Xiaosong Dong, Hanqi Tu, Hanzhe Zhu, Tianlang Liu, Xing Zhao and Kai Xie
This study aims to explore the opposite effects of single-category versus multi-category products information diversity on consumer decision making. Further, the authors…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the opposite effects of single-category versus multi-category products information diversity on consumer decision making. Further, the authors investigate the moderating role of three categories of visitors – direct, hesitant and hedonic – in the relationship between product information diversity and consumer decision making.
Design/methodology/approach
The research utilizes a sample of 1,101,062 product click streams from 4,200 consumers. Visitors are clustered using the k-means algorithm. The diversity of information recommendations for single and multi-category products is characterized using granularity and dispersion, respectively. Empirical analysis is conducted to examine their influence on the two-stage decision-making process of heterogeneous online visitors.
Findings
The study reveals that the impact of recommended information diversity on consumer decision making differs significantly between single-category and multiple-category products. Specifically, information diversity in single-category products enhances consumers' click and purchase intention, while information diversity in multiple-category products reduces consumers' click and purchase intention. Moreover, based on the analysis of online visiting heterogeneity, hesitant, direct and hedonic features enhance the positive impact of granularity on consumer decision making; while direct features exacerbate the negative impact of dispersion on consumer decision making.
Originality/value
First, the article provides support for studies related to information cocoon. Second, the research contributes evidence to support the information overload theory. Third, the research enriches the field of precision marketing theory.
Details
Keywords
Samsul Islam, Floris Goerlandt, Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Yangyan Shi and Noorul Shaiful Fitri Abdul Rahman
This study aims to improve understanding of how coastal maritime transport system of Vancouver Island would be disrupted in disaster events, and the strategies could be used to…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to improve understanding of how coastal maritime transport system of Vancouver Island would be disrupted in disaster events, and the strategies could be used to address such risks. Any transport disruption at the maritime leg of the supply chain can affect the needs of vulnerable residents and thus, the supply of many goods to coastal communities.
Design/methodology/approach
This case study focuses on the disruption that can be expected to occur for ferries that serves coastal communities of Vancouver Island in Canada. A landslide scenario in the Fraser River (which connects coastal communities) is developed, and interviews and focus groups are used to gain understanding of the vulnerability and resilience of shipping.
Findings
The findings show that the maritime leg of the supply chain for the coastal communities of Vancouver Island is resilient to a landslide disruption of ferries. Besides, there would be no impact on the operability of tugs and barges. This study also offers suggestions for creating the conditions for increasing resilience of maritime supply chains to any such disruption.
Research limitations/implications
A research gap exists with respect to minimizing disruption in maritime supply chains, mainly in regard to lessening the impact on the vulnerable residents of coastal communities. This study contributes to filling this gap in the literature.
Practical implications
The findings have significant implications for maritime service providers and for people working on disaster preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
Originality/value
Studies which focus on alleviating the impact of disruptions in the maritime supply chains and the mitigation strategies for coastal communities are scarce in the literature.
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Keywords
L. Sun, W.M. Huang, H.B. Lu, C.C. Wang and J.L. Zhang
– This paper aims to present a review on utilizing shape memory technology (SMT) for active assembly/disassembly, i.e. assembly/disassembly without physically touching.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a review on utilizing shape memory technology (SMT) for active assembly/disassembly, i.e. assembly/disassembly without physically touching.
Design/methodology/approach
The fundamentals behind the shape memory effect (SME) in materials, in particular shape memory alloys (SMAs) and polymers, which are the cornerstones of SMT, are introduced, together with the possible approaches to implement this effect in active assembly/disassembly. Example applications for not only active assembly/ disassembly, but also programmed active disassembly are presented.
Findings
The advantages of utilizing SMT over conventional assembly/disassembly techniques are identified.
Originality/value
The paper introduces the fundamentals behind the SME and the basic approaches to implement the SMT in not only active assembly/disassembly, but also programmed active assembly.