Managing the human–chatbot divide: how service scripts influence service experience

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Sands ◽  
Carla Ferraro ◽  
Colin Campbell ◽  
Hsiu-Yuan Tsao
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Human Service ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
Service Interactions

PurposeBrands are increasingly considering the use of chatbots to supplement, or even replace, humans in service interactions. Like humans, chatbots can follow certain service scripts in their encounters, which can subsequently determine the customer experience. Service scripts are verbal prescriptions that seek to standardize customer service interactions. However, while the role of service scripts is well documented, despite the increasing use of chatbots as a service mechanism, less is known about the effect, on consumers, of different service scripts presented during chatbot service encounters.Design/methodology/approachAn experimental scenario was developed to test the research hypotheses. Respondents were randomly allocated to scenarios representing a 2 (service interaction: human, chatbot) × 2 (service script: education, entertainment) design. A total of 262 US consumers constituted the final sample for the study.FindingsThe findings indicate that when employing an education script, a significant positive effect occurs for human service agents (compared to chatbots) in terms of both satisfaction and purchase intention. These effects are fully mediated by emotion and rapport, showing that the bonds developed through the close proximity to a human service agent elicit emotion and develop rapport, which in turn influence service outcomes. However, this result is present only when an educational script is used.OriginalityThis paper contributes to the emerging service marketing literature on the use of digital services, in particular chatbots, in service interactions. We show that differences occur in key outcomes dependent on the type of service script employed (education or entertainment). For managers, this study indicates that chatbot interactions can be tailored (in script delivered) in order to maximize emotion and rapport and subsequently consumer purchase intention and satisfaction.

Global identity, perceptions of luxury value and consumer purchase intention: a cross-cultural examination

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 533-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Yang ◽  
Jieqiong Ma ◽  
Mark Arnold ◽  
Krittinee Nuttavuthisit
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Global Identity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose In today’s highly globalized marketplace, it is increasingly important to understand why some consumers prefer luxury goods. This study aims to further explore the relationship between consumers’ global identity, their perceived functional, individual and social value of luxury and their intentions to purchase luxury. Design/methodology/approach Samples from two substantially different cultures, the USA and China, were used to explore the proposed relationships in an intercultural context. Established scales were adapted to measure each of the constructs of interest. The final sample includes 295 US and 247 Chinese participants. Findings By using samples from the USA and China, this study finds that global identity is positively related to purchase intention of luxury products, mediated by perceived functional, individual and social value of luxury. Originality/value Drawing insights from self-verification theory, this research provides a three-path framework to expand the knowledge of consumers’ motivation to purchase luxury.

Effects of parental cultural capital on purchase intention of cognac

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujie Wei ◽  
Blaise Bergiel ◽  
Lingfang Song
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Capital ◽  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Parental Influence ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Willingness To Purchase

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility that individual differences in consumer choice of cognac are at least partially influenced by parental cultural capital. Also examined are ten value orientations factors (e.g. hedonism and self-direction) and attitudes toward France, cognac’s country-of-origin that may affect the degree of this intergenerational influence. Design/methodology/approach The survey research measures parents’ cultural capital, value orientations and attitude toward France and purchase intention using recognized scales. Data were collected from the faculty and students of a major university located in the southeast of the USA. The sample size was 234. Findings The results confirm that parental cultural capital, consumer value orientations and attitudes toward France have significant impacts on the consumer’s willingness to purchase cognac. Adult children of high cultural capital parents are more likely to buy cognac. Practical implications The findings of this paper provide meaningful insights into intergenerational influences on consumer purchase intention of cognac and socialization theory. The paper provides several managerial implications for segmentation, targeting and positioning of cognac in the US market. Originality/value As the first of its kind, this paper introduces the parents’ cultural capital into the consumer research regarding cognac. The longer-term effects that parents can have on grown children’s consumer behavior are confirmed, suggesting that parental influence persists well into adulthood and has impact on their brand preference.

An empirical study on non-Muslim’s packaged halal food manufacturers

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshan Azam
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Specific Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
Lifestyle Choice ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
Halal Food ◽  
Packaged Food ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to investigate the determinant factors that consumers may consider in buying halal packaged food produced by non-Muslim manufacturers. Design/methodology/approach This paper develops a seven-constructs-based model. Halal awareness, Islamic brand and product ingredients are used as the pre-determined factors for measuring consumer’s purchase intention. Findings The hypotheses which were tested using partial least squares have revealed that halal awareness and product ingredients have significantly influenced Muslims’ intention to buy halal packaged food that are produced by non-Muslim manufacturers. The findings show that the religious belief, exposure and certification/logo are potential sources of Muslim awareness about halal packaged food from non-Muslim manufacturers. Research limitations/implications This research is also not exempted from its limitations. The data collected for the current study investigate general purchase toward halal products. It would be interesting if future researchers examine consumers’ purchase intention toward specific halal products for specific product categories. A comparative study is also worthy of being steered, as such a study is beneficial for producers and marketers of the halal industry. Practical implications As an overall implication, this study will provide a valuable and important information for non-Muslim halal packaged food manufacturers in identifying the appropriate strategy to fulfill the needs and wants of Muslim consumers at best. It is sufficed to suggest that the Muslim community has adopted halal food from non-Islamic brands as part of their lifestyle choice. Clearly, this gives implications to non-Muslim halal food producers. Thus, it is critical for food manufacturers to increase the level of awareness toward halal products by providing sufficient and interesting information, especially on halal certification. Hence, the manufacturer must take the opportunity to do intensive promotion to encourage more consumers to purchase their products. Originality/value This paper examines consumer purchase intention toward non-Muslim packed food manufactures in Saudi Arabia. It is critical for non-Muslim packed halal food manufacturers to increase the level of awareness toward halal products by providing sufficient and interesting information, especially on halal certification.

Imperfect produce: retailer actions and service outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atmadeep Mukherjee ◽  
Amaradri Mukherjee ◽  
Pramod Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Patronage Intention ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Food waste is a big problem where millions of pounds of produce are discarded every year because they are imperfect or unattractive. Despite the societal implications of selling unattractive produce, limited research has been directed toward understanding the effect of imperfect produce on consumers’ evaluations of the produce and retailer outcomes. This paper aims to investigate why consumers tend to discard imperfect produce and how retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphized signage and packaging) can alleviate these negative effects. Design/methodology/approach Three experiments were conducted to examine the postulations. Study 1 highlights the role of consumers’ embarrassment in the purchase decision of imperfect produce and retailer patronage intention. Studies 2 and 3 provide managerially relevant boundary conditions of anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging. Findings Convergent results across three studies (n = 882) indicate that imperfect produce increases purchase embarrassment and reduces purchase intention and retailer patronage intention. Retailer interventions (i.e. anthropomorphic signage and opaque packaging) can allay this feeling of embarrassment and lead to an increased retailer patronage intention and higher service satisfaction. Practical implications This research provides guidance to retailers for effectively promoting imperfect produce. Social implications Retailers’ actions can benefit the well-being of farmers, suppliers, customers and the overall environment. Originality/value This research adds to the literature on unattractive produce by identifying new moderators, namely, anthropomorphic signages and opaque packaging. The research also shows that purchase embarrassment is a key process mechanism.

Comparing retail formats in an emerging market

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordhan K. Saini ◽  
Arvind Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Retail Store ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Responses ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Low Price Guarantee ◽  
Retail Formats

Purpose – This study aims to examine the importance of credit and low price guarantee (LPG) on consumer purchase intention across types of retail store formats in an emerging market context. Design/methodology/approach – A 2 (kirana/modern retail)×2 (high/low LPG)×2 (credit/no credit) experimental design was used for this study. A sample of 200 respondents was asked about their purchase intention for a newly introduced hypothetical toothpaste brand and six hypotheses were tested. Findings – Findings show that credit and level of LPG determine consumer's purchase intention across store formats. The presence of credit and high LPG increases the purchase intention; however, relatively importance of these two varies by type of store. The absence of credit at kirana store definitely reduces the buying intention, while same is not true for modern retail store, where level of LPG is more important than the credit. Interestingly, buyer is likely to discount high LPG for a month's credit offered by a kirana store. Practical implications – The study can help practitioners and scholars to understand consumer responses to credit and LPG in buying decisions, and subsequently in designing a better product offer at a particular store format in emerging markets. Originality/value – Important insights are provided about the consumer behavior resulting from the presence or absence of credit and high or low levels of LPG in an emerging market context. The study also has public policy implications in a country where FDI in retail is a hotly debated topic.

Influence of e-WOM engagement on consumer purchase intention in social commerce

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Sahabi Yusuf ◽  
Ab Razak Che Hussin ◽  
Abdelsalam H. Busalim
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Current Effort ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
Information Characteristics

Purpose As a business paradigm, social commerce (s-commerce) has brought about a new stage of innovation, and by extension, has transmuted the power from seller to buyer. S-commerce is a combination a commercial and social activities in which individuals may spread word of mouth (WOM) about their shopping experiences and knowledge and provide information about product and services to their to their friends. This kind of social interactions among individuals has increased the potentials of eWOM communication. Given such a backdrop, this paper aims to look into the influence of eWOM engagement on consumers’ purchase intention in s-commerce, which may complement the current effort of the research community in this area. Design/methodology/approach This study used elaboration likelihood model, theory of reasoned action and social support theory to investigate the influence of eWOM engagement on consumers’ purchase intention in s-commerce. The study used 218 respondents to evaluate the proposed model using SmartPLS. Findings The empirical results indicate that information characteristics, consumer behavior and technological factors exert a positive influence on consumer purchase intentions. All hypotheses between attitude toward eWOM, information credibility, innovativeness, website quality and eWOM engagement are significant. Also, eWOM engagement has a significant positive influence on consumer purchase intention. However, information quality and social support does not have any significant relationship with eWOM engagement. Research limitations/implications This study seeks to address the dearth of research in the field of s-commerce, especially as it relates to eWOM. The study proposes a new model and empirically validates the hypothesized relationships. This research can serve as a stepping stone for future research in this field. Practical implications This study is one of the early studies focusing on the influence of eWOM engagement, especially in s-commerce. The study offers comprehensive and empirically validated factors pertaining to eWOM engagement in s-commerce. The results of this study are also important to practitioners and online companies’ managers. The study’s model has demonstrated the contextualization of what makes customers engage in eWOM and its influence in s-commerce. The study will also offer insights for firms on how to encourage eWOM engagement among customers. Originality/value A new eWOM engagement model in s-commerce is proposed with consideration on information characteristics, consumer behavior, technological and social factors. The model is validated afterwards.

How fashion influencers contribute to consumers' purchase intention

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssef Chetioui ◽  
Hikma Benlafqih ◽  
Hind Lebdaoui
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Brand Attitude ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Fashion Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study examines the impact of attitudes toward fashion influencers (FIs) on brand attitude and consumer purchase intention. It also aims to identify factors affecting consumers' attitudes toward FIs.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this goal, the authors propose a conceptual model that combines the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and theoretical outcomes of prior literature related to influencer marketing. Based on data collected from 610 Moroccan respondents, the authors empirically test the conceptual model using a partial least squares (PLS) estimation.FindingsThis study illustrates that attitudes toward FIs positively impact brand attitude and consumer purchase intention. The authors also demonstrate that perceived credibility, trust, perceived behavioral control, perceived subjective norms, perceived expertise and perceived congruence positively impact attitudes toward FIs.Practical implicationsThe study findings help marketers and advertisers in the fashion industry to understand how influencer marketing contributes to consumer purchase intention. They also allow marketers to understand factors explaining attitudes toward FIs and therefore better select influencers capable of creating purchase intentions among existing and potential customers.Originality/valueThe present paper bridges a gap pertaining to antecedents and factors that impact attitudes toward FIs and consumer purchase intention. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to investigate the impact of attitudes toward influencers on both brand attitude and purchase intention in the fashion industry.

Livestreaming vs pre-recorded

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (9/10) ◽  
pp. 2075-2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyson Ang ◽  
Shuqin Wei ◽  
Nwamaka A. Anaza
Keyword(s):  
Social Presence ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Product Launch ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purchasing Intention ◽  
Impact Theory ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention

Purpose Marketing researchers currently lack a systematic and empirical understanding of digital social viewing strategies. Drawing on social impact theory, this study aims to investigate if and how firm-initiated digital social viewing strategies (livestreaming vs pre-recorded) influence consumer viewing experiences and consequential behavioral intentions. Design/methodology/approach A scenario-based experiment was conducted with 462 participants. The study involved social viewing strategies in a new product launch context. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings This study demonstrates that social influence cues (social presence and synchronicity) inherent in a livestreaming strategy induce a more authentic consumer viewing experience than a pre-recorded strategy, which in turn increases consumers’ searching and subscribing intention. However, a company’s social viewing strategy does not moderate the effect of search and subscribe intention on purchase intention. Research limitations/implications This study extends the application of social impact theory by showing that social presence and synchronicity impact authentic consumer viewing experiences, which influence consumers’ searching, subscribing and purchasing intention. Practical implications This study validates the importance of using social viewing as a viable digital marketing strategy for practitioners. The paper provides marketers ways to increase consumer purchase intention via livestreaming marketing content, particularly for new products. Originality/value This study extends the traditional research on social viewing into the realm of digital social viewing. It is among the first to delineate the advantages of both livestreaming and pre-recorded social viewing approaches.

Consumers' perceptions and responses towards online retailers' CSR

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1277-1299
Author(s):  
Van Thac Dang ◽  
Ninh Nguyen ◽  
Jianming Wang
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Brand Identification ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Retailers ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeAnchored on social trust theory, social identity theory and signalling theory, this study investigates the process of how consumers respond to online retailers' corporate social responsibility (CSR).Design/methodology/approachFollowing the hypo-deductive research design, a unique model was developed to link online retailers' CSR with consumer purchase intention through brand identification and word of mouth (WOM). This model was subsequently tested and validated by conducting an online survey to 239 customers of a major online retailer in China, that is, JD.com.FindingsAnalysis using structural equation modelling demonstrates that online retailers' CSR is positively associated with consumer purchase intention, and brand identification positively mediates such an association. In addition, WOM exhibits a mediating effect on the relationship between perceived online retailers' CSR and consumer purchase intention and between brand identification and consumer purchase intention.Practical implicationsOnline retailers must endeavour to employ CSR as a strategy to enhance consumer purchase intention and behaviour. Moreover, they should develop communication programmes that highlight their engagement in CSR activities to improve their brand image and facilitate consumers' positive WOM.Originality/valueTo the best of the researchers' knowledge, this study is the first to examine the mediating roles of brand identification and WOM in the relationship between online retailers' CSR and customer purchase intention. Furthermore, this study extends current knowledge about online retailers' CSR and its potential impact in emerging economies by focussing on the context of China.

Hello Kitty livery is just a glimpse of Hello Kitty experiential package

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen W. Wang ◽  
Waros Ngamsiriudom
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Experiential Marketing ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Purchase Intention

Purpose – Celebrity-themed aircraft campaigns have become a popular tactic that airlines adopt as part of their experiential marketing efforts. The campaign aims at differentiating their airline from competitors through delivering and/or reforming consumers’ flying experience. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – Based on data collected from Taiwan, this study investigated the influence of four antecedents – attitude toward celebrity-themed aircrafts, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and celebrity worship − on purchase intention. Findings – The results revealed significant positive relationships between all four antecedents and purchase intention. Furthermore, celebrity worship changed the relationships between attitude, subjective norms, as well as perceived behavioral control and intentions. Originality/value – This study investigates the potential role of marketing program of airlines with a fictional celebrity-themed aircraft that offer immersive flying experience to consumers. The experience starts on the outside where consumers can see the aircraft painted with celebrity-themed livery, and on the inside where the consumers get to experience many celebrity-related products, services, and spirit. According to the results, airlines can influence consumer purchase intention of the airlines services by offering consumers more celebrity related services, including celebrity-themed aircraft, customized products, and limited-amount souvenirs for their patronage. The results also demonstrate that celebrity worship has a significantly moderating effect on consumers’ perception on purchase intention. The results can vary depending on the intensity of celebrity worship.

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