Role of virtual avatars in digitalized hotel service

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 977-997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngjoon Choi ◽  
Fuad Mehraliyev ◽  
Seongseop (Sam) Kim
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Social Position ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Psychological Mechanism ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Technical Features

Purpose This study aim to attempt to conceptualize agency in a hospitality setting and examine the psychological effects of agency-related visual cues on user perception and intention to use to understand the role of agency in the digitalization of hotel services. Design/methodology/approach After developing demo videos of an express check-out application, two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of using an avatar and explain the psychological mechanism of how attributes of an avatar increase intention to use. Findings Study 1 found that the presence of an avatar had a positive influence on intention to use. Study 2 retested the findings of Study 1 and illustrated the psychological mechanism of how two attributes of an avatar (social position and gender) influenced perceived expertise and intention to use. A significant interaction effect between social position and gender was found on perceived expertise. Perceived expertise also mediated the effect of an avatar on intention to use in the male avatar conditions. Originality/value As the first attempt to investigate the role of avatars in human–computer interaction in a hotel setting, this study will serve as an example in testing the effects of agency-related technical features on user experience and behavioral intention, possibly broadening the current research scope of hospitality and tourism. This study also provides a useful guideline to develop and design a successful interface of digitalized hotel services.

Consumer acceptance of sports wearable technology: the role of technology readiness

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taejung Kim ◽  
Weisheng Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Group Analysis ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate consumers’ acceptance and use of sports and fitness wearable devices based on technology readiness (TR). In addition, the technology readiness and acceptance model (TRAM) will be used to investigate consumers’ intention to use sports wearable devices (for simplicity, sports wearable devices will be simplified to the term “sports wearables”).Design/methodology/approachConvenience sampling was conducted from Korean consumers (n=247). Data were analyzed by partial least squares–structural equation modeling using SmartPLS 3.0.FindingsThe results found that positive TR has a positive influence on perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU), and negative TR had a negative influence on PEOU and PU. PEOU had a positive influence on perceived usefulness (PU). Both PEOU and PU led to intention to use sports wearable devices. Also, the multi-group analysis found a positive correlation between TR and PEOU for especially male users.Originality/valueThe findings of this study provide a better understanding of consumers’ behavioral intent to use sports wearables. Particularly, it also provides evidence that the TRAM is an appropriate framework for predicting users’ intention to use sports wearables. This study also stresses the important role of TR in consumers’ psychological processes leading up to the actual use of novel sports wearables.

Intention to use analytical artificial intelligence (AI) in services – the effect of technology readiness and awareness

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Flavián ◽  
Alfredo Pérez-Rueda ◽  
Daniel Belanche ◽  
Luis V. Casaló
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Barriers To Technology

PurposeThe automation of services is rapidly growing, led by sectors such as banking and financial investment. The growing number of investments managed by artificial intelligence (AI) suggests that this technology-based service will become increasingly popular. This study examines how customers' technology readiness and service awareness affect their intention to use analytical AI investment services.Design/methodology/approachThe automation of services is rapidly growing, led by sectors such as banking and financial investment. The growing number of investments managed by AI suggests that this technology-based service will become increasingly popular. This study examines how customers' technology readiness and service awareness affect their intention to use analytical AI investment services.FindingsThe results indicated that customers' technological optimism increases, and insecurity decreases, their intention to use robo-advisors. Surprisingly, feelings of technological discomfort positively influenced robo-advisor adoption. This interesting finding challenges previous insights into technology adoption and value co-creation as analytical AI puts customers into a very passive role and reduces barriers to technology adoption. The research also analyzes how consumers become aware of robo-advisors, and how this influences their acceptance.Originality/valueThis is the first study to analyze the role of customers' technology readiness in the adoption of analytical AI. The authors link the findings to previous technology adoption and automated services' literature and provide specific managerial implications and avenues for further research.

Self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheshi Bao ◽  
Bo Shang
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Quantitative Measurements ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeAlthough many studies show that self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms are positively and significant correlated, others reveal some different findings. To clarify this line of research, this study further investigates the effect of self-efficacy on continuance intention and meanwhile examines some moderating variables in this process.Design/methodology/approachA meta-analysis method was employed to examine the literature containing quantitative measurements of both self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms. A total of 31 effects sizes (N = 9,084) were reviewed.FindingsThe results indicate medium-sized positive correlation between self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms. Further moderation analysis shows that such medium-sized link differed across measures of Web 2.0 platform types, target respondent differences and gender of participants. Specifically, this correlation is largest for transaction-socialization platforms and smallest for experience-socialization platforms. For university-student respondents, the role of self-efficacy in affecting continuance intention is less important than general members of Web 2.0 platforms. Finally, as the percentage of female participants increases, a weaker effect size will be observed.Originality/valueThis study clarifies empirical research regarding users' self-efficacy and their continuance intention. Meanwhile, sources of inter-study variability have been identified by addressing moderator variables in the relationship between self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms, which provides directions for future explorations in this area.

When is an Islamic work ethic more likely to spur helping behavior? The roles of despotic leadership and gender

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 630-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk De Clercq ◽  
Inam Ul Haq ◽  
Usman Raja ◽  
Muhammad Umer Azeem ◽  
Norashikin Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Work Ethic ◽  
Work Values ◽  
Helping Behavior ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Islamic Work Ethic ◽  
Female Employees ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Voluntary Basis ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how employees’ Islamic work ethic might enhance their propensity to help their coworkers on a voluntary basis, as well as how this relationship might be invigorated by despotic leadership. It also considers how the invigorating role of despotic leadership might depend on employees’ gender. Design/methodology/approach Survey data were collected from employees and their supervisors in Pakistani organizations. Findings Islamic work values relate positively to helping behaviors, and this relationship is stronger when employees experience despotic leadership, because their values motivate them to protect their colleagues against the hardships created by such leadership. This triggering role of despotic leadership is particularly strong among female employees. Practical implications For organizations, the results demonstrate that Islamic work values may be important for creating a culture that promotes collegiality, to a greater extent when employees believe that their leaders act as despots who exploit their followers for personal gain. Originality/value This study elaborates how employees’ Islamic work ethic influences the likelihood that they help their coworkers, particularly in work contexts marked by stress-inducing leadership.

Drivers of intention to use Murabaha financing: religiosity as moderator

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naqeeb Ullah Atal ◽  
Mohammad Iranmanesh ◽  
Fathyah Hashim ◽  
Behzad Foroughi
Keyword(s):  
Social Influence ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Religious Obligation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of Muslims’ attitude and intention towards Murabaha financing by considering religiosity as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected through a survey of 373 Muslims in Afghanistan and were analysed using the partial least squares technique. Findings The results showed that social influence and religious obligation have a positive effect on attitude towards Murabaha financing. Furthermore, social influence and attitude have a positive effect on the intention to use Murabaha financing. Religiosity moderates negatively the impact of social influence on attitude towards Murabaha financing. Practical implications Managers and marketers of Islamic banks may benefit from the findings of this study, which provide insight into the factors that should be considered to promote Murabaha financing. Originality/value The findings contribute to the literature on Islamic financing products by demonstrating the drivers of attitude towards and intention to use Murabaha financing. The study also extends the literature by testing the moderating role of religiosity. Furthermore, the study extends the theory of reasoned action in the context of Islamic financing by introducing religious obligation as a potential driver of attitude and religiosity as a moderator.

“Ownership structure and firm performance: the mediating role of board characteristics”

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Mamunur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Ownership Structure ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of corporate board characteristics in the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance in the listed public limited companies of Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzed 527 annual reports of listed companies in Bangladesh for the years 2015-2017. The direct and indirect effect of ownership structure on firm performance was examined using AMOS 23. Baron and Kenny’s (1986) four steps procedure was used to establish the mediating role of board characteristics. Findings The results demonstrated that foreign ownership and director ownership have significant positive influence on both accounting and market based firm’s performance, while institutional ownership exhibits positive influence only on accounting-based performance (return on assets). With respect to mediating effect, the results show that board size and board independence partially mediate the relationship between ownership structure and firm performance. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of the study is that it focuses only on three years data in examining the hypothesized relationship among the variables. Practical implications Investors, regulators and managers can get evocative insights, particularly who seek to improve their company’s performance in the capital market through restructuring their ownership structure and board composition. Originality/value The study focuses on both direct and indirect effect of ownership structure on firm performance in the context of an emerging and developing economy. In examining the indirect effect, the study uses board size and board independence as the mediating variables.

Entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students: the role of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurship education

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 843-861
Author(s):  
Aamir Hassan ◽  
Imran Saleem ◽  
Imran Anwar ◽  
Syed Abid Hussain
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intention ◽  
Opportunity Recognition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Moderating Role

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial self-efficacy on the entrepreneurial intention of Indian university students. This paper also examines the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on the opportunity recognition–intention and self-efficacy–intention relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through a comprehensive questionnaire from 334 students having business and management background. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to ensure the reliability and validity of all the constructs, and structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses.FindingsThis study unveils three important findings. First, opportunity recognition and self-efficacy both show a significant positive impact on the entrepreneurial intention of students. Second, education positively moderates “self-efficacy–intention relationship”, and third, gender negatively moderates “opportunity recognition–intention” and “self-efficacy–intention” relationships.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has been carried out using a sample of students from only one university, and the study included only business and management background students. Similar studies can be conducted by adding more motivational and contextual factors with an increased sample size of students having different educational backgrounds.Practical implicationsThis study provides pragmatic support to formulate new educational initiatives that can support students in their present or future entrepreneurial projects.Originality/valueThis study adds to the scarce literature on opportunity recognition and entrepreneurial intention and also highlights the moderating role of entrepreneurship education and gender on opportunity recognition–intention and entrepreneurial self-efficacy–intention relationships.

Perceived trustworthiness in using B2B digital services

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 587-607
Author(s):  
Heli Hallikainen ◽  
Saku Hirvonen ◽  
Tommi Laukkanen
Keyword(s):  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Job Level ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
And Gender ◽  
High Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the perceived trustworthiness of a B2B service provider relates to a business customer’s intention to use digital services from that provider. The study investigates whether perceived trustworthiness, composed of ability, integrity and benevolence, explains behavioral intentions equally among all business customer segments, and how characteristics such as job level, decision-making role, technology readiness age and gender moderate these effects. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on a model of trust transfer mechanism, the study explores how perceived trustworthiness established in face-to-face interaction influences the use of digital services in making B2B purchases. Hypotheses are tested using a sample of 1,866 responses collected from customers of four B2B firms. Findings Ability is the most influential on the customer’s intention to transact through digital channels, while the effects of integrity and benevolence show more variation. The effect of perceived trustworthiness on the intention to use digital services is remarkably stronger among senior and middle management, high-level decision makers, the younger age segment, men and individuals high in technology readiness, compared to other segments studied. Originality/value The study contributes to the scant research on B2B customer behavior in the digital environment and incorporates individual characteristics specific to the industrial domain.

Electronic commerce adoption, entrepreneurial orientation and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Abebe
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Sales Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Positive Influence ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose – This study aims to contribute to the literature by addressing two research questions: is there a relationship between e-commerce adoption and performance of SMEs? And, more importantly, does the degree of entrepreneurial orientation moderate the relationship between e-commerce adoption and SME performance? Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from a sample of 55 manufacturing and service SMEs located in the state of Texas, USA, between 2008 and 2009 using a structured questionnaire. Customized questionnaires were mailed out to the owner-managers of 55 SMEs. A moderated regression analysis was conducted to test the two hypotheses. Findings – The results suggest that e-commerce adoption has a significant, positive influence on SMEs' average sales growth rate and that adopters of e-commerce technology have significantly higher average sales growth rate than non-adopters. The results also indicate that e-commerce adoption positively affects SMEs' annual sales growth rate even more when the sample firms have higher level of entrepreneurial orientation. Overall, the results of this analysis indicate the importance of e-commerce adoption as well as SMEs' entrepreneurial orientation on the performance of SMEs. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study can be useful for SMEs in general as a means of understanding how e-commerce adoption positively affects the firm's performance. Such a relationship suggests that e-commerce adoption is an important factor that can enhance firm's internal processes and ultimately performance. Therefore, e-commerce adopters should continue to utilize this technology while non-adopters should consider harnessing the potential of this technology to further streamline their operations and effectiveness. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of e-commerce adoption and entrepreneurial orientation in small firm performance.

Predictors for the adoption of e-democracy: an empirical evaluation based on a citizen-centric approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 523-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Hujran ◽  
Emad Abu-Shanab ◽  
Ali Aljaafreh
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors influencing the intention to use e-democracy. The literature depicted conflicting results regarding such domain and especially in the Middle East, where the authors aim at establishing a solid view of the discipline. Design/methodology/approach A research model was developed based on the theory of planned behavior, technology acceptance model and unified theory for acceptance and use of technology-2. The model hypothesized that perceived public value (PPV), ease of use and enjoyment are major antecedents of attitudes, and subjective norms (SNs), perceived behavioral control (PBC) and attitudes are significant predictors of behavioral intentions. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. A questionnaire was used to explore Jordanian citizens’ perceptions regarding the research model constructs. A sample of 302 Jordanian citizens filled the surveys based on their awareness of e-democracy concepts and their willingness to participate in the study. This study uses the structural equation modeling approach with partial least square as an analysis method. Findings Findings indicated that PPV, perceived ease of use and enjoyment jointly determine the attitudes of citizens toward e-democracy. Results also suggest that attitudes, PBC and SNs have a significant effect on citizen’s intention to use e-democracy. Finally, this research supported the role of enjoyment as the most significant determinant of citizen’s attitude toward using e-democracy. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its small sample size and newly developed Arabic instrument. Still, results imply that more research is needed to replicate and validate the instrument and support the role of the selected research constructs. Public institutions are required to make e-democracy applications enjoyable and easy to use. They also need to demonstrate its value to the public. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the few studies to explore e-democracy and the first to conduct an empirical study (survey-based) in Jordan. The foundation of the study depended on three robust theories in the technology adoption theories.

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