Andrea Gelei and Zsófia Kenesei
In today’s turbulent environment, it is important that companies effectively leverage resources available both in-house and in their interorganizational ties. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
In today’s turbulent environment, it is important that companies effectively leverage resources available both in-house and in their interorganizational ties. The purpose of this study is to focus on technology as a key resource and aims to analyse contextual factors of the relationship between the technological heterogeneity of suppliers and the buyer firm’s short- and long-term performance in a dynamic approach.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper applies a mixed-method approach. The theoretical model has been developed based on extant literature, validated by a workshop with practitioners, and tested using structural equation modelling on a sample of 157 companies.
Findings
Suppliers’ technological heterogeneity has a significant positive effect on both the buyer’s actual business performance and its research and development capability. Business performance captures the short term, while the long-term performance implications of heterogeneity are understood as a precondition for future, technology-based competitiveness. The results show that both short- and long-term consequences are mediated by the buyer’s supply chain management efforts (SCMEs), while the relationship between technological heterogeneity and these efforts is moderated by the buyer’s networking capability (NC).
Research limitations/implications
This study provides the first evidence of potential long-term positive performance consequences of technologically heterogeneous suppliers. Additionally, it develops new insights into how the internal abilities of the focal firm might facilitate or hinder the positive implications of such heterogeneity. Specifically, the role of the buyer’s SCMEs and its NC is analysed. Industry-specific analyses offer new opportunities for future scholarship and future studies could extend research with other contextual factors.
Practical implications
Managers at different levels of the buyer firm should be aware of the organizational capabilities through which they can leverage the potential embedded in technologically heterogeneous suppliers. The results contribute to this understanding, which is especially important when a change in the environment (and the consequent changes in the level of technological heterogeneity) is constant.
Originality/value
This paper reflects on an important critique of the extant literature by applying a dynamic approach. Dynamization is twofold. Firstly, this study does not limit empirical analysis to short-term performance consequences. Secondly, this study discusses contextual factors that capture some aspects of the buyer’s ability to dynamically adapt to the changing environment. SCMEs align the supply chain of the buyer along customer requirements that change over time, while the NC is responsible for the ongoing reconfiguration of the supplier’s base.
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Gábor Pörzse and Zsófia Kenesei
Even though the pandemic years resulted in a significant increase in massive open online courses (MOOCs), there are still countries where penetration is low. The rejection of…
Abstract
Purpose
Even though the pandemic years resulted in a significant increase in massive open online courses (MOOCs), there are still countries where penetration is low. The rejection of MOOCs can inhibit individual and societal advancements. The purpose of this study is to explore what is behind the resistance to MOOCs in these regions. Using the theoretical framework of innovation resistance theory, it defines the factors that inhibit the adoption of MOOCs.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on two studies. In the first study, in-depth interviews were used to explore factors that may cause barriers to adoption. Following the results of the first phase, a survey was conducted to investigate resistance to MOOCs, including both users and nonusers of such platforms.
Findings
Structural equation modeling revealed the presence of functional and psychological barriers, with the most significant being usage and value-related barriers. The lack of information and the need for interaction were identified as the main factors contributing to these barriers.
Originality/value
The results help increase the acceptance and effective integration of MOOCs into different educational environments, especially in countries with high resistance.
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Yuling Wei, Jhanghiz Syahrivar and Attila Endre Simay
Chatbots have been explored as a novel approach to enhancing consumer engagement by delivering more enjoyable, personalized services. This research aims to investigate the…
Abstract
Purpose
Chatbots have been explored as a novel approach to enhancing consumer engagement by delivering more enjoyable, personalized services. This research aims to investigate the mechanism through which anthropomorphic elements of chatbots influence consumers' intentions to use the technology.
Design/methodology/approach
This research introduces five key concepts framed through the “computers-are-social-actors” (CASA) paradigm: form realism (FR), behavioral realism (BR), cognitive trust (CT), entertainment (EM) and chatbot usage intention (CUI). An online questionnaire garnered 280 responses from China and 207 responses from Indonesia. Data collection employed a combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques. This research utilized structural equation modeling through the analysis of moment structures (AMOS) 27 software to test the hypotheses.
Findings
(1) FR positively predicts CT and EM, (2) FR negatively predicts CUI, (3) BR positively predicts CT and EM, (4) BR positively predicts CUI and (5) Both CT and EM mediate the relationship between FR and CUI, as well as between BR and CUI.
Originality/value
This research enriches the current literature on interactive marketing by exploring how the anthropomorphic features of chatbots enhance consumers' intentions to use such technology. It pioneers the exploration of CT and EM as mediating factors in the relationship between chatbot anthropomorphism and consumer behavioral intention. Moreover, this research makes a methodological contribution by developing and validating new measurement scales for measuring chatbot anthropomorphic elements.
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Yuling Wei, Jhanghiz Syahrivar and Hanif Adinugroho Widyanto
As one of the most cutting-edge technologies in the digital age, facial enhancement technology (FET) has greatly enhanced consumer online shopping experience and brought new…
Abstract
Purpose
As one of the most cutting-edge technologies in the digital age, facial enhancement technology (FET) has greatly enhanced consumer online shopping experience and brought new e-commerce opportunities for cosmetics retailers. The purpose of this paper is to extend the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model in the context of FET. In addition to the concepts from the original model, the new FET-UTAUT model features (low) body esteem, social media addiction and FET adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
A purposive sampling of FET users in China via an online questionnaire yields 473 respondents. To analyze the data, this research uses the structural equation modeling method via statistical package for the social sciences and analysis of a moment structures software. A two-step approach, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, was used to test the hypotheses and generate the findings.
Findings
Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions and (low) body esteem have positive relationships with FET adoption. FET adoption has a positive relationship with online purchase intention of branded color cosmetics, and the empirical evidence for the moderating role of social media addiction in the relationship between FET adoption and online purchase intention is inconclusive.
Originality/value
This research extends the traditional UTAUT model by proposing a novel FET-UTAUT model that incorporates additional key concepts such as body esteem, FET adoption and social media addiction. Managerial implications of this research are provided for FET designers and branded color cosmetic retailers.