Understanding people's participation in online charities: a dual-process approach of trust and empathic concern

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Chen ◽  
Wenli Li ◽  
Tu Lyu ◽  
Xunan Zheng

PurposeThe rapid development of the Internet in China has profoundly affected the country's charities, which many people support through online donations (e.g. providing financial help) and charity information forwarding (a new behavior of participating in online charities via social media). However, the development of online charities has been accompanied by many problems, such as donation fraud and fake charity information, which adversely affect social kindness. The purpose of this paper is to understand people's online donation and forwarding behaviors and to explore the mechanisms of such behaviors from the perspectives of cognitive-based trust and emotional-based empathic concern.Design/methodology/approachThis study developed a research model based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model. The researchers obtained 287 valid samples via a scenario-based experimental survey and conducted partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the model.FindingsThe results indicated that (1) online donation intention is motivated by rational-based trust and emotional-based empathic concern; (2) online charity information forwarding is triggered only when trust is built, and there is no significant correlation between empathic concern and forwarding intention; and (3) content quality, initiator credibility, and platform reputation are three critical paths to promote trust; in addition, an individual's empathic concern can be motivated by the emotional appeal.Originality/valueThis study highlights the different mechanisms of donation and forwarding behaviors and provided theoretical measures for motiving trust and empathic concern in the online context to promote people's participation in online charity.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 578-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Krey ◽  
Stephanie Hui-Wen Chuah ◽  
T. Ramayah ◽  
Philipp A. Rauschnabel

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine advertising strategies’ (functional vs emotional) influence on consumers’ evaluation and adoption of smartwatches by drawing on the elaboration likelihood model and the schema incongruity theory. Moderating effects of consumer characteristics (personal innovativeness and extraversion) on the value assessment and attitude relationship are also tested. Design/methodology/approach The model was assessed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling with a sample of 999 non-smartwatch users. Findings Results show that functional ads elicit higher levels of hedonic than functional (usefulness) and ergonomic values (ease of use), whereas emotional ads produce higher levels of functional (usefulness) in comparison to hedonic value (enjoyment). Collectively, functional, ergonomic, hedonic and symbolic values shape consumers’ attitude and their subsequent behavior. In addition, findings demonstrate that extraversion positively moderates the symbolic value–attitude relationship, whereas personal innovativeness negatively moderates the functional value–attitude relationship. Originality/value Smartwatch sales have floundered despite substantial investments in ad campaigns. This study provides novel insights into managing non-users’ value perceptions of smartwatches with the optimal use of ad strategies. Furthermore, it is also one of the first studies to validate the moderating role of extraversion on the symbolic value–attitude link, thus contributing to the emerging literature on wearable technology.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 572-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Silic ◽  
Christian Ruf

Purpose In order for financial institutions to cope with increased competitive pressure from the financial technology companies, offering digital services such as a mobile service system (MSS) targeted for high net worth individuals (HNWIs) becomes critical. Despite long-term trustworthy relationships between HNWIs and financial advisors, studies suggest that the formation of initial trust poses a significant challenge. The purpose of this paper is to identify various features related to initial trust antecedents. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted using the survey data, and employs variance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to test hypotheses. Findings The findings from a closed experiment with 107 participants suggest that compared to more traditional service systems, customers are more prone to the construct of service quality, and specifically professional, prompt, dependable and timely financial advice. Originality/value The study validated key constructs that positively influence the initial trust formation process and ultimately the intention to use in an MSS for the financial advisory. The authorts particularly emphasized the rebalancing and monitoring steps in the financial planning process between HNWIs and client advisors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 3674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Young Park ◽  
Jin Hwa Rhee

The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics of SNS (Social Network Service) users as potential donors for the sustainability of online donation campaigns. For this purpose, we examined the relationship between SNS users’ characteristics, social interaction and donation intention. Based on self-construal level theory, we assume that SNS users’ characteristics (independent-self and interdependent-self) affect their social interaction and in turn their online donation behaviors. Specifically, we suggest that people with an interdependent disposition tend to have more social interaction, which in turn has a positive effect on participation in donation through the mediation of empathy for the beneficiaries of the donation described in the advertisement. In order to verify the hypotheses, we use structural equation modeling to analyze data collected from 116 participants through online surveys. The findings of this study are as follows. First, individuals with an interdependent disposition have more online social interaction, whereas an independent disposition does not have a significant effect on social interaction online. Second, SNS users’ social interaction has a positive effect on empathy for the beneficiaries of donation. Third, empathy for beneficiaries has a positive effect on participation in online donations. These findings confirm the psychological mechanism between online social interaction and donation behavior and contribute useful guidance for non-profit organizations that design and implement online donation campaigns.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel Yee Man Siu ◽  
Tracy Junfeng Zhang ◽  
Ho Yan Kwan

Purpose By extending the expectancy-disconfirmation theory and integrating the elaboration likelihood model, this study aims to explore the reference effects (i.e. disconfirmation and self-identity) and customer engagement that affect customer experience on satisfaction with a museum visit. The study is designed to test a dual-mediator mechanism involving disconfirmation and self-identity. The moderating role of cognitive, affective or behavioral engagements is also examined with the overall purpose to advance the understanding of customer experience in cultural consumption such as museum visits. Design/methodology/approach A self-administered field survey in two stages was carried out on visitors to the Hong Kong Museum of Art. A total of 465 valid response sets were used for analysis. Hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis, three-step mediation test, structural equation modeling and moderation regressions. Findings Disconfirmation and self-identity are found to be dual mediators in the experience–satisfaction relationship. Cognitive engagement reduces the effect of knowledge experience on disconfirmation and self-identity but increases that of the entertainment experience on disconfirmation and self-identity. Affective engagement amplifies the effect of knowledge experience on self-identity but mitigates the importance of entertainment evaluations. Practical implications Findings highlight the importance of both perceived knowledge and entertainment experiences in visitors’ evaluation of a cultural experience. Managers are suggested to craft promotional messages with the psychological appeal that connects visitors with museum services. Appropriate engagement tactics for museums can be developed to avoid overloading visitors with information. Originality/value Previous studies treat disconfirmation as the dominant reference effect in the formation of customer satisfaction. This study shows both disconfirmation and self-identity as dual reference effects that link the customer experience to satisfaction in the museum context, serving as a pioneer in defining how the influence of experience on reference effects varies depending on how customers are cognitively and affectively engaged in such context.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 670-687
Author(s):  
Pablo Zoghbi-Manrique-de-Lara ◽  
Mercedes Viera-Armas ◽  
Gabriel De Blasio García

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the appearance of cyberloafing at work, that is, the use of the company’s internet connection for personal purposes, may be due to a workplace that lacks mindfulness and compassion. The authors first hypothesize that supervisors’ mindfulness is related to the mindfulness of their direct followers, and that both are related to employees’ compassion at work. The authors also hypothesize that compassion mediates the link between supervisors’ and followers’ mindfulness and cyberloafing, and that empathic concern mediates the link from compassion to cyberloafing. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was distributed to followers working in groups of three with the same leader in all of the 100 banks in London (UK). Supervisors and their direct reports (n=100) and 100 triads of followers (n=300) participated. The authors applied structural equation modeling (SEM) for analyses. Findings Results showed that supervisors’ and followers’ mindfulness were significantly related to each other and to compassion at work, but compassion acted as a mediator only in the case of supervisors’ mindfulness. Empathic concern mediated the compassion-cyberloafing link. Research limitations/implications The study could suffer from mono-method/source bias and specificities of banks and their work processes can raise concerns about the generalizability of the results. Practical implications Findings suggest that mindfulness training may facilitate compassion at work, which, in turn, will restrain the occurrence of cyberloafing at work. Originality/value This is the first study to analyze how and why employees refrain from harming their organizations out of compassion.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 370-387
Author(s):  
Bramhani Rao ◽  
Sambashiva Rao Kunja

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between two sub-dimensions of a leader’s empathy (perspective-taking and empathic-concern) and successful authorization of idiosyncratic deals (developmental, location flexibility and schedule flexibility i-deals). Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modeling was conducted on the cross-sectional data collected from 307 managers working in software development and support companies located in major cities in India. Findings While empathic-concern is positively related to successful authorization of both developmental and flexibility i-deals, perspective-taking related positively to authorization of developmental i-deals and showed no significant relationship with flexibility i-deals. Research limitations/implications The study reiterates the importance of empathy in modern workplaces and encourages managers to be conscious of their intelligence, as well as emotions, while participating in negotiations at the workplace. Originality/value The paper relates i-deals to sub-dimensions of empathy which is a previously unexplored antecedent to i-deals.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heetae Cho ◽  
Weisheng Chiu

PurposeThe study aims to explore how the perception of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects argument quality of advertisement, attitude and purchase intentions of the indoor fitness products based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM). Moreover, the moderating effect of exercise involvement was examined.Design/methodology/approachA total of 283 consumers in Singapore were recruited during the partial lockdown period. Data analysis was employed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results of data analysis showed that perception of COVID-19 affected argument quality of advertisement, attitude and purchase intention of indoor fitness products. Meanwhile, argument quality resulted in a favorable attitude toward indoor fitness products, which, ultimately, led to the purchase intention. In addition, exercise involvement positively moderated the influence of argument quality on attitude.Originality/valueThe findings provide implications for businesses and researchers to understand sport consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Author(s):  
Karoline Ellrich

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between burnout and violent victimization in terms of physical assaults in patrol police officers. A burnout-victimization model is proposed assuming emotional exhaustion and depersonalization to be associated with violent victimization via different mechanisms. Design/methodology/approach The study entails a cross-sectional survey of 1,742 German patrol police officers who reported 4,524 police encounters. The paper employs a binary logistic multilevel structural equation modeling approach to test the proposed model. Findings In line with the hypotheses, emotional exhaustion was found to reduce police officers’ self-protecting behavior, which in turn heightened their risk of victimization. Depersonalization was positively linked to a favorable attitude toward violence, which was linked to violent victimization but only to a small extent. Further analyses yielded an additional direct pathway from emotional exhaustion to victimization. Research limitations/implications The main limitations include the cross-sectional design of the study and the lack of including police officers’ own aggressive and violent behavior. Multimethod studies also using observational data of police-citizen interactions would be desirable in future studies. Originality/value This study is one of the first investigating the burnout-victimization link in police officers. By proposing and examining two different pathways, it further enhances the understanding of the underlying mechanisms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 755-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Angell ◽  
Matthew Gorton ◽  
Paul Bottomley ◽  
Ben Marder ◽  
Shikhar Bhaskar ◽  
...  

Purpose Newsjacking (real-time deployment of news stories in communications) is now ubiquitous for brands using social media. Despite its pervasiveness, little analysis of its effectiveness exists. The purpose of this paper is to test if newsjacking positively influences various consumer responses (attitude toward content, brand attitude and purchase intent). Taking an audience perspective supported by the elaboration likelihood model, the research also establishes if a higher level of news involvement, as well as an ability to recognize the story behind the content, enhances the effectiveness of newsjacking content. Design/methodology/approach An experimental design using taglines (newsjacking vs non-topical content) from a real BMW campaign was tested on a sample of 252 consumers. Three research questions pertaining to the effectiveness of newsjacking were specified and analyzed within a structural equation modeling framework. Findings The findings support the conclusion that newsjacking is an effective communication tool. More favorable consumer responses were elicited in the newsjacking condition, as compared to content deploying a non-topical tagline. In addition, recipients reporting a higher level of news involvement rated the content more favorably in the newsjacking (vs the non-topical) condition. Deploying news stories that are more recognizable increases the chances of successful newsjacking. Messages received by those with higher product involvement (category level: cars) were more effective regardless of the type of the appeal. Originality/value The authors contribute to the communications and social media literatures by investigating the effectiveness of an emerging but popular tactic leveraged by content creators. The work builds upon the limited research that has tested consumer responses to newsjacking. From a practical perspective, the research provides insight into the type of audience and situations most likely to yield a favorable outcome from newsjacking.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Qian Chen ◽  
Hyun Jung Park

PurposeWith the continuous improvement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, intelligent personal assistants (IPAs) based on AI have seen unprecedented growth. The present study investigates the effect of anthropomorphism on cognitive and emotional trust and the role of interpersonal attraction in the relationship between anthropomorphism and trust.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation modeling technique with a sample of 263 consumers was used to analyze the data and test the conceptual model.FindingsThe findings illustrate that the anthropomorphism of IPAs did not directly induce trust. Anthropomorphism led users to assign greater social attraction and task attraction to IPAs, which in turn reinforced cognitive or emotional trust in these assistants. Compared with task attraction, social attraction was more powerful in strengthening both cognitive trust and emotional trust. The present study broadens the current knowledge about interpersonal attraction and its role in AI usage by examining two types of interpersonal attraction of IPAs.Originality/valueAs trust plays an important role in the rapid development of human–computer interaction, it is imperative to understand how consumers perceive these intelligent agents and build or improve trust. Prior studies focused on the impact of anthropomorphism on overall trust in AI, and its underlying mechanism was underexplored. The findings can help marketers and designers better understand how to enhance users' trust in their anthropomorphic products, especially by increasing social interactive elements or promoting communication.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document