Search results

The purpose of this paper is to explore and engage with connections between the evolving technology of the Internet of Things (IoT) and notions of convenience. In particular, the concept of alpha convenience is introduced in order to articulate the broad scope of Internet “any-everything” connectivity, here called “alpha convenience.”

The recommendations of Constructive Technology Assessment are followed in order to evaluate technology before implementation. The seven value drivers articulated by Fleisch (2010) are utilized in order to envision-specific aspects.

Three critical aspects relating to alpha convenience are identified and discussed: gossiping technology, personalization and the disempowered smartphone user. It is argued that extreme forms of convenience shift traditional areas of human agency onto technology. It is also noted that alpha convenience tends to develop as ubiquitous feature of future society, making it difficult, if not impossible, to opt out.

The paper focusses on one powerful concept, although the IoT is merely one of several terms used to deliberate the role of next-generation information technology and society. Notable competitors include semantic web, ubiquitous computing, pervasive computing and ambient intelligence.

The IoT is predicted to be an intrusive feature into everyday life and the paper identifies important aspects.

This is the first critical discussion of the IoT and convenience. The paper aims at conceptual innovation. Overall, there is a substantial lack of critical scrutiny of the emerging ideas of the IoT.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interplay between configuration dimensions (network structure, network flow, relationship governance, and service architecture) of last-mile supply networks (LMSN) and the underlying mechanisms influencing omnichannel performance.

Based on mixed-method design incorporating a multiple embedded case study, mapping, survey, and archival records, this research involved undertaking in-depth within- and cross-case analyses to examine seven LMSNs, employing a configuration approach.

The existing literature in the operations management (OM) field was shown to provide limited understanding of LMSNs within the emerging omnichannel context. Case results suggest that particular configurations have intrinsic capabilities, and that these directly influence omnichannel performance. The study further proposes a taxonomy of LMSNs comprising six forms, with two hybrids, supporting the notion of equifinality in configuration theory. Propositions are developed to further explore interdependencies between configurational attributes, refining the relationship between LMSN types, and factors influencing omnichannel performance.

The findings provide retailers with a set of design parameters for the (re)configuration of LMSNs and facilitate performance evaluation using the concept of fit between configurational attributes. The developed model sheds light on the consequential effects when certain configurational attributes are altered, preempting managerial attention. Given the global trend in urbanization, improved LMSN performance would have positive societal impacts in terms of service and resource efficiency.

This is one of the first studies in the OM field to critically analyze LMSNs and their behaviors in omnichannel retailing. Additionally, the paper offers several important avenues for future research.

Despite the increasing use of home delivery (HD) in e-commerce, no studies have explicitly examined consumer perceptions of the convenience of the last-mile delivery of goods by cargo bike (CB). Therefore, this study aims to identify the dimensions of HD convenience and to develop a reliable and valid measurement tool, namely the Home-Delivery Convenience via Cargo Bike (HDCCB) scale.

The methodology of this scale development study is premised on a review of the existing literature, which identifies differences in consumer perceptions of the convenience of services. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 online consumers and validated the content with 3 experts on marketing in the retail and services sectors in order to develop the items for the scale. Thereafter, the authors identified the main dimensions through an exploratory factor analysis that the authors applied to an online survey with 116 respondents. Finally, the scale was validated through a confirmatory factor analysis of an online survey with 300 respondents.

Following the original work of Brown (1990), the authors define consumer perceptions of HD convenience as a multidimensional construct and measure each facet of its four dimensions, which are time, use, execution and acquisition. E-retailers and last-mile logistics providers could use the authors' proposed measurement tool to assess consumer perceptions of the convenience of HD. That assessment could generate a competitive advantage.

This study is original as the study deepens the existing understanding of consumer perceptions of the convenience of HD by CB in last-mile logistics. This study also develops a multidimensional measure that is based on an empirical study.

This chapter explores the determinants of satisfaction of the Islamic microcredit borrowers in Bangladesh. A total of 245, mostly educated and young, borrowers of rural development scheme, the largest Islamic microcredit institution (MCI) in the world, were included in a survey using a structured questionnaire. Factors were extracted using exploratory factor analysis. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify influential determinants of satisfaction of microcredit borrowers. Borrowers have identified the activities and interaction in the “center,” which includes weekly/monthly meetings, investment-related training, and group performance review, as the most vital factor influencing their overall satisfaction. Competence of the microcredit staffs and officials is the second important determinant. Trust plays the next important role in overall satisfaction of the borrowers with the Islamic microcredit institutions. Convenience, of applying for loan, getting an approval, and paying instalments, is the other influential determinant of the borrower’s satisfaction. The findings imply that given the competition and social need of the Islamic microcredit institutions globally, policymakers must ensure greater investment in human capital, in creating awareness about products and services of the Islamic microcredits, and in initiating a prudent change in the regulation so that Islamic microcredit can become a tool for sustainable socioeconomic development. Use of a proper marketing strategy can also help the MCIs to support the financial inclusion policy of the government. Satisfaction of the borrowers of the Islamic microcredit institutions is yet to arrive in Islamic marketing literature. The proposed borrower-centric model can help reduce poverty and the internal loan-shark problem through adequate engagement of relevant stakeholders.

The domain of service convenience remains relatively unexplored. However, as time pervades all aspects of consumption, the value placed on time is likely to influence the importance of convenience. Prior studies call for the investigation of convenience beyond the store context; and malls being a one-stop shopping destination, present an ideal environment for investigation.

A conceptual model delineating the relationships between service convenience, shopping trip value, customer satisfaction and several retail outcomes is developed. This model is empirically tested using survey data collected from 619 mall shoppers; and analyzed using structural equation modelling.

For shoppers who place high economic value on time, the effects of service convenience are greater on hedonic value. Conversely, those who place low economic value on time, effects of service convenience are greater on utilitarian value. Effects of shopping value on retail outcomes also vary according to value placed on time.

Further investigation utilizing full convenience scale and more elaborate time style measures encouraged.

Results signal the importance of enhancing the experiential aspects of the mall for high economic time value shoppers. Conversely, for low economic time value shoppers, findings suggest the importance of boosting the visual distinctiveness and ease of mall navigation.

This study sheds light on research gaps by examining the link between service convenience and its effects on retail evaluation in the mall. It also considers how the economic value placed on time impact perceptions of convenience and the shopping experience.

The purpose of this chapter was to investigate consumer perceptions of retail agglomeration (RA) characteristics in Zagreb region. Perceived RA characteristics were compared between two major types of RA: Planned retail agglomerations (PRA) and Evolved retail agglomerations (ERA).

Data were collected with consumer survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Findings indicate that four factors of RA characteristics can be identified: convenience, accessibility, atmosphere, and image. The shoppers’ ratings indicate the strength and weaknesses of RA, and also the dominant position of PRA as compared to evolved RA.

Results show that there were significant differences in shoppers’ perceptions between Planned and evolved RA in Zagreb region. Shoppers evaluated PRA better than ERA on all four factors. Convenience and atmosphere are the best-rated PRA characteristics. Managerial implications are discussed in the study.

This study aims to model repurchase intention among smartphones users by using structural equation modelling. The model was used to determine the impact of service quality measured by convenience, functionality and perceived usefulness on users’ satisfaction and repurchase intention. The study also examined the mediating role of users’ satisfaction on repurchase intention.

A survey research design was adopted to gather data used for this study through questionnaire administration. In total, 500 copies of the questionnaire were administered to smartphones users in Nigeria, and 486 copies of the questionnaire were found usable for data analyses. The data obtained were analysed using different statistical tools such as mean, standard deviation, correlation, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling through the use of Analysis of Moment Structures software.

The study revealed that users’ satisfaction is significantly influenced by convenience, functionality and perceived usefulness. Similarly, repurchase intention is significantly impacted by perceived usefulness. The results further showed that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between users’ satisfaction and repurchase intention. However, convenience and functionality were found to have positive but statistically insignificant relationship with repurchase intention.

This study contributes to the emerging discourse on the perception of smartphone users with respect to convenience, functionality, perceived usefulness, satisfaction and repurchase intention in the Nigerian context. It presents a latest attempt and useful insights on the service quality–users’ satisfaction–repurchase intention nexus among smartphone users in Nigeria.

The objective of this study was to check psychometric properties of a French‐language in‐patient experience questionnaire in a test sample different from the development sample. The questionnaire was sent out to 5,736 in‐patients, within two to four weeks of discharge from a teaching hospital of 2,200 beds. Overall 4,095 questionnaires (71.4 per cent) were returned. Of these, 3,879 questionnaires were analyzed. In principal component analysis, seven principal components accounted for 62.4 per cent of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.62 to 0.90, with the exception of the seventh scale (convenience scale, two items, Cronbach=0.39). The overall patient experience score increased with increasing patient age (except for patients older than 65), male sex, low education level, use of a single room, and prior stay in the department. It also differed with respect to patients’ behavioral intentions, answers to an overall satisfaction item, and open‐ended comments.

This study aims to understand the role of access convenience of common service centres (CSCs) in determining the e-government continuance intention from the perspective of citizens who are dependent on these centres for using e-government services, in developing countries such as India. The study uses the DeLone and McLean’s information systems (IS) success model as a theoretical basis and analyses the effect of access convenience of CSCs (AC), on the three quality dimensions (namely, information quality [IQ], system quality [SyQ] and service quality [SQ]), and the e-government continuance intention. The effects of the three quality dimensions on continuance intention are also analysed.

The primary data were collected from the field surveys conducted at various CSCs in Uttar Pradesh state of India using convenience sampling technique. The study sample included 358 respondents who use e-government services through CSCs. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the proposed model.

The findings of the study suggest that CSCs’ access convenience has a significant positive impact on the e-government continuance intention. The findings also confirm the significant positive impact on all the three quality dimensions of e-government i.e. IQ, SyQ and SQ. Though the findings do not provide support for the impact of IQ and SyQ on the e-government continuance intention but the impact of SQ on the e-government continuance intention is found to be significantly positive.

The explanatory power of the model indicates the scope of including more variables in determining the continued usage of e-government. Future studies may extend the present study by including concepts such as trust, satisfaction and security/privacy concerns of citizens. The present study has failed to support the impact of IQ and SyQ on the intention to continue using e-government services. Future studies may test the model in different contexts with different respondents to further examine these relationships. Future studies may also see the association between the continuance intention and actual use of e-government services.

The government should provide accessible CSCs to the citizens which are conveniently available to them. To diffuse the e-government services successfully among all citizens, the government needs to see that sufficient numbers of CSCs are available in the areas where people lack the required infrastructure for using the e-government services. The government also needs to ensure that the CSCs are fully functional and equipped with facilities for providing the best quality services.

The study combines the quality constructs from the IS success model with AC, for predicting the e-government continuance intention. The joint use of these constructs has provided a model with high explanatory power, which is able to explain 76.6% variation in the continued usage of e-government services. The study also contributes to the existing literature by presenting AC as a strong determinant of the e-government quality dimensions.

Within the highly competitive clothing retail industry, retailers (both affordable and premium) need to consider which customer experience elements drive customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. The purpose of this study is to determine whether customer expectations are different for various types of clothing retailers, and what customers specifically expect when purchasing from a retailer.

For this study, a positivistic quantitative research design and a non-probability convenience sampling method were used. A total of 222 useable questionnaires were used to conduct descriptive statistics. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis were run to test the hypotheses.

The results indicate that customers expect affordable retailers to provide them with convenience and to create a positive shopping experience, while premium clothing retailers should offer added-value and convenience. In addition, the presence of other customers influences the experience. For both groups, satisfaction was a predictor of loyalty, which, in turn, was a predictor of repurchase intentions.

The study is unique as it compares the customer expectations for satisfaction and repurchase intentions for both affordable retailers and premium retailers. The study is conducted in an emerging market context where the growth of the retailing industry is visible. By conducting this study, both affordable and premium clothing retailers are more informed with regards to their customer's expectations and how those expectations should be managed in order to ensure satisfaction and repurchase intention.