Modeling of mobile channels using TIMS in IT education

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to directly link information technology (IT) education with real-world phenomena.Design/methodology/approachThe selected objectives are achieved by modeling line of sight (LOS) and nonline of sight (NLOS) mobile channels using corresponding distributions. Within the described experiments, students verify whether modeled generators generate random variables accordingly to the selected distribution. The results of observations are directly compared with theoretical expectations. The methodology was evaluated by students via questionnaires.FindingsThe results show that the proposed methodology can help graduate or undergraduate students better comprehend lectured material from mobile communications or mathematical statistics.Originality/valueThe hands on experience using the EMONA system make the approach original.

Social Media and E-Commerce: A Theoretical Study of Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior of Social Media Buyers

This research studies the factors that impact the behavior of the consumers of social media buyers. The retail business has changed radically over the most recent two decades, at first with the landing of computer-interface shopping and, more recently, with the emerging of mobile channels and social media stages. It is hard for e-commerce or e-retail companies to identify and influence the variables that drive consumers' attitudes and behavior. Different types of media affect people's conclusions, significantly depending on how much time they spend on such media. Facebook and Twitter are two examples of relatively older types of social media in correlation with newer social media networks, for example, Instagram. Furthermore, people use each type of social media for different purposes and based on their individual preferences.

Effects of visit behavior on online store sales performance: personal computer (PC) versus mobile channels

PurposeThis study examines the dynamic relationships of visit behavior in the multiple channels [personal computer (PC) and mobile channels] on online store sales performance.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical data were from an online store for the period between August 14, 2015 and May 15, 2016. The data consisted of consumer visit behavior and online store sales performance. Vector autoregression with an exogenous variables model was adopted to investigate the dynamic relationships.FindingsThe empirical results show significant relationships between visit behavior metrics (number of visitors, average number of visits per visitor and average length of each visit) in the two channels and online store sales performance. The number of visitors through the PC and mobile channels strongly and positively affects online store sales performance both in the short term and in the longer term. Moreover, the number of visitors in the PC channel has the strongest influence on sales performance metrics, followed by the number of visitors and the average number of visits in the mobile channel. The PC channel's visit behavior metrics explain a larger proportion of the sales performance variance than that in the mobile channel.Originality/valueThe previous literature on consumer behavior in multichannel marketing mainly focuses on channel selection or migration, and examines the different factors affecting channel choice behavior. Little is known about the impacts of visit behavior in the multiple channels. This study adopts the heuristic-systematic information processing theory to unveil the impacts of visit behavior metrics in the PC and mobile channels on online store sales performance.

Mobile Shopping Apps

This article describes how the retailing business has changed drastically in the recent times. The emergence of Internet and mobile channels are primarily responsible for this. The present generation comprises of a group of consumers with strong purchasing power and superior online habits in comparison to previous generations. The younger generation is much more experienced with the Internet and mobile devices and is thus more susceptible to engage in shopping through mobile apps. These empowered consumers are keen to have consistent customer experiences and are always challenging retailers to meet their evolving needs and demands. They can easily switch from one retailer to another with a couple of touches on their smart phones. These increased opportunities also increase competition. The mobile commerce helps the online retailers to present themselves fit in the market and uniquely use the cosmic opportunities. This article focuses on a set of ten different mobile shopping apps and identifies the functionalities offered by these apps. The article further proceeds to explore the specific consumer needs satisfied through mobile shopping which influence its adoption and usage.