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1 – 10 of over 9000Junyun Liao, Jiawen Chen and Fei Jin
Recent years have witnessed the popularity of social free sampling (SFS). That is, firms on social commerce platforms (e.g. Amazon Vine and Pconline Try) offer free sample…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent years have witnessed the popularity of social free sampling (SFS). That is, firms on social commerce platforms (e.g. Amazon Vine and Pconline Try) offer free sample products for consumers' applications, and the selected applicants are required to write a product trial report on the sites as a return. The main advantage of SFS is to leverage users' product trial reports to increase product exposure and attract prospective consumers. Thus, product trial reports play a central role in SFS. Despite that scholars have examined the rating bias of product trial reports in recent years' knowledge concerning how product trial reports influence user (i.e. readers of product trial reports) engagement remains sparse. To address the research gap, this paper aims to examine the drivers of user engagement with product trial reports.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilized the Poisson regression model to analyze 3,419 trial reports collected from a well-known Chinese SFS site.
Findings
Based on the ELM model, the empirical results indicate that product rating, vividness, opinion balance, and reputation of the trial user are positively associated with user engagement. However, longer reports and reports with higher emotional intensity lead to weaker user engagement. Furthermore, product prices strengthen the positive impact of opinion balance but weaken the positive impact of trial users' reputations.
Originality/value
This study is among one of the first studies to investigate the impact of trial reports on user engagement in SFS. It yields actionable guidelines for SFS campaigns.
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Natália Lemos, Cândida Sofia Machado and Cláudia Cardoso
The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the health-care industry and enabled the emergence of m-Health solutions such as health apps. The viability and success of…
Abstract
Purpose
The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the health-care industry and enabled the emergence of m-Health solutions such as health apps. The viability and success of these apps depends on the definition of a monetization model appropriate to their specificities. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to study the mechanisms of monetization of health apps, to stablish how alternative revenues determine if a health app is to be free or paid.
Design/methodology/approach
Probability models are used to identify the factors that explain if a health app is free or paid.
Findings
Results show that the presence of alternative monetization mechanisms negatively impacts the likelihood of a health app being paid for. The use of personal data to customize advertising (the monetization of “privacy capital”) or the inclusion of ads on the app are alternative means of monetization with potential to decrease the likelihood of a health app being paid for. The possibility of in-app purchases has a lower negative impact on the probability of a health app being paid for. The choice of platform to commercialize an app is also a strategic decision that influences the likelihood of an app being paid for.
Originality/value
This work stands out for bringing together the two largest platforms present in Portugal and for focusing on the perspective of revenue and monetization of health apps and not on the perspective of downloads.
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Aniela Kusber, Rafał Józef Gaida, Katarzyna Dziubek and Marian Wit
This study aims to investigate the influence of commercially available resins in water-based magenta pigment inkjet ink formulations on the properties of ink printability and the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the influence of commercially available resins in water-based magenta pigment inkjet ink formulations on the properties of ink printability and the characteristics of ink application in food packaging. The impact of the resin on the jettability of the existing printability phase diagrams was also assessed.
Design/methodology/approach
Inks with different resin loadings were tested for selected properties, such as viscosity, particle size and surface tension. Stability was determined using a Turbiscan AGS turbidimeter and LumiFuge photocentrifuge analyzer. The ink layer fastness against abrasion and foodstuffs was evaluated using an Ugra device and according to PN-EN 646, respectively. JetXpert was used to assess Ricoh printhead jetting performance.
Findings
Printability diagrams successfully characterized the jettability of polyurethane inkjet inks on a multi-nozzle printhead and the binder improved droplet formation and printing precision.
Originality/value
Magenta water-based inkjet inks with commercial resins have been developed for printing on paper substrates. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, inkjet ink stability was evaluated using the Turbiscan AGS and LumiFuge analyzers, and jettability models were verified using an industrial multi-nozzle printhead.
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Cherouk Amr Yassin and Ana Maria Soares
Drawing upon the elaboration likelihood model, this study aims to illuminate contradictory findings from previous research regarding the impact of positive and negative emotions…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the elaboration likelihood model, this study aims to illuminate contradictory findings from previous research regarding the impact of positive and negative emotions, as well as promotions, on impulse buying (IB). Specifically, this study takes a two-faceted approach to IB, considering both affective IB and cognitive IB.
Design/methodology/approach
A proposed model of IB is tested using a mall intercept survey.
Findings
The findings provide evidence for the two-dimensional nature of IB. Cognitive and affective IB are affected differently by promotions and emotions, and in turn, have different impacts on cognitive dissonance (CD). Specifically, promotions have a positive effect only on cognitive IB, while positive emotions have a positive effect only on affective IB. Additionally, cognitive IB positively affects CD, while affective IB does not.
Research limitations/implications
Future research could explore different types of IB and unplanned purchases, consider the valence and arousal dimensions of emotions and examine how technological changes impact IB. Additionally, studying satisfaction as a mediator between IB and cognitive dissonance can contribute to the understanding of IB post-purchase outcomes.
Practical implications
By tailoring promotional techniques to cognitive IB and using positive emotions to stimulate affective IB, retailers can enhance the effectiveness of strategies. Furthermore, post-purchase strategies can be developed to reduce the negative effects of CD.
Originality/value
By exploring the different dimensions of IB and their relationships with CD, this study enhances our understanding of the underlying processes and mechanisms that drive consumer IB behavior during and after shopping trips.
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural relationship model among narcissism, work centrality, employee engagement and discretionary effort.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the structural relationship model among narcissism, work centrality, employee engagement and discretionary effort.
Design/methodology/approach
Respecting the quantitative approach, the data were gathered by means of the survey completed by 1,190 respondents of Generation X, Y and Z working in the Thai service and manufacturing industries.
Findings
The findings of the study indicated positive associations between narcissism and work centrality, narcissism and employee engagement, work centrality and employee engagement and employee engagement and discretionary effort. It was observed that work centrality played a partially mediating role in the relationships between narcissism and employee engagement, while employee engagement fully mediated the associations between work centrality and discretionary effort, as well as between narcissism and discretionary effort. The structural model demonstrated variations across different generational cohorts, suggesting that the relationships differed among generations. However, the model did not exhibit any variations across different types of industries. Furthermore, the findings from the Thai samples indicated that generational differences had a moderating effect on the path relationships between narcissism and work centrality (with Generation Y having a stronger effect compared to Generation Z and Generation X), narcissism and employee engagement (with Generation Y having a stronger effect compared to Generation Z and Generation X) and narcissism and discretionary effort (with Generation X having a stronger effect compared to Generation Y and Generation Z), all with a significance level of 95%. Additionally, the relationship between employee engagement and discretionary effort showed a significant difference across generations, with Generation Z exhibiting a stronger effect compared to Generation Y and Generation X, at a significance level of 99%.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence supporting the positive relationships between narcissism and work centrality, as well as narcissism and employee engagement, contrary to previous research findings. The results reveal that employee engagement fully mediates the associations between work centrality and discretionary effort, as well as between narcissism and discretionary effort, offering valuable contributions to the existing literature. Furthermore, this study expands on previous research by examining the moderating effect of industry type, specifically comparing manufacturing and service industries. The findings suggest that the model exhibits variations across different generational cohorts, highlighting the importance of considering generational differences in understanding these relationships. However, the model does not exhibit variations across different types of industries.
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Cryptomarkets have expanded rapidly since the launch of Silk Road in 2011, offering a significant new mode for the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. One of the key questions…
Abstract
Cryptomarkets have expanded rapidly since the launch of Silk Road in 2011, offering a significant new mode for the sale and distribution of illicit drugs. One of the key questions accompanying the proliferation of cryptomarkets and online drug distribution concerns how these unique online fora alter relationships between drug suppliers and their customers. Existing research points to an increase in perceptions of safety and respect among people who use cryptomarkets to purchase drugs relative to other ‘offline’ modes of drug acquisition. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that drug suppliers are also attracted to cryptomarkets by perceptions of increased safety, as well as by market norms and institutional processes that are characterised by respect and courteous engagement. These issues fall broadly under what has been termed market ‘gentrification’ – that is, the substitution of offline drug market norms, which are sometimes characterised by violence, intimidation, suspicion, and exploitation, with relative feelings of safety, respect, and courtesy. This chapter explores the ‘gentrification hypothesis’ and examines how the unique structural characteristics of cryptomarkets, which include user feedback and ratings, dispute resolution systems, and administrator and community ‘policing’ of cryptomarkets, as well as online discussion forums, assist in fostering the development of pro-social norms that appear to be prevalent on cryptomarkets.
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Shengxian Yu, Shanshi Liu, Xiaoxiao Gong, Wenzhu Lu and Chang-e Liu
Drawing on the social information processing theory, this study aims to adopt a moderated mediation model to investigate the mediation role of cognitive crafting and the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the social information processing theory, this study aims to adopt a moderated mediation model to investigate the mediation role of cognitive crafting and the moderation role of regulatory focus in the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and employee innovative behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire study with 181 employees from a state-owned communications technology company in China was conducted through a two-wave survey, with a one-month lagged design. The model is tested through confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis and PROCESS bootstrapping program in SPSS24.0 and AMOS22.0 software.
Findings
This study confirms that perceived deviance tolerance is positively related to innovative behavior, while cognitive crafting mediates the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and innovative behavior. Furthermore, the promotion focus positively moderates the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and cognitive crafting, and higher promotion focus enhances the mediating effect of cognitive crafting on the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and innovative behavior. The prevention focus negatively moderates the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and cognitive crafting, and higher prevention focus weakens the mediating effect of cognitive crafting on the relationship between perceived deviance tolerance and innovative behavior.
Practical implications
Organizations need to establish a tolerant and inclusive management system and create a harmonious working atmosphere to provide a platform basis to inspire the innovative behavior of employees. Also, regulatory focus variables are suggested to be considered in organizational human resource management processes (e.g. recruitment and training) to improve organizational person–job fit.
Originality/value
The primary contribution of this study is to confirm that perceived deviance tolerance has a positive impact on innovation behavior and thereby providing a new perspective to understand the impact effect of perceived deviance tolerance. Another contribution the study explores the mechanisms and boundary conditions of perceived deviance tolerance on innovative behavior fills the theoretical gap of perceived deviance tolerance.
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Grainne Dilleen, Ethel Claffey, Anthony Foley and Kevin Doolin
This paper aims to investigate how actors in the farmer’s network influence the adoption of smart farming technology (SFT) and to understand how social media affects this adoption…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate how actors in the farmer’s network influence the adoption of smart farming technology (SFT) and to understand how social media affects this adoption process, in particular focusing on the influence of social media on trust in knowledge dissemination within the network.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used a two-stage process, with semi-structured interviews of farmers, augmented by a netnographic approach appropriate to the social media context.
Findings
The analysis illustrates the key role of the farmer network in the dissemination of SFT knowledge, bringing insight into an important B2B context. While social media emerges as a valuable way to connect farmers and promote discussion, it remains underused in knowledge dissemination on SFT. Also, farmers exhibit more trust in the content from peers online rather than from SFT vendors.
Originality/value
Novel insights are gained into the influence of the farming network on the accelerated adoption of SFT, including the potential role of social media in mitigating the homophilous nature of peer-to-peer interactions among farmers through exposure to more diverse actors and information. The use of a social network theory lens has provided new insights into the role of trust in shaping social media influence on the farmer, with variances in farmer trust of information from technology vendors and from peers.
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Santosh Kumar Sahu, P.S. Rama Sreekanth, Y.P. Deepthi, Quanjin Ma and Tunji John Erinle
This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of sustainable recycled polypropylene (rPP) composite materials integrated with spherical silicon carbide (SiC) particles.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of sustainable recycled polypropylene (rPP) composite materials integrated with spherical silicon carbide (SiC) particles.
Design/methodology/approach
A representative volume element (RVE) analysis is employed to predict the Young’s modulus of rPP filled with spherical-shaped SiC at varying volume percentages (i.e. 10, 20 and 30%).
Findings
The investigation reveals that the highest values of Young’s modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength and mode 1 frequency are observed for the 30% rPP/SiC samples, exhibiting increases of 115, 116, 62 and 15%, respectively, compared to pure rPP. Fractography analysis confirms the ductile nature of pure rPP and the brittle behavior of the 30% rPP/SiC composite. Moreover, the RVE method predicts Young’s modulus more accurate than micromechanical models, aligning closely with experimental results. Additionally, results from ANSYS simulation tests show tensile strength, flexural strength and frequency within a 10% error range when compared to experimental data.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the field by demonstrating the mechanical enhancements achievable through the incorporation of sustainable materials like rPP/SiC, thereby promoting environmentally friendly engineering solutions.
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Abhishek Kansal, Akshay Dvivedi and Pradeep Kumar
The purpose of this study to investigate the organized porous network zinc (OPNZ) scaffolds. Their mechanical characteristics, surface roughness and fracture mechanism were…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study to investigate the organized porous network zinc (OPNZ) scaffolds. Their mechanical characteristics, surface roughness and fracture mechanism were assessed in relation to their structural properties. The prospects of fused deposition modeling (FDM) for printing metal scaffolds via rapid tooling have also been studied.
Design/methodology/approach
Zn scaffolds with different pore and strut sizes were manufactured via the rapid tooling method. This method is a multistep process that begins with the 3D printing of a polymer template. Later, a paraffin template was obtained from the prepared polymer template. Finally, this paraffin template was used to fabricate the Zn scaffold using microwave sintering. The characterization of prepared Zn samples involved structural characterization, microstructural study, surface roughness testing and compression testing. Moreover, based on the Gibson–Ashby model analysis, the model equations’ constant values were evaluated, which can help in predicting the mechanical properties of Zn scaffolds.
Findings
The scanning electron microscopy study confirmed that the fabricated sample pores were open and interconnected. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the Zn scaffold contained hexagonal closed-packed Zn peaks related to the a-Zn phase, validating that scaffolds were free from contamination and impurity. The range for ultimate compressive strength, compressive modulus and plateau stresses for Zn samples were found to be 6.75–39 MPa, 0.14–3.51 GPa and 1.85–12.6 MPa by adjusting their porosity, which are comparable with the cancellous bones. The average roughness value for the Zn scaffolds was found to be 1.86 µm.
Originality/value
This research work can widen the scope for extrusion-based FDM printers for fabricating biocompatible and biodegradable metal Zn scaffolds. This study also revealed the effects of scaffold structural properties like porosity, pore and strut size effect on their mechanical characteristics in view of tissue engineering applications.
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