Christopher J. Parker and Lu Wenyu
The purpose of this paper is to establish the influence of shopping motivations on Chinese fashion retail engagement relative to demographics, monthly spend on fashion items and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish the influence of shopping motivations on Chinese fashion retail engagement relative to demographics, monthly spend on fashion items and high street/electronic commerce (e-commerce) preference. This is to determine how international fashion retailers should design more effective retails channels, expanding upon established theory in Hedonic and utilitarian motivations. While earlier research suggests shopping motivations associate with demographics while influencing retail channel preference and consumer spending, much of this exploration is Western focused, with all variables being influential. However, the degree to which these apply to China, and the unique fingerprint of influential motivations remains unknown. This paper answers these questions to allow international retailers to develop more efficient marketing strategies and design more effective retail channels.
Design/methodology/approach
In all, 403 Chinese consumers generalisable to the broader population were surveyed on their hedonic and utilitarian motivations to shop for fashion apparel in high street and e-commerce environments. Statistical analysis was commenced through direct logistic regression and MANOVA.
Findings
Demographics have limited association with shopping motivations, with gender and age only producing small effect sizes, while occupation, income and education has no significance. High street store preference is influenced by adventure and social shopping and e-commerce preference only by idea shopping. Spending over ¥1k per month on fashion apparel is influenced by gratification and idea shopping, and regular spending habits inspired by value shopping.
Originality/value
This empirical paper characterises the fingerprint of shopping motivations’ influence as singular to China while proving their limitation and need for a wider plethora of influential factors to be recognised.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersection of building material reuse and heritage value, and raises questions about how “preservation” has traditionally been…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the intersection of building material reuse and heritage value, and raises questions about how “preservation” has traditionally been defined and conceptualized. With a grounding in the realities of global climate change, the paper argues for further research on the topic and for the active engagement of the preservation field in reuse efforts.
Design/methodology/approach
After a review of existing literature, this study takes a descriptive and conceptual approach to explore the heritage values generated through material reuse.
Findings
This paper finds that processes of material reuse are richly embedded with heritage value and offer a conceptual challenge to established modes of heritage practice.
Practical implications
The findings of this paper suggest that heritage practitioners should actively engage with material reuse efforts to better understand the heritage values generated from such processes. Areas of future research and collaboration are identified.
Originality/value
Despite their intrinsic interaction with aged and existing infrastructure, there has been limited engagement in the heritage and preservation field with the topics of deconstruction, building material reuse, or construction and demolition waste practices more generally. This paper thus provides descriptive research on a topic that has been unevenly explored.
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Hong Zhang, Lu Yu and Wenyu Zhang
This study is aimed to explore the dynamic performance incentive model for a flexible PPP contract to handle uncertainties based on supervision during the long-time concession…
Abstract
Purpose
This study is aimed to explore the dynamic performance incentive model for a flexible PPP contract to handle uncertainties based on supervision during the long-time concession period, so as to ensure operation performance and benefits of the public sector while protecting the economic benefit of the private sector, thus avoiding unnecessary renegotiation.
Design/methodology/approach
The microeconomic and principal–agent theories and relevant studies on the basic incentive model and flexible contract are fully utilized. The procedure for developing the dynamic incentive model and the assumptions about the quantitative relationships among fundamental variables or factors are first proposed. The static incentive model without incentive parameter adjustment and then the dynamic incentive model allowing incentive parameter adjustment are successively developed. Finally, the propositions regarding the valid adjustment ranges of the incentive parameter with respect to the economic, social and hybrid benefits of the public sector and the economic benefit of the private sector are suggested.
Findings
The dynamic incentive model enables to achieve a flexible contract to handle uncertainties on the PPP project to ensure the benefits of the public sector while protecting the benefit of the private sector. The economic, social and hybrid benefits of the public sector and the economic benefit of the private sectors can be respectively realized through adjusting the reward–punishment coefficient under different adjustment ranges and different importance. The incentive model is able to ensure the benefits of the public sector while protecting the benefit of the private sector by controlling the private sector's effort level unknown to the public sector.
Originality/value
The dynamic incentive model helps implement a flexible PPP contract to handle uncertainties during the operation period, thus controlling the effort level of the private sector and ensuring the benefits of the public sector while protecting the economic benefit of the sector. It enables to clarify the quantitative relationships between the operation performance, the benefits of the stakeholders, the effort level of the private sector and the reward–punishment coefficient. This study contributes to the domain knowledge of the incomplete contract theory for designing a flexible PPP contract with dynamic incentive and supervision mechanism by applying the microeconomic and principal–agent theories.
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Wangyue Zhou, Jincai Dong and Wenyu Zhang
Interpersonal interaction can influence consumers’ purchase intention in social commerce (s-commerce). This paper aims to identify interpersonal interaction factors as well as the…
Abstract
Purpose
Interpersonal interaction can influence consumers’ purchase intention in social commerce (s-commerce). This paper aims to identify interpersonal interaction factors as well as the mediating effect of relationship quality between interpersonal interaction factors and consumers’ purchase intention in s-commerce.
Design/methodology/approach
This study explores new dimensions of interpersonal interaction in s-commerce by integrating interaction between consumers and online vendors and that between consumers and online recommenders in s-commerce. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis.
Findings
The results indicate that interpersonal interaction factors of both online vendors and online recommenders positively affect swift guanxi and initial trust between consumers and online vendors. Swift guanxi and initial trust positively affect consumers’ purchase intention. Initial trust partially mediates between interpersonal interaction factors and purchase intention while swift guanxi does not mediate between perceived similarity of online recommenders and purchase intention.
Practical implications
The findings can be used to guide vendors in s-commerce platforms to make good use of platform features to improve interpersonal interaction. Meanwhile, s-commerce platforms should be enhanced with efficient interaction tools to help cultivate relationship quality between consumers and online vendors.
Originality/value
This study combines social exchange theory, trust transfer theory and relationship quality theory to investigate the factors that influence swift guanxi and initial trust between consumers and online vendors, which extends the study of interpersonal interaction and enriches the dimensions of relationship quality in the context of s-commerce.
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Yi Tan, Wenyu Xu, Keyu Chen, Chunyan Deng and Peng Wang
At present, teaching methods based on 2D drawings are still commonly used for educating students on the location of steel reinforcement bars in concrete. However, traditional…
Abstract
Purpose
At present, teaching methods based on 2D drawings are still commonly used for educating students on the location of steel reinforcement bars in concrete. However, traditional teaching methods have limitations as students can find it difficult to understand 2D drawings. This study aims to develop an interactive and collaborative augmented reality environment (ICARE) using augmented reality (AR) technology to improve students' engagement in learning.
Design/methodology/approach
This study develops an ICARE prototype, which is organized into two stages: (1) The augmented teaching environment comprising of models and interactive components; (2) The AR collaborative application which uses Photon Unity Networking (PUN) plugin and Azure spatial anchors cloud service. The AR-based teaching environment runs with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to enable development in the HoloLens 2 through Microsoft Visual Studio.
Findings
An experimental study was conducted, where 60 students were divided into three groups employing Drawings-based, building information modeling (BIM)-based and AR-based methods for teaching. After the test, the three groups of students were requested to complete a questionnaire. According to the analysis of the experimental results, the ICARE can improve students' comprehension, memory of learned materials and their ability to read and understand steel reinforcement drawings improving the quality of teaching, especially interactivity and engagement.
Originality/value
As illustrated in the experiments, the developed ICARE has outstanding performance over conventional approaches in civil engineering courses that can improve students' comprehension and memory of knowledge and their ability to read and understand steel bar drawings. This study provides empirical evidence that AR is a promising technology that can be integrated with traditional classroom instruction and can improve students' comprehension and memory of knowledge and their ability to read and understand steel bar drawings.
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Shiran Geng, Hing-Wah Chau, Se Yan, Wenyu Zhang and Chunyang Zhang
Spatial arrangement of hospital environments has been proven to have impacts on hospital users such as wayfinding, privacy and operational efficiency. Many studies examined the…
Abstract
Purpose
Spatial arrangement of hospital environments has been proven to have impacts on hospital users such as wayfinding, privacy and operational efficiency. Many studies examined the spatial quality of hospitals, but there is a lack of comparative research between Chinese and Australian hospitals. Hospitals in both countries have salient features that are worth to learn and can inform hospital stakeholders internationally on design decisions. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and compare the spatial quality of hospitals from both countries using space syntax approach and field observation.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses space syntax analysis and observation to provide qualitative and quantitative data. Illustrative case studies from both countries are selected for comparison. The main benchmarks involved in measuring the spatial qualities, such as step depth and visual connectivity, are analysed using Depthmap X before comparing with the results from observation.
Findings
For Chinese hospitals to be more human-centred, public space design and facility management need additional attention. Australian hospitals could learn from Hospital D on how to design highly centralised nursing stations that cope with a high patient flow. Global policy and decision-makers should consider the potential inconsistency between initial design intention and practical use.
Originality/value
Practical implications were made based on the results for bettering hospital environments. It is hoped that the methodology presented in this research is of significance to the enhancement of global healthcare environment research.
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Virtual try-on apps (VTOs) hold great potential to transform online apparel shopping, yet their acceptance by consumers has been lukewarm. By drawing on two theories – Sirgy’s…
Abstract
Purpose
Virtual try-on apps (VTOs) hold great potential to transform online apparel shopping, yet their acceptance by consumers has been lukewarm. By drawing on two theories – Sirgy’s theory of the self and Sundar’s theory of interactive media effects (TIME) – the study tests a PLS model with two new constructs: Photo Satisfaction and Consumer Inspiration, and their impact on Adoption Intention.
Design/methodology/approach
This mixed methods study examines the effects from personalization and customization affordances in the latest generation of apparel VTOs. The proposed model was tested in a quasi-experimental within-subjects design, as 61 female participants completed a goal-directed and an exploratory apparel shopping task using two VTO apps available on the market.
Findings
Inspiration induced from the customization affordance in the exploratory task influenced Adoption Intention as strongly as Fit Confidence did. For both conditions, users’ satisfaction with their avatar picture had a stronger effect on Perceived Augmentation than the individual trait of Body Esteem. The study also demonstrates how TIME’s Sense of Agency component could help theorize positive consumer responses to mobile marketing technology, which in our study were induced via the app’s Mix and Match feature. Also demonstrated was that Perceived Augmentation could be influenced by body-image affective judgments made during the pre-task VTO avatar creation phase.
Practical implications
VTO’s customization feature “Mix and Match” appears vital for the adoption of such apps for exploratory m-shopping of apparel. Also important is the satisfaction with one's photograph during the avatar-creation phase. We further suggest that apparel retailers work with Augmented Reality developers to include dynamic avatar capability as well as social sharing affordances in VTOs.
Social implications
60 billion USD worth of returns occur annually in the online apparel retail industry, mostly related to fitting problems, not to mention the larger carbon footprint from the increased transportation. A more wide-spread adoption of VTOs can not only help with these problems but also lighten the traffic in brick and mortar fitting rooms, a potential hazard at this time of pandemic.
Originality/value
This is the first study to examine Consumer Inspiration in the context of online apparel retailing and to demonstrate the importance of Photo Satisfaction during the avatar-creation phase in influencing the subsequent user experience in apparel VTOs.
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Social relationships on the internet through the emergence of Web 2.0 applications created new opportunities for business. This is mainly because of the growth of social…
Abstract
Purpose
Social relationships on the internet through the emergence of Web 2.0 applications created new opportunities for business. This is mainly because of the growth of social networking sites, which has also developed e‐commerce. The current development in e‐commerce opened a new stream, entitled social commerce, which is using social technologies to create an environment for generating social interactions. These social interactions can drive online social support in e‐commerce, which in turn is creating trust and an increased intention to use social commerce.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used social support theory and related theories on intention to use to propose a theoretical framework for the adoption of social commerce.
Findings
The model predicts that forums and communities, ratings, reviews, referrals and recommendations are helping to introduce new business plans for e‐vendors. The model also shows trust is an on‐going issue in e‐commerce and can be built through social commerce constructs.
Research limitations/implications
There is limited research in the area of social commerce which this study seeks to redress. This study proposes a new model which can be extended by other constructs. However, the research needs to empirically test the constructs of the proposed model and their relationship.
Originality/value
This paper introduces social commerce constructs, namely; recommendations and referrals, forums and communities and rating and reviews. The bases of the model proposed in this research are IT adoption and literature in the area such as PU and intention to buy or trust. These highlight the key role of ICT in the behaviour of online customers. This can be a development for e‐commerce adoption models and the results signify that IS has a reference discipline for the behaviour of online consumers. This is an issue in marketing where not enough attention is paid to the importance of IT and IS.
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Chia-Chen Chen, Kuo-Lun Hsiao and Shan-Jung Wu
With the advent of the digital era, the internet has gradually become an essential factor in people’s lives. Its increasing popularity has also caused e-commerce to thrive, and…
Abstract
Purpose
With the advent of the digital era, the internet has gradually become an essential factor in people’s lives. Its increasing popularity has also caused e-commerce to thrive, and has increased the power of online marketing. In recent years, social commerce has emerged as a new mode of operation which can be distinguished from traditional e-commerce. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The main purpose of this study is to determine which factors influence a consumer’s behavioral intention in the context of social commerce websites, and to explore overall purchase intentions based on the consumer’s cognitive evaluation. The examination reveals that consumers’ multidimensional perceptions influence both their perceptions of value and their purchase intentions. Other related social awareness factors explored by this study are also shown to influence customers’ purchase intentions.
Findings
In summary, the results show that perceived value and social awareness factors influence customers’ purchasing decisions and behavioral intentions for different gender. These findings have significant theoretical and managerial implications.
Originality/value
Social commerce is a subset of e-commerce brought about by the development of social networking. Activities conducted on social networking websites can be considered as a form of social commerce. In Taiwan, social commerce is still in the early stages of development.
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Xiaopeng Wang, Kun Peng, Meiyun Zhao, Hongliang Tian and Hongling Qin
The purpose of this paper is to propose a wheel/rail mixed lubrication model to study the water lubrication behavior of wheel/rail contact interface.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a wheel/rail mixed lubrication model to study the water lubrication behavior of wheel/rail contact interface.
Design/methodology/approach
The numerical simulation method is applied in this paper. A deterministic mixed lubrication model considering surface roughness and transient state is established. The quasi-system numerical and finite difference method are used for numerical solution. The model is verified by comparing with the experimental data in the literature under the same conditions.
Findings
Under wet conditions, the change of train speed will change the lubrication state of the wheel/rail contact interface. With an increasing speed, the average film thickness and the film thickness ratio increase, while the adhesion coefficient, the contact load ratio and the contact area ratio decrease. When the creep ratio increases from 0% to 0.5%, the wheel/rail adhesion coefficient and subsurface stress increase sharply. With the increase of axle load, the average film thickness decreases and the adhesion coefficient increases.
Practical implications
This paper aims to improve the mixed lubrication theory by analyzing the characteristics of wheel/rail friction and lubrication, so as to provide some guidance and theory for train driving behavior.
Originality/value
Using the deterministic model, the lubrication state of the wheel/rail contact interface affected by various external factors and the adhesion behavior of wheel/rail progressive process from boundary lubrication to mixed lubrication are studied.