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The paper aims to explore the roles and impact of design in incubating and accelerating social enterprises. It aims to understand design’s influence on social enterprise ecosystems and in improving outcomes for social enterprises.

The study used an exploratory, qualitative approach, using case studies and interviews. The comparative case-study methodology was applied to evaluate the influence of design on the development of social enterprises in the UK and South Korea and identify critical issues in their utilisation of design. Empirical data included: in-depth case studies of design utilisation practices (UK = 6; South Korea = 15) and design applications (UK = 2; South Korea = 2) for the growth of social enterprise and its ecosystem; 27 social enterprise/design experts (UK = 17; South Korea = 10); and 22 social enterprises (UK = 12; South Korea = 10). Content and thematic analysis were used to synthesise the findings.

Findings demonstrate the differing influences of design on social enterprise, from improving products/services and business models to enhancing social enterprise ecosystem support and networks. Future directions are suggested for applying design for social enterprise growth, business stage development and systematising interactions between the social enterprise and design sectors.

The research is based on case studies from only two countries. Further, the adoption of working definitions of social enterprise in the countries may result in the research underestimating the heterogeneity of social enterprise.

The findings contribute to optimising efficient ecosystem development to improve social enterprise competitiveness and innovation.

This paper establishes a research foundation on design for social enterprise, offering theoretical and practical insights into its impact on growth.

The purpose of this study is to identify the process of virtual influencer stickiness in the age of influencer marketing, which has received little attention in the literature. This is essential because the research creates a theoretical model of follower loyalty/stickiness to virtual influencer techniques from the standpoint of influencer marketing, which has a substantial effect on the evolution of the global marketing world.

In 2022, 302 people who currently follow an Instafamous virtual influencer took part in an Instagram self-administered online survey.

The findings show that both expertise and trustworthiness have a positive and significant influence on parasocial interaction, which in turn has a significant influence on virtual engagement and stickiness.

This research will specifically assist international readers in understanding how to harness and increase the efficiency and efficacy of interactive marketing strategies and methods to engage and retain followers of Instafamous virtual influencer. Moreover, the findings will be beneficial to opinion leaders, brand managers, company investors, entrepreneurs and service designers.

1. The study pioneers a holistic virtual follower stickiness mechanism that comprises the role of source credibility, parasocial interaction, informational influence and virtual follower’s engagement and their interrelationship to each other.

2. This study is based on parasocial interaction theory and source credibility theory to understand the relationship between virtual followers and influencers stickiness process at social media platforms.

3. In addition, the study examined the subsequent effects of sources of credibility components on parasocial interaction; as well as, on virtual follower engagement and stickiness.

4. This study also categorized and examined the moderating effects exerted by the genres of informative influence of virtual influencer.

The study pioneers a holistic virtual follower stickiness mechanism that comprises the role of source credibility, parasocial interaction, informational influence and virtual follower’s engagement and their interrelationship to each other.

This study is based on parasocial interaction theory and source credibility theory to understand the relationship between virtual followers and influencers stickiness process at social media platforms.

In addition, the study examined the subsequent effects of sources of credibility components on parasocial interaction; as well as, on virtual follower engagement and stickiness.

This study also categorized and examined the moderating effects exerted by the genres of informative influence of virtual influencer.

This study aims to investigate the critical role of online brand community (OBC) engagement and brand evangelism: the role of age, gender and membership number.

To achieve the study’s objective, 303 active Facebook OBC users were surveyed. The AMOS structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to test the hypothesised model.

The results indicate that OBC engagement improves brand evangelism. Specifically, the results show that age, gender, and OBC membership number moderate the relationship between OBC engagement and brand evangelism. Interestingly, this study found that female, younger and low-OBC follower consumers more significantly contribute to nourishing brand evangelism than male, older and high-OBC follower counterparts.

OBC engagement is validated as a key brand evangelism driver, further substantiating its role as a crucial strategic metric. Moreover, age, gender and OBC membership number as moderating factors in the association between OBC engagement and brand evangelism (word of mouth referral, brand defence and future purchases) have been verified. Although the findings suggest that improved OBC engagement contributes to evangelism, this effect transpires more significantly among female, younger and low-OBC followers than male, older and high-OBC followers.

This study aims to enhance the knowledge by offering perspectives from an emerging market by reviewing the existing literature on food tourism. This study applies a multimethod analysis, providing insights into the advancement of food tourism in India, the contributions, critical findings and emerging research themes.

The study adopted a multimethod analysis using descriptive, narrative and bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer to analyze research papers published on food tourism in India shortlisted from Scopus and Google Scholar.

Future research should focus on gauging the potential of food tourism in different regions of the country, applying theoretical frameworks that have not been used. “Culinary Diversity and Heritage,” “Sustainable and Responsible Food Tourism,” “Consumer Behavior and Food Tourism Experiences,” “Rural Development and Economic Impact,” “Technology and Digitalization,” “Stakeholder Collaboration,” “Food Safety and Hygiene” and “Policy and Regulation” were the identified future research themes. These findings are significant for emerging economies across the globe.

This study summarized the progress of food tourism research in India, the contributions and emerging themes, supplementing the need to study food tourism in India. This study contributed methodologically to the literature by adopting a multimethod review combining descriptive, narrative and bibliometric analysis. Finally, by proposing ideas and constructs for future research, this study provides directions for future food tourism research from an emerging market’s perspective.

Findings will assist managers and stakeholders in comprehending the factors influencing tourists, destination marketing and branding, aiding in effective planning and executing food tourism strategies to promote destinations. The identified themes and keywords can help academicians and researchers dwell upon the emerging research themes in food tourism.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study analyzing food tourism research in India adopting a multimethod analysis. The study provides an in-depth analysis applying descriptive, narrative and bibliometric analysis, highlighting the critical trends and research themes. A framework for future studies was also proposed.

该研究旨在通过回顾有关美食旅游的现有文献, 提供来自新兴市场的观点, 从而强化现有的知识。本研究采用多方法分析, 深入了解印度美食旅游的发展、贡献、重要发现和新兴研究主题。

该研究采用了多种方法分析, 使用 VOSviewer 进行描述性、叙述性和文献计量分析, 以分析从 Scopus 和谷歌学术搜索中入围的关于印度美食旅游的研究论文。

未来的研究应侧重于衡量该国不同地区美食旅游的潜力, 应用尚未使用的理论框架。 “烹饪多样性和传统”、“可持续和负责任的美食旅游”、“消费者行为和美食旅游体验”、“农村发展和经济影响”、“技术和数字化”、“利益相关者协作”、“食品安全和卫生”, “政策与法规”是确定的未来研究主题。这些发现对全球新兴经济体具有重要意义。

本研究总结了印度美食旅游研究的进展、贡献和新兴主题, 补充了研究印度美食旅游的必要性。本研究采用结合描述性、叙述性和文献计量分析的多方法回顾, 在方法论上为文献做出了贡献。最后, 通过提出未来研究的思路和结构, 本研究从新兴市场的角度为未来的美食旅游研究提供了方向。

调查结果将帮助管理者和利益相关者理解影响游客、目的地营销和品牌的因素, 帮助有效规划和执行食品旅游战略以促进目的地。 确定的主题和关键词可以帮助院士和研究人员深入研究食品旅游中新兴的研究主题。

El estudio tiene como objetivo mejorar el conocimiento al ofrecer perspectivas de un mercado emergente mediante la revisión de la literatura existente sobre turismo gastronómico. Este estudio aplica un análisis de múltiples métodos, que proporciona información sobre el avance del turismo gastronómico en la India, las contribuciones, los hallazgos críticos y los temas de investigación emergentes.

El estudio adoptó un análisis multimétodo mediante un análisis descriptivo, narrativo y bibliométrico utilizando VOSviewer para analizar los artículos de investigación publicados sobre el turismo gastronómico en la India preseleccionados de Scopus y Google Scholar.

La investigación futura debería centrarse en calibrar el potencial del turismo gastronómico en las distintas regiones del país, aplicando marcos teóricos que no se han utilizado. “Diversidad culinaria y patrimonio”, “Turismo gastronómico sostenible y responsable”, “Comportamiento del consumidor y experiencias de turismo gastronómico”, “Desarrollo rural e impacto económico”, “Tecnología y digitalización”, “Colaboración de las partes interesadas”, “Seguridad e higiene alimentaria”, “Política y regulación” fueron los temas de investigación futura identificados. Estos hallazgos son significativos para las economías emergentes de todo el mundo.

Este estudio resumió el progreso de la investigación sobre turismo alimentario en la India, las contribuciones y los temas emergentes, complementando la necesidad de estudiar el turismo alimentario en la India. Este estudio contribuyó metodológicamente a la bibliografía al adoptar una revisión multimétodo que combina el análisis descriptivo, narrativo y bibliométrico. Por último, al proponer ideas y constructos para futuras investigaciones, este estudio proporciona orientaciones para futuras investigaciones sobre el turismo gastronómico desde la perspectiva de un mercado emergente.

Los resultados ayudarán a los gestores y a las partes interesadas a comprender los factores que influyen en los turistas, el marketing de los destinos y la creación de marcas, contribuyendo a una planificación y ejecución eficaces de las estrategias de turismo gastronómico para promocionar los destinos. Los temas y palabras clave identificados pueden ayudar a los académicos e investigadores a profundizar en los temas de investigación emergentes en el turismo gastronómico.

Se trata del primer estudio que analiza la investigación sobre turismo gastronómico en la India adoptando un análisis multimétodo. El estudio proporciona un análisis en profundidad aplicando un análisis descriptivo, narrativo y bibliométrico, destacando las tendencias críticas y los temas de investigación. También se propone un marco para futuros estudios.

Demonstrate proof-of-concept for conducting NFL Draft trades on a blockchain network using smart contracts.

Using Ethereum smart contracts, the authors model several types of draft trades between teams. An example scenario is used to demonstrate contract interaction and draft results.

The authors show the feasibility of conducting draft-day trades using smart contracts. The entire negotiation process, including side deals, can be conducted digitally.

Further work is required to incorporate the full-scale depth required to integrate the draft trading process into a decentralized user platform and experience.

Cutting time for the trade negotiation process buys decision time for team decision-makers. Gains are also made with accuracy and cost.

Full-scale adoption may find resistance due to the level of fan involvement; the draft has evolved into an interactive experience for both fans and teams.

This research demonstrates the new application of smart contracts in the inter-section of sports management and blockchain technology.

The post-purchase behavioral responses of omnichannel shoppers, who mainly rely on physical stores (acknowledged as a crucial channel in providing a seamless shopping experience and fulfilling the dynamic needs of the shoppers), are still understudied. The purpose of this paper is to examine how integrated store service quality (ISSQ) can contribute to a more optimal shopping experience (cognitive, affective and relational) and have a subsequent impact on shoppers’ psychological ownership toward the store, resulting in the generation of (face-to-face, online and social media) word of mouth (WOM).

The research is descriptive, quantitative and cross-sectional investigation. A purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the study respondents. The data were collected from 786 Indian omnichannel shoppers using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The proposed conceptual model was tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

The results indicate that all three dimensions of omnichannel customer experience (cognitive, affective and relational) positively mediate the relationship between ISSQ and psychological ownership, subsequently impacting all three WOM behaviors of omnichannel shoppers (face-to-face, online store and social media). The customer’s perceived value with the store and their perceived retailer relationship investment significantly moderated the relationship between ISSQ and different WOM behaviors (face-to-face, online store and social media). This research also demonstrated the direct impact of ISSQ on WOM and the indirect impact through different customer experience dimensions and psychological ownership.

The sample used in the study was not probabilistic and, therefore, presents limitations for the possibility of generalizing the results. The study was performed in a cross-sectional methodology in the Indian context; there is a need for longitudinal investigation.

This study addresses the need to investigate different dimensions of omnichannel customer experience that might influence various post-purchase behavioral responses. This study is the first to show that ISSQ might affect omnichannel shoppers' online, offline and social media word-of-mouth behaviors through different customer experience dimensions and the customer’s sense of belongingness to the store. The moderating effect of customer perceived value with the retailer and their perception of retailers’ investment in a relationship on proposed hypotheses was also tested to give managerial recommendations.

To influence consumer pre-purchase decision-making processes, such as brand selection and perceived brand experience, brands are interested in adopting hyperconnected technological stimuli, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality, social media and tech devices. However, the understanding of different hyperconnected touchpoints remained shallow and results mixed in previous literature, despite the fact that these touchpoints span different technological interfaces/devices and may influence consumer brand selection. This paper aims to solidify the conceptual underpinnings of the role of online hyperconnected stimuli, which may influence consumer psychological reactions in terms of brand selection and experience.

This paper is conceptual and presents a discussion based on extant literature from various international publishers.

The authors revealed different technological stimuli in the online hyperconnected environment that may influence consumer online hyperconnected brand selection (OHBS), perceived online hyperconnected brand experience (OHBE), perceived well-being and behavioral intention.

The conceptual understanding of OHBS and perceived OHBE was mixed and inconsistent in previous studies. This paper brings together extant literature to establish the conceptual understanding of antecedents and outcomes of OHBS, i.e. perceived OHBE, perceived well-being and behavioral intention, and presents a cohesive conceptual framework.

This study aims to solve the problem of job scheduling and multi automated guided vehicle (AGV) cooperation in intelligent manufacturing workshops.

In this study, an algorithm for job scheduling and cooperative work of multiple AGVs is designed. In the first part, with the goal of minimizing the total processing time and the total power consumption, the niche multi-objective evolutionary algorithm is used to determine the processing task arrangement on different machines. In the second part, AGV is called to transport workpieces, and an improved ant colony algorithm is used to generate the initial path of AGV. In the third part, to avoid path conflicts between running AGVs, the authors propose a simple priority-based waiting strategy to avoid collisions.

The experiment shows that the solution can effectively deal with job scheduling and multiple AGV operation problems in the workshop.

In this paper, a collaborative work algorithm is proposed, which combines the job scheduling and AGV running problem to make the research results adapt to the real job environment in the workshop.

The aim of this paper is to better understand European consumers' behaviour in relation to Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs), so as to provide insights to support their development as part of a sustainable food system. Specifically, it aims to analyse consumer purchase patterns, motivations and perceived barriers and to identify patterns of behaviour amongst different consumer groups.

An online consumer survey was conducted in 12 European countries (n = 2,419). Quantitative data analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, was undertaken using SPSS.

Four consumer clusters are named according to their behavioural stage in terms of SFSC engagement: Unaware Unengaged, Aware Unengaged, Motivationally Engaged and Executively Engaged. Unaware Unengaged and Aware Unengaged are in the non-engagement phase of behaviour. Motivationally Engaged are motivationally activated to engage in the behaviour but fail to do so consistently. Executively Engaged is the fully engaged cluster, being motivated to act and purchasing local food on a frequent basis. The results show an interesting interplay between motivations and barriers, i.e. higher scores for motivations and lower scores for barriers do not necessarily translate into higher purchase frequency.

The research gleans insights into the contextual factors that may inhibit SFSC purchases in different consumer segments. It offers practical implications for policymakers and others seeking to develop SFSCs as part of a sustainable food system.

This paper aims to examine the health technology use in health information seeking, communication and personal health information management, as well as in the effects they may have on his relationship with the physician and on the consumption of medical resources.

An online survey was conducted. The questionnaires were distributed via online health discussion forums using Google's survey software with a summary presentation of the study’s objective. The final selection of 362 individuals was made using social media, direct email and collaboration with community groups. The empirical validation of the causal model was conducted using the partial least square approach.

The results show that the use of e-health strengthens the quality of the patient–physician relationship and patient empowerment while increasing the consumption of medical resources.

The results of this research indicate that the internet has transformed the relationship of patients to health, to their doctors and to the health-care system. In this new context, a reconsideration of the status of the patient must be considered by health service providers.