneously, the dimensions of social support, individual health knowledge creation and the mediating role between social support and health knowledge creation are discussed.
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Priyanka Garg, Yakshi Garg, Sumanjeet Singh, Pankaj Chamola, Vimal Kumar, Rohit Raj, Amit Kumar and Minakshi Paliwal
Conscious consumers have been influenced to either cut back on their fashion consumption or switch to ethical clothing (EC) as a result of the detrimental social effects of fast…
Abstract
Purpose
Conscious consumers have been influenced to either cut back on their fashion consumption or switch to ethical clothing (EC) as a result of the detrimental social effects of fast fashion that have been seen over the past 10 years. It also reflects how the ethical belief of the young generation influences them to be conscious of the ill effects of their fashion choices or behave like an ignorant irresponsible buyer. This study aims to examine this issue in detail to find out the prevalence and impact of such beliefs on consumption choices over a period of time.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses the cross-sectional data of 525 respondents from India to explore and unearth the EC phenomenon in emerging markets. It follows a two-step approach consisting of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling to examine the proposed hypotheses using AMOS 22 software.
Findings
It was found that consumers in developing economies are concerned about the ethical standards followed by the fashion industry (FI), which is reflected in the form of inhuman working conditions for FI workers.
Research limitations/implications
This study emphasizes understanding attitude, subjective norms, behavioral control and EC related to ethical buying behavior and their interaction mechanisms that transform it into the actual buying intention of EC.
Originality/value
It was an eye-opener that collective societal culture and standards do not influence ethical purchase decisions but it is rather the individual’s own ethical rules which is a result of established core family values that significantly shape fashion consumption. This study advances existing literature by empirically verifying the relationship between consumer attitude, consumers’ subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, environmental concern with ethical buying behavior and ethical purchase intention. It could provide insightful information and support academic research as well as real-world marketing and environmental initiatives.