How smart technology empowers consumers in smart retail stores? The perspective of technology readiness and situational factors

2023 | Electronic Markets | Citations: 0

Authors: Chen, Jiahe; Chang, Yu-Wei

Abstract: Smart retail stores have been gaining momentum in smart retailing. Instead of re ... Expand

Abstract: Smart retail stores have been gaining momentum in smart retailing. Instead of relying on in-store staff like traditional counterparts, smart retail stores provide an unmanned environment purely enabled by various in-store smart technologies that support customers throughout the shopping journey. This unstaffed operating model also enables smart retail stores to provide competitive prices by reducing labor costs. However, studies have overemphasized the unique value offered by smart technology but discounted the common value strengthened in smart retail. This study applies the situational factor framework to identify both unique and common factors empowered by smart technology from a comprehensive perspective; then, technology readiness is incorporated to explore consumer purchase intentions in smart retail stores. A total of 283 survey data were collected and analyzed. The main results indicate that most situational factors have a direct effect on purchase intention, and technology readiness enhances the unique situational factors enabled directly by smart technology. Collapse

Topics: business model innovation management price management accounting

Methods: survey structural equation modeling statistical power analysis partial least squares regression partial least squares path modeling

The crowd against the few: Measuring the impact of expert recommendations

2020 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Herm-Stapelberg, Nils; Rothlauf, Franz

Abstract: A large amount of research on recommender systems has focused on improving the a ... Expand

Abstract: A large amount of research on recommender systems has focused on improving the accuracy of suggestions in offline settings. However, this focus and the commonly used techniques can lead to a “filter bubble”, severely limiting the diversity of content discovered by users. Several offline studies show that this can be mitigated by using experts for recommendation. In contrast to standard recommender systems, experts are able to generate more diverse recommendations and increase the novelty of given suggestions. They can be used in missing-data or cold-start scenarios and reduce noise in the users' ratings. This paper examines the impact of employed experts' recommendations on user behavior for a real-world recommender system on a popular video-on-demand website, provided by a large television network. We study whether the potential benefits of experts lead to differences in user behavior, user perceptions and properties of given recommendations (e.g., diversity). We find that enriching a state-of-the-art system with the suggestions of employed experts can significantly increase platform use. Even though expert recommendations are used less frequently and are less successful than ex­ pected, users watch a greater number of clips, use more recommendations, and come back to the website more frequently when they receive expert suggestions. When searching for other influencing factors, we find that experts generate more diverse recommendations and improve the taste coverage of the system keeping user satisfaction unaffected. In summary, our results show large benefits of using employed experts and have im­ plications for the design and use of recommender systems in real-world scenarios. Collapse

Topics: user behavior digital service video streaming service recommender system website

Methods: experimental group survey computational algorithm experiment naïve bayes

Use of online information and suitability of target in shoplifting: A routine activity based analysis

2018 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 2

Authors: Lee, Jaeung; de Guzman, Melchor C.; Talebi, Nasim; Korni, Swaroop Kumar; Szumigala, Donald; Rao, H. Raghav

Abstract: Shoplifting is the largest contributor to inventory depletion in the US retail s ... Expand

Abstract: Shoplifting is the largest contributor to inventory depletion in the US retail sector. To effectively mitigate and prevent such criminal activity, one needs to understand the shoplifter's perspectives on the suitability of the retail products targeted for shoplifting. Extending Routine Activity Theory (RAT) from criminology literature to include usefulness of online information, we analyze shoplifters' perceptions regarding future target suitability by considering a retail item's value, inertia, visibility, and accessibility (VIVA). We also examine how online information about a target's disposal and guardianship can influence shoplifters' decisions. In this paper, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used to analyze data collected in the Western New York area over a one-year period. The results show positive effects of value and reverse inertia on target suitability. Interestingly, the relationship between target suitability and the usefulness of online information about post-shoplifting disposal activity was negative. Implications for future research and practical applications for shoplifting prevention are discussed. Collapse

Topics: decision making website criminality missing data internet technology

Methods: survey partial least squares regression theory development survey design factor analysis

Theories: activity theory

Big data technologies: An empirical investigation on their adoption, benefits and risks for companies

2018 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 39

Authors: Raguseo, Elisabetta

Abstract: Companies currently have to deal with profound changes in the way they manage th ... Expand

Abstract: Companies currently have to deal with profound changes in the way they manage their business, their customers and their business models, since they are overrun by a data-driven revolution in management. This revolution is due to the wide availability of big data and the fast evolution of big data technologies. Big data is recognized as one of the most important areas of future technology, and is fast gaining the attention of many industries, since it can provide high value to companies. This article investigates the adoption levels of big data technologies in companies, and the big data sources used by them. This article also points out the most frequently recognized strategic, transactional, transformational and informational benefits and risks related to the usage of big data technologies by companies. In order to achieve these aims, the paper looks at the differences that exist among companies of different sizes, by comparing medium-sized and large companies, and the differences among companies of different industrial sectors. It provides evidence that only in a few cases these differences are significant. This study could serve as a reference for managers who wish to initiate an evaluation cycle on the adoption and usage of big data technologies. Collapse

Topics: big data Chief Information Officer radio frequency identification Apache Hadoop MapReduce

Methods: survey Kruskal Wallis test exploratory data analysis machine learning nonparametric test

The Impact of Online Product Reviews on Product Returns

2018 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 43

Authors: Sahoo, Nachiketa; Dellarocas, Chrysanthos; Srinivasan, Shuba

Abstract: Although many researchers in information systems and marketing have studied the ... Expand

Abstract: Although many researchers in information systems and marketing have studied the effect of product reviews on sales, few have looked at their effect on product returns. We hypothesize that, by reducing product uncertainty, product reviews affect the probability of product returns. We elaborate this hypothesis starting with an analytical model that examines how changes in valence and precision of information from product reviews influence the purchase and return probabilities of risk-averse, but rational, consumers. We then empirically test our hypotheses using a transaction-level data set from a multichannel, multibrand North American specialty retailer. Harnessing different consumers’ purchases and returns of the same products, but with varying sets of product reviews over two years, we show that the availability of more reviews and the presence of more “helpful” reviews, as voted by consumers, lead to fewer product returns—after controlling for customer, product, and other context-related factors. Analyzing the purchase behavior of the consumers, we find that when fewer product reviews are available, consumers buy more substitutes in conjunction with a product, potentially to mitigate their uncertainty. Purchase of substitutes, in turn, leads to more product returns. Finally, leveraging a discontinuity in the displayed average ratings, we find that when products are shown with an average rating that is higher than the true rating, they are returned more often. These results support the predictions of our theoretical model—unbiased online reviews indeed help consumers make better purchase decisions, leading to lower product returns; biasing reviews upward results in more returns. The presence of online reviews has important cost implications for the firm beyond the cost of reprocessing the returns; we observe that when consumers return products, they are more likely to write online reviews and that these reviews are more negative than reviews that follow a nonreturned purchase.The online appendix is available at https://doi-org.tudelft.idm.oclc.org/10.1287/isre.2017.0736. Collapse

Topics: online review logistics management user-generated content electronic mail consumer behavior

Methods: product review mathematical model regression analysis method econometric modeling statistical hypothesis test

Balancing exploration and exploitation of IT resources: The influence of Digital Business Intensity on perceived organizational performance

2017 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 93

Authors: Nwankpa, J.K.; Datta, P.

Abstract: Facing a barrage of novel information technology (IT), organizations must invest ... Expand

Abstract: Facing a barrage of novel information technology (IT), organizations must invest on the basis of the impact of IT capabilities on the organization's performance. This research extends Bharadwaj's (MIS Quarterly 169-196, 2000) resource-based view of the relationship between IT capability and performance by introducing both the mediating and moderating effects of Digital Business Intensity (DBI). Empirical data collected from CIO's from US firms reveal that although IT capability positively influences organizational performance, this relationship may differ in strength at different levels of DBI. Our study also finds that IT capability is important in determining DBI, which in turn influences organizational performance. Findings highlight tensions between DBI exploration and IT capabilities exploitation. Results also suggest that companies that leverage their existing IT capabilities to drive DBI are more adept at securing performance returns. However, when DBI investments do not complement existing IT capabilities, DBI appears to dampen performance, further accentuated for high-DBI firms. © 2017 The OR Society. Collapse

Topics: information technology capability organizational productivity missing data information technology infrastructure boundary spanning

Methods: survey partial least squares regression survey design data transformation regression analysis method

Theories: resource based view of the firm organizational behavior theory

Institutional pressures in security management: Direct and indirect influences on organizational investment in information security control resources

2015 | Information & Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Cavusoglu, Huseyin; Cavusoglu, Hasan; Son, Jai-Yeol; Benbasat, Izak

Abstract: To offer theoretical explanations of why differences exist in the level of infor ... Expand

Abstract: To offer theoretical explanations of why differences exist in the level of information security control resources (ISCR) among organizations, we develop a research model by applying insights obtained from resource-based theory of the firm and institutional theory. The results, based on data collected through a survey of 241 organizations, generally support our research model. Institutional pressures and internal security needs assessment (ISNA) significantly explain the variation in organizational investment in ISCR. Specifically, coercive and normative pressures are found to have not only a direct impact but also an indirect impact through ISNA on organizational investment in ISCR. Collapse

Topics: data security information technology capability human resource management IT security threat IT manager

Methods: survey partial least squares regression statistical hypothesis test Student's t-test psychometrics

Theories: institutional theory transaction cost economics resource based view of the firm

Getting the most out of third party trust seals: An empirical analysis

2015 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 11

Authors: Özpolat, Koray; Jank, Wolfgang

Abstract: Electronic markets have successfully adopted third party trust seals as a self-r ... Expand

Abstract: Electronic markets have successfully adopted third party trust seals as a self-regulatory mechanism to enhance consumer trust. While there exist many papers supporting the effectiveness of trust signals, interaction between trusts seals and contextual factors in e-commerce (e.g., value of shopping carts, number of trust seals displayed, shopper experience and retailer's sales volume) is an underexplored area. In this study, we exploit a dataset of over a quarter million of online transactions across 493 online retailers collected from randomized field experiments. A large trust seal provider conducted the experiments and subsequently shared the dataset with us. Our main contribution is the demonstration of four variables moderating the effectiveness of trust seals on the likelihood of purchase completion. More specifically, our work shows that trust seals are more effective for small online retailers and new shoppers, thus serving as partial substitutes for both shopper experience and seller's sales volume. Interestingly, we find that the presence of too many (i.e., more than two) seals can lower the likelihood of purchase completion. Our findings also show that trust seals are more effective for higher value shopping carts but only in the latter stages of the shopping cycle. Finally, we discuss the implications of our findings for online retailers, third party certifiers, as well as for policy makers. Collapse

Topics: website electronic commerce electronic mail web application logistics management

Methods: experiment randomized field experiment descriptive statistic statistical hypothesis test field experiment

Store selection criteria and sales prediction in virtual worlds

2014 | Information & Management | Citations: 7

Authors: Krasonikolakis, Ioannis; Vrechopoulos, Adam; Pouloudi, Athanasia

Abstract: Virtual worlds (VWs) have emerged as a new context for gaming, collaboration, so ... Expand

Abstract: Virtual worlds (VWs) have emerged as a new context for gaming, collaboration, social networking but also commercial activity. This paper focuses on the latter, and investigates how consumers behave in this virtual context when selecting stores they visit or buy from. The paper explores store selection criteria in virtual world stores and extends earlier research in both offline and online commercial environments, taking into account the novel IT capabilities that VWs exploit. Theoretical insights drawn from the marketing and information systems literature have been used to guide the design of a survey conducted in the virtual world Second Life. In addition to identifying the factors influencing store selection, the paper investigates how these differ between shoppers and non-shoppers, and identifies the factors that affect the amount of money spent in virtual world shopping environments. The findings suggest that “Core Store Features” and “Security and Privacy” constitute the most important store selection factors in virtual environments and that sales in VWs are predicted by the frequency of visiting and the time spent within VWs’ stores. Building on these findings, the paper discusses theoretical and practical implications and further research perspectives in the context of (3D) online commerce. Collapse

Topics: privacy Second Life consumer behavior electronic commerce virtual reality

Methods: survey factor analysis data transformation ANOVA parametric test

Determinants of Point-of-Sale System Adoption: A Survey among Small Retailers in The Netherlands

2011 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Plomp, Marijn G A; Huiden, Roel P; Batenburg, Ronald

Abstract: Several threats affect the survival of small, independent retail companies. Adop ... Expand

Abstract: Several threats affect the survival of small, independent retail companies. Adoption and use of Point-of-Sale (POS) systems may offer important benefits to counter these threats. POS systems are not widely used by these retailers, however. This research investigates the determinants of the adoption of POS systems using a conceptual model based on existing adoption theories. Based on this, a survey has been held among 37 Dutch small, independent retailers, to answer the question what the most important determinants for POS system adoption are. This study furthers theory on IT adoption, specifically for small organisations. The practical relevance is that its findings may help in improving POS system adoption. Collapse

Topics: point of sale system technology adoption innovation management decision making computer hardware

Methods: survey conceptual modelling statistical hypothesis test literature study Student's t-test

Theories: technology acceptance theory