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Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Shichang Liang, Rulan Li, Bin Lan, Yuxuan Chu, Min Zhang and Li Li

This study explores how chatbot gender and symbolic service recovery may improve the satisfaction of angry customers in the context of service failures. It provides a strategy for…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores how chatbot gender and symbolic service recovery may improve the satisfaction of angry customers in the context of service failures. It provides a strategy for companies to deploy chatbots effectively in customer anger.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies upon a systematic literature review to propose three hypotheses, and we recruit 826 participants to examine the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers through one lab study and one field study.

Findings

This research shows that female chatbots are more likely to increase the satisfaction of angry customers than male chatbots in service failure scenarios. In addition, symbolic recovery (apology vs. appreciation) moderates the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers. Specifically, male (vs. female) chatbots are more effective in increasing the satisfaction of angry customers when using the apology method, whereas female (vs. male) chatbots are more effective when using the appreciation method.

Originality/value

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of chatbots as virtual agents in the field of interactive marketing. Previous research has concluded that chatbots can reduce negative customer feedback following a service failure. However, these studies have primarily focused on the level of chatbot anthropomorphism and the design of conversational texts, rather than the gender of chatbots. Therefore, this study aims to bridge that gap by examining the effect of chatbot gender on customer feedback, specifically focusing on angry customers following service failures.

Details

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 August 2023

Jinsoo Hwang, Kyu-Hyeon Joo, Heather Markham Kim and Kwang-Woo Lee

The purpose of this study examined the effect of the eight dimensions of consumer innovativeness on brand satisfaction. In addition, this study investigated how brand satisfaction…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study examined the effect of the eight dimensions of consumer innovativeness on brand satisfaction. In addition, this study investigated how brand satisfaction affects brand preference and brand loyalty. Lastly, how brand preference plays to form brand loyalty was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted via an online platform with the participants using an online firm in South Korea to evaluate the proposed research model. The data was collected from 326 people who used a coffee shop where robots provide the services.

Findings

The data analysis results indicated that the five dimensions of consumer innovativeness, which include novelty seeking, openness, quality experience seeking, hedonic experience seeking and social distinctiveness, aid to enhance brand satisfaction. Furthermore, it was discovered that brand satisfaction plays an important role with the formation of brand preference and brand loyalty.

Originality/value

There are few studies which focus how coffee consumers assess the value of a coffee brand. Thus, it would be meaningful to examine what impacts of consumer innovativeness exist in regards to robotic barista services that are related to brand satisfaction, brand preference and brand loyalty.

研究目的

本研究考察了消费者创新性的八个维度对品牌满意度的影响。此外, 本研究还调查了品牌满意度如何影响品牌偏好和品牌忠诚度。最后, 还探讨了品牌偏好在形成品牌忠诚度方面的作用。

研究方法

本研究通过在线平台在韩国进行了一项调查, 参与者使用一家提供机器人服务的咖啡店进行评估。数据收集自326名在该咖啡店使用服务的顾客。

研究发现

数据分析结果表明, 包括新奇寻求、开放性、品质体验寻求、享乐体验寻求和社交独特性在内的五个消费者创新性维度有助于提高品牌满意度。此外, 品牌满意度在品牌偏好和品牌忠诚度的形成中起着重要作用。

研究创新

目前很少有研究关注咖啡消费者如何评估咖啡品牌的价值。因此, 对于与品牌满意度、品牌偏好和品牌忠诚度相关的机器人咖啡师服务消费者创新性影响的研究具有重要意义。

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2023

Sohail Ahmad, Aisha Naz Ansari, Saman Khawaja and Sadia Muzaffar Bhutta

This paper aims to explore contribution of informal learning space - Research Cafe - to enrich research learning experiences of graduate students. Developing strong research…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore contribution of informal learning space - Research Cafe - to enrich research learning experiences of graduate students. Developing strong research skills among graduate students is a prime focus of higher education around the world. Thereby, universities are striving to maximise opportunities that can foster and enrich students’ learning experiences of research; however, the focus is mostly confined to formal opportunities such as research method courses and thesis writing. The provision of informal learning spaces has been recognised as a useful tool for fostering research learning experiences of graduates. This reflective paper is among a few focusing on a model of student-led informal learning space for enriching research experiences in higher education in the context of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a reflective approach to generate a metalogue. The research experiences shared by the participants were further reflected by the authors after each research café session. The authors then shared their collective metacognitive reflections with each other, generating a metalogue, which was used as the data set. The metalogue was analysed thematically to generate themes.

Findings

Findings reveal that the research café is an informal space to promote academic socialisation by providing a conducive environment, peer support and informal supervision opportunities to foster the research learning experiences of graduate students. Importantly, the model presented in this paper provides a complimentary pathway for boosting learning experiences.

Research limitations/implications

This paper would be useful for graduate students, faculty and university manager to acknowledge the potential of informal learning spaces in promoting research learning experiences. This paper highlights opportunities for replication, and further empirical research are needed to establish the efficacy of research café.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the global debate about graduate research learning experiences through informal learning space, which is yet to be explored, particularly in developing contexts like Pakistan. The idea of the research café is original, as it was conceived keeping in consideration the contextual and cultural aspects. The methodology used in this paper was specifically derived which can be replicated by other researchers.

Details

Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, vol. 14 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4686

Keywords

Case study
Publication date: 1 March 2024

Mokhalles Mohammad Mehdi, Nitesh Kumar, Manish Srivastava, Sunildro L.S. Akoijam and Tridib Ranjan Sarma

The case study aims to provide students with an understanding of the challenges a business faces when operating in India. In conclusion of this study, students should be able to…

Abstract

Learning outcomes

The case study aims to provide students with an understanding of the challenges a business faces when operating in India. In conclusion of this study, students should be able to know why franchising is such a common way of delivering services to end users, describe the “place” decisions of physical channels, and be familiar with the strategic and tactical location considerations and devise a growth strategy to expand the business.

Case overview/synopsis

Situated at Tito’s Lane in North Goa, Tito’s was the discotheque founded by Tito Henry D’Souza in 1971. The company offered restaurant, concert space and nightclub services to music and party lovers from diverse locations. Ricardo D’Souza and David D’Souza (both brothers) spearheaded the business. Ricardo understood the growth of markets and the factors driving the growth in India. The key factors driving the Tito’s and pub, bar, café and lounge business in India were rising disposable incomes among Indians, nightlife parties by young individuals and preference for quality food and alcoholic beverages among the customers. By seeing the opportunities in 2022, Ricardo considered expanding its business across India. How should Ricardo move to expand its business and offerings? What strategies should they devise for the growth of the business?

Complexity academic level

This case study is designed for use in undergraduate programs like Bachelor of Business Administration. It is ideal for strategy and services marketing. Theoretical frameworks like the Ansoff matrix are suitable for analyzing the case study to understand the growth of the business.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.

Details

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, vol. 14 no. 1
Type: Case Study
ISSN: 2045-0621

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 May 2022

Meryem Uluskan

This study aims to show the effectiveness and applicability of artificial intelligence applications in the measurement and evaluation of university services. Universities can gain…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to show the effectiveness and applicability of artificial intelligence applications in the measurement and evaluation of university services. Universities can gain competitive advantage through providing their students with quality services in various aspects, such as bookstores, dormitories, recreation centers as well as cafeterias. Among these facilities, university cafeterias are places where students spend a significant amount of time. Therefore, this study aims to integrate artificial intelligence application in the evaluation of university cafeteria services based on students' perceptions with two-stage structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

An artificial intelligence based SEM-ANN hybrid approach was used to determine the factors that have significant influence on student satisfaction, sufficiency-of-services and likelihood-of-recommendation. Data were collected from 373 students through a face-to-face questionnaire. Initially, four service quality dimensions were attained through factor analysis. Then, hypotheses, which were determined via literature review, were tested through SEM-ANN hybrid approach.

Findings

Incorporating the results of SEM analysis into the ANN technique resulted in superior models with good prediction performance. Based on four ANN models created and ANN sensitivity analyses conducted, significant predictors of satisfaction, sufficiency, reliability and recommendation are determined and ranked.

Originality/value

Prior studies have assessed service quality using traditional techniques, whereas, this study integrates artificial intelligence in the assessment of higher-educational institutions' services quality. Also, as a distinction from previous studies, this study ranked importance levels of predictor variables through ANN sensitivity analysis.

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2023

Bang Nguyen-Viet and Nguyen My Phuc

Customer incivility is a key phenomenon with various harmful consequences for businesses, particularly in the food and beverage industry. This study investigated the antecedents…

Abstract

Purpose

Customer incivility is a key phenomenon with various harmful consequences for businesses, particularly in the food and beverage industry. This study investigated the antecedents of this issue and explored its outcomes for frontline employees in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used quantitative methodology to survey 780 participants who frequently experienced customer incivility in cafés and bubble tea shops. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the data.

Findings

The results revealed three antecedents of customer incivility – employee incivility, selling and customer orientation – as well as outcomes such as revenge motivation, emotional exhaustion, service sabotage and job performance, along with two mediating effects.

Practical implications

Managers can create and enhance additional training classes with varied curricula for different staff groups to foster their perspectives and understand an organization's customer orientation, eliminating vengeance motives, emotional strain, service sabotage and workplace performance.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the importance of customer incivility and how it can be minimized by examining its causes and consequences in Vietnamese cafés and bubble tea shops.

Details

Evidence-based HRM: a Global Forum for Empirical Scholarship, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2049-3983

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 March 2024

Elgazzar Iman Mahmoud Khalil

At the beginning of the 21st century, a new class of information workers, the “information have-less” has risen. This class of workers alleviates the influence of information and…

Abstract

Purpose

At the beginning of the 21st century, a new class of information workers, the “information have-less” has risen. This class of workers alleviates the influence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) revolution on poverty and unemployment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of this class of workers in Egypt and assess the size and potential growth of this category of workers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study clarifies the conceptual framework of the new division of labor, in the information age. The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Information and Decision Support Center websites provided secondary data for this study. These data are used to assess the size of “the information have less” in Egypt.

Findings

The division of work and class, in the 21st century, depends on the level of skills possessed to work with ICTs. So, class and labor nowadays could be divided into self-programmable labor (Innovators). Information have-less labor class, adding value to the economy by learning skills and presenting repetitive work. Generic labor class, who cannot work with ICTs, and work in jobs, that do not need computers or other ICTs. The study has shown that the “information have-less” labor class is present in Egypt since the beginning of the 21st century, in all its categories; entrepreneurism, the service sector and the manufacturing sector. There are approximately 50% of this labor class in the service sector and only 13% of the information have-less works in manufacturing sector despite the great opportunities that Egypt has to expand manufacturing to absorb more employment. The inclusion of information technology (IT), in all domains, has not decreased employment in Western countries but has reallocated information have-less employment toward the service sector, and there would probably be the same effect in Egypt.

Practical implications

The study highlights the need for Egyptian policymakers to encourage the manufacturing and service sectors to provide huge working opportunities. The Egyptian government has to change the educational policies, at all stages, to include digital learning skills so IT can be incorporated in a wide range of economic activities. Further research includes: conducting a survey to measure the contribution of the entrepreneurial part of the information have-less employment in Egypt. In addition, a model may be developed, by the researcher to examine the reallocation of employees in Egypt.

Originality/value

Studying employment, in Egypt, using the conceptual framework of the information age is rarely being done.

Details

Review of Economics and Political Science, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2356-9980

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2023

Rand H.M. Agha and Amna Nassir Hussein

This paper aims to shed light on adaptive reuse in traditional architecture (TA) in Erbil, Iraq.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to shed light on adaptive reuse in traditional architecture (TA) in Erbil, Iraq.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive approach and qualitative method were used in this study. The inductive research approach was used because there was no clear image of adaptive reuse in traditional cafés (TCs) in Erbil. Besides, there are no studies of TCs in Erbil particularly. Thus, there is a lack of knowledge about what adaptations took place in TCs in Erbil. The qualitative method extracted themes and issues from case studies of four TCs in Erbil citadel's buffer zone. This included a physical survey and observation of the TCs in Erbil and 18 semi-structured interviews with the owners, servers and visitors.

Findings

The analysis shows the flexibility of the TCs in Erbil as a face of adaptive re-use (AR) which is explained through the capacity linked to space modifications, the addition of modern devices, the function linked to space modifications, service addition, the condition linked to space modifications and the addition of modern devices. Also, TCs in Erbil has a spatial identity and architectural value that proves it is worthy enough to be preserved through unique spirituality linked to preserving the place.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to the cases of TCs in mountain regain and may not be applicable or appropriate to other cafés in other different countries.

Originality/value

There are three aspects of authenticity in the current research. Firstly, the TCs in Erbil have not been studied before. Secondly, TCs that have been discovered have made AR of themselves whilst maintaining their original function-serving beverages, to stimulate creativity. Thirdly, most of the studies of AR have dealt with historical and heritage architecture, whilst the current research paper is dealing with TA.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 42 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 September 2022

Noor Alyani Nor Azazi, Maslina Mohammed Shaed, Mohamad Shaharudin Samsurijan and Andrew Ebekozien

The development of higher learning institutions (HLIs) is considered a strategy to trigger urban space development – and it is the economy in most developing countries. HLIs can…

Abstract

Purpose

The development of higher learning institutions (HLIs) is considered a strategy to trigger urban space development – and it is the economy in most developing countries. HLIs can develop and maintain pace with the experience economy in the current urban economy, particularly in the services sector. This paper seeks to evaluate the influence of HLIs on elements of the experience economy in the urban services sector in Bandar Baru Bangi (BBB), a knowledge-based city.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a purposive sampling technique and engaged 382 urban community respondents in BBB, Malaysia. The study used four elements (education, gastronomy, health, and the retail sectors) to assess the experience economy performance.

Findings

The results show that the local community is the “active users” of the services, and the active users have enjoyed the existence of the experience economy. Findings reveal a preference for education and health over gastronomy and retail sectors. Of these four sectors, the education sector experience had the most prominent effect, thereby showing that the higher learning institutions around this city served a major role in the sector development of urban services.

Research limitations/implications

The research used a purposive sampling method and engaged 382 respondents in BBB, Malaysia. The restriction of the study area to BBB is a limitation component. Future studies should explore a large-scale investigation to evaluate better and validate the results.

Practical implications

The research has shown that the city's higher education institutions have affected the development of the experience economy in the four sectors.

Originality/value

The study shows that the framework of the experience economy and the establishment of HLIs can stimulate the experience economy within the urban services sector.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 June 2023

Sarah Page

This paper aims to provide reflective practice insights on the use of the participatory approaches of World Café and Forum Theatre as crime prevention education and research tools…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide reflective practice insights on the use of the participatory approaches of World Café and Forum Theatre as crime prevention education and research tools with young people and young adults through a social learning theory lens.

Design/methodology/approach

Four independent case-studies showcase World Café and Forum Theatre methodology. World Café events investigated new psychoactive substances (NPS) awareness with young hostel users and college pupils (N = 22) and race hate crime with school and college pupils (N = 57). Forum Theatre events explored loan shark crime with college and university students (N = 46) and domestic abuse crime with young hostel users and college and university students (N = 28). Anonymous survey data produced qualitative and descriptive statistical data.

Findings

Learning impacts from participatory crime prevention education and research events were evidenced. Participatory approaches were perceived positively, although large group discussion-based methodologies may not suit all young people or all criminological topics.

Originality/value

Participatory approaches of World Café and Forum Theatre are vehicles for social learning and crime prevention with young people and young adults; eliciting crime victimisation data; and generating personal solutions alongside wider policy and practice improvement suggestions. Whilst World Café elicited greater lived experience accounts providing peer-level social learning, Forum Theatre provided crucial visual role modelling for communicating safeguarding messages.

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