Consumer empowerment and self-assessment of empowerment

This study examined the influence of consumer empowerment and its self-assessment on consumers’ information search behavior and consumer life satisfaction; it also examined whether the results were consistent with the Dunning−Kruger effect. A total of 977 consumers who participated in a national consumer survey were divided into four groups, based on their level of empowerment and self-assessment. The Dunning−Kruger effect was observed in the consumer empowerment results, with 35.9% of respondents showing imbalanced empowerment and self-assessment levels. A general linear model was used to examine the survey results, which indicated that the main effect of empowerment had no significant effect on information searching or consumer life satisfaction. However, there was a significant main effect of self-assessment on both dependent variables. In addition, the interaction of empowerment and self-assessment had a significant effect only on information search behavior. Consequently, it can be concluded that self-assessed empowerment, rather than actual consumer empowerment, affects information search and consumer life satisfaction.

Information search behavior among Chinese self-drive tourists in the smartphone era

Purpose The Chinese economy has grown rapidly over the past decade, making self-drive tours more affordable among Chinese tourists. Thus, self-driving tours using online tourism-related information have also been popular. This study aims to investigate information search behaviors among different segments of Chinese self-drive tourists under the influence of contemporary mobile internet technologies and compares the results with prior related studies from a global standpoint. Design/methodology/approach This paper investigates the relationships between tourist demographics and information search behavior in Mainland China based on a quantitative method. This study collected 228 surveys from users with self-drive tour experience. This study also conducted a series of online interviews to explore the potential barriers when self-drive tourists search for information. Findings The results showed variances within pre-decision and post-decision stages between different age groups, social classes and experience levels. Preference for up-to-date information and contemporary platforms were also observed. Originality/value Research paucity exists on self-drive tourists’ information search behavior, using data collected from Mainland Chinese tourists using mobile devices. The findings offer insights to industry practitioners, such as travel agencies and liaison websites, for refining their services to meet the information needs of Chinese self-drive tourists through more comprehensive marketing strategies.

Advances in Search Strategy Using the Set of Brand Considerations in the Web Ecosystem

This study explores changes in a set of brand considerations as a result of web search strategies. Survey and personal computer log data of car buyers were used to identify online information search behavior for brands and products. Through this study, we found that higher frequencies of brand searching are associated with how much consumer-initiated sites and third-party-initiated sites are used, while lower frequencies of brand searching are only related to how much brand-initiated websites are used. We also concluded that ambivalent messages on consumer-initiated sites lead to the postponement of a decision and a continued search for another brand. In addition, third party-initiated information sources lower search costs, which lead to longer consumer journeys and expand the set of brands considered and searched. The results of this study can help marketers understand the importance of their own media and aid in the development of a digital media strategy.

Information search behavior and utilization of digital library of innovative consumers

This study was undertaken to examine digital library usage and to identify innovative users of digital libraries using data collected in four universities in Taiwan. The Domain Specific Innovativeness (DSI) scales were used in the study to segment respondents into various cluster of innovativeness in digital library usage. On average, college students spent 3.5 hours on digital libraries per week. The findings in this study indicated that 8.31% of digital library users could be classified as innovative users. They were frequent users and were familiar with services provided by digital libraries. Innovative users searched and downloaded more materials from digital libraries than respondents in other clusters. In general, journal/magazine articles were the most frequently used services for digital library users, while e-books were used much less often.