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This study aims to examine the impact of mobile interactivity dimensions (active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, connectedness, responsiveness and synchronicity) on customer engagement.

A quantitative field survey study was conducted to collect the required data from actual users of mobile shopping in three countries: Jordan, the United Kingdom (UK) and Saudi Arabia.

The results are based on structural equation modelling and support the impact of five dimensions of mobile interactivity: active control, personalization, ubiquitous connectivity, responsiveness and synchronicity. The impact of connectedness is not supported. The results also support the significant impact of customer engagement on customer loyalty.

This study only considered the shopping activities conducted by mobile channels, while other channels (e.g., online channels, traditional channels and social media shopping channels) are not considered. Furthermore, the current model does not consider the impact of personal factors (e.g., technology readiness, self-efficacy and user experience). The results of the current study present a foundation that can guide marketers and practitioners in the area of mobile shopping.

This study enriches the current understanding of the impact of mobile interactivity on mobile shopping, as well as how mobile interactivity can enhance the level of customer engagement.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/00368790510614163. When citing the article, please cite: B.S. Yilbas, M. Sunar, Z. Qasem, B.J. Abdul Aleem, S. Zainaulabdeen, (2005), “Study into mechanical properties of TiN coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy through three-point bending tests”, Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 57 Iss: 5, pp. 193 - 196.

The study aims to verify and compare the relationship of consumer innovativeness and technostress for FinTech usage behavior of Korean and Chinese Gen Z consumers.

The study proposes an integrative causal model derived from consumer innovativeness, technostress, and FinTech usage intention of the Korean and Chinese Gen Z consumers and test the causal relationships using structural equation modeling (SEM).

The study results showed that social innovativeness negatively affected the three dimensions of technostress and had a significant positive impact on FinTech usage intention for all samples. Hedonist innovativeness had no significant positive impact on FinTech usage intention for all samples, but it differently affected the three sub-dimensions of technostress (uncertainty, invasion, and complexity) for each sample.

This study presents nascent literature on the causal relationships of consumer innovativeness, technostress, and FinTech usage behavior for Korean and Chinese Gen Z consumers.

The increasing demand for fashion-augmented reality (FAR) in online fast fashion shopping has the potential to reduce soil and water pollution. Hence, it is vital to understand the success factors that influence consumers’ intention to use FAR (IAR) and actual usage of FAR (UAR) to enhance its adoption.

By incorporating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, this study examined the influence of success factors on IAR, the effect of IAR on UAR and the mediating role of IAR in the relationship between success factors and UAR. In total, 803 responses were collected from Indonesia using a cross-sectional approach. Data were examined using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Their findings revealed that perceived enjoyment, perceived service value and facilitating conditions significantly influenced IAR and UAR. However, the impacts of perceived functional benefits, lifestyle compatibility and perceived trust were insignificant. Nevertheless, the IAR has a significant influence on UAR. Finally, the IAR mediates the relationships among perceived enjoyment, perceived service value, facilitating conditions and UAR.

This study provides valuable insights for practitioners to develop marketing strategies and improve consumer perceptions of FAR, particularly in emerging economies. One limitation of this study is that it exclusively examined young consumers and restricted the examination to specific aspects of consumer behaviour.

Integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and partial least squares structural equation modelling provides a comprehensive understanding of the underlying dynamics and sheds light on the success factors that drive consumer IAR into UAR and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 12 by reducing soil and water pollution.

To better understand continuities and changes in consumer behaviour, it is also important to examine the original antecedents of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2). Studying Generation Y is crucial for developing competitive online marketing strategies, as Generation Y plays a substantial role in online purchases. Therefore, this study aims to examine the actual use of small business websites based on the UTAUT2 among Generation Y.

A total of 375 valid questionnaires were collected via a systematic sampling among Generation Y in Canada. All participants in the study had at least a high school education, were internet and computer literate, and had purchased a good/service from the retail websites of Canadian small businesses.

The results show performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, social influence and habit have significant effects on behavioural intentions. The habit and behavioural intentions also have significant effects on actual usage of small businesses’ retail websites. Additionally, this study supported the significant difference between male and female UTAUT2 models.

The study examines how small retail businesses can attract and retain Generation Y customers by improving their website’s performance. Performance expectancy, hedonic motivation and social influence are significant factors in determining behavioral intention. Small businesses can enhance their website usability, design and content to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Hedonic motivation is crucial for Generation Y customers, who seek pleasure and excitement when visiting websites. Social influence is crucial for male customers, whereas performance expectancy, hedonic motivation and habit are more important for female customers. The study also suggests that Canadian governments should encourage online purchasing to increase the usage of small retail business websites.

This study provided few valuable insights into small businesses’ retail websites behavioural intentions and actual usage between males and females in Canada.

In this chapter, we explore the dark side of the metaverse and the need for user protection. While the metaverse offers multiple opportunities it also poses significant risks for users, such as privacy concerns, addiction, harassment, and cyberbullying. First, we discuss the various threats that users may encounter such as online harassment, assaults, cyberbullying, hate speech, identity theft, and virtual property theft. As per the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an incident of violation occurs every seven minutes within VRChat, a popular virtual reality game. The level of misconduct in the metaverse can surpass the extent of internet harassment. Virtual reality gaming has been associated with various health issues like sleep deprivation, and insomnia as well as mental health concerns such as depression, anger, and anxiety. We examine how these issues may impact user’s physical and mental health. The sensors and devices used in the metaverse collect a vast amount of user biometric data and spatial data. Interactions between users and metaverse could be leaked. We examine different methods that improve user protection, including everyone from enhanced security protocols via the application of privacy-enhanced technology to several avatars, two-factor authentication, and user educational and awareness programs. Moreover, we explore how the newest technologies, like blockchain and artificial intelligence, play a role in making user safety more important. We finished the course with the study of the case of Second Life, the virtual reality gaming platform, and pointing out some of the problems that exist within it.

This paper aims to synthesize the existing literature on virtual reality (VR) in the luxury fashion industry, discuss the current practical applications of VR technologies and review previous research undertaken in the luxury fashion field.

This paper conducts a systematic review and thematic analysis of existing literature to evaluate current research concerning VR and the luxury fashion industry. This search initially returned a total of 1,131 sources. After establishing and applying criteria of exclusion and inclusion, a total of 46 articles were selected for the thematic analysis.

Five major themes were identified, including virtual luxury fashion consumption, VR in marketing communication, virtual try-on, VR retail (including virtual fashion retail spaces) and virtual worlds (including customers’ virtual representation as avatars). The importance of these themes for the study of VR in luxury fashion is supported by relevant studies in the literature.

Whilst research into VR use within luxury fashion has increased recently, it remains fragmented. Given the absence of a comprehensive review addressing this topic within the literature, this paper will help scholars and fashion brands better understand the effects of VR on the luxury fashion industry. By integrating current practice and existing research, this paper contributes to a better understanding of how and where VR is used in luxury fashion contexts.

In this chapter, we describe the importance of good governance in the metaverse. It offers unlimited opportunities and presents unique governance challenges. First, we describe the concept of good governance and its relevance to the metaverse. We emphasize that the speed of metaverse adoption depends upon the presence or absence of effective governance. Recognizing the metaverse as the next iteration of the internet, we present significant governance issues. Some issues such as interoperability, security, safety, privacy, law, and digital inequality are critical governance issues in the metaverse. Next, we explore the diverse governance frameworks to ensure the implementation of policies and regulations. These frameworks include decentralized governance, cross-sector collaboration, and standards-based governance. We also describe the best practices which are essential for good governance. To materialize the concepts and principles discussed, we present a compelling case study centered on Decentraland. This insightful exploration dissects a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO)-based governance structure, offering valuable insights into the intricacies and stages of governance proposals. We acknowledge both the merits and potential drawbacks inherent to this approach. This chapter aims to offer an all-encompassing view of metaverse governance, essentially serving as a comprehensive roadmap for traversing the multifaceted landscape of this digital frontier.

To examine the mechanical properties of TiN PVD coated Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy through three‐point bending tests.

Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy is cut in size and polished and cleaned chemically before TiN PVD coating process. INSTRON three‐point bending equipment is used to conduct the bending tests for TiN coated and uncoated workpieces. During the tests, the load and displacement characteristics were recorded. The tests were terminated when the coating failed. Micrographs of surface and crack sites were obtained by SEM.

Coating failure occurs due to shearing effect on the tensile surface. The spalling and buckling of the coating on the compressive surface are observed. The compressive stress generated on the top surface (where the indent is in contact) did not cause adhesive failure of the coating. Moreover, cohesive cracks occur on the tensile surface of the coating. The crack ledge under the action of shear stress appears on the tensile surface of TiN coating and multi cracking of coating is resulted. The crack spacing is small indicating sliding and splitting separation between the adjacent columns in the coating.

The tests can be extended to include the duplex treated workpieces such as the heat treatment of surface prior to TiN coating. This enhances the interface properties of the coating and base alloy.

The results can be used to assess the TiN coating applications in cutting tools, particularly drill bits and punches.

This paper provides information on mechanical behavior of TiN coating when subjected to bending force and offers practical help for the researchers and scientists working in the coating area.

The spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has drastically changed the entire market structure and shopping behaviors across the world. While shoppers rushed toward e-commerce platforms during the pandemic, the key debate that rose was on how this behavior will evolve post COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to explore the different categories of e-commerce platforms’ users and propose a distinctive customer typology in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An exploratory qualitative research design was adopted because of the novelty of the subject. In total, 43 participants were interviewed, including 27 consumers and 16 experts in the field of e-commerce.

Based on the findings, this study distinguishes between two stages of e-commerce usage during the pandemic. Furthermore, this study identifies four key typologies of e-commerce shoppers that are expected to form at the end of the coronavirus: duty-bound, e-watcher, makeshift and onli-vorous shoppers. The characteristics and businesses strategies pertaining to each of the identified groups are discussed.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first to identify the different stages, while proposing an innovative typology of e-commerce platform post COVID-19. This study also offers useful recommendations to deal with similar future crises.