Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research

15 pages, 973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fear of COVID-19 Effect on Stock Markets: A Proposal for an Algorithmic Trading System Based on Fear

by Jessica Paule-Vianez, Carmen Orden-Cruz, Raúl Gómez-Martínez and Sandra Escamilla-Solano

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1142-1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020058 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1982

Abstract

This study analyzes the fear of COVID-19 effect on European stock market returns. For this purpose, the search volumes (SV) collected by Google Trends (GT) and Wikipedia were used as proxies of fear of COVID-19. In a sample from 13 European stock markets, [...] Read more.

This study analyzes the fear of COVID-19 effect on European stock market returns. For this purpose, the search volumes (SV) collected by Google Trends (GT) and Wikipedia were used as proxies of fear of COVID-19. In a sample from 13 European stock markets, fear of COVID-19 was found to be associated with negative European stock returns. Our research employed this observation to propose an algorithmic trading system based on fear of COVID-19. Back-testing results show the possibility of extraordinary returns based on this system. These findings have important implications for political authorities, the mass media, and investors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Entrepreneurship, Innovation, FinTech Accounting and Industry 4.0)

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16 pages, 622 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making Method for Risk Assessment of Live-Streaming E-Commerce Platform

by Jiafu Su, Dan Wang, Fengting Zhang, Baojian Xu and Zhiguang Ouyang

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1126-1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020057 - 12 Jun 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3045

Abstract

Live-streaming e-commerce is the future development direction of the retail industry. When retailers choose a live-streaming e-commerce platform, they face the test of various risks of the platform, such as insecure control of capital flow, insufficient support of public domain traffic, etc. Therefore, [...] Read more.

Live-streaming e-commerce is the future development direction of the retail industry. When retailers choose a live-streaming e-commerce platform, they face the test of various risks of the platform, such as insecure control of capital flow, insufficient support of public domain traffic, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the risks of the platform to help retailers identify the platform with the lowest risk. Considering the complexity of the risks of live-streaming e-commerce platforms and the ambiguity of the decision-makers thinking, the current method for multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) method in a fuzzy environment rarely discusses the decision-makers weight for the criterion. This paper proposes interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy multi-criteria group decision-making based on the decision-makers’ professionalism to evaluate the platform’s risks. This method determines the decision-maker’s weight for the criterion based on the professionalism of the decision-maker and uses the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) method to rank the alternative platforms. Finally, a risk assessment of the agricultural product live-streaming e-commerce platforms is used as a case study to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. This research will not only provide practical guidance for retailers to choose the live-streaming e-commerce platform with the lowest comprehensive risk but also provide ideas for the research of live-streaming e-commerce from the perspective of risk assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Utilizing Models for e-Business Decision-Making: From Data to Wisdom)

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19 pages, 1630 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Drives VOD Purchases in Mobile TV Services? Exploring Utilization, Motivations, and Personality Traits

by Jaemin Song, Sunghan Ryu and Dongyeon Kim

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1107-1125; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020056 - 12 Jun 2023

Viewed by 2043

Abstract

Mobile streaming is increasingly viewed as a major advancement in the wireless industry, as it enables users to consume content without any time or space restrictions. Mobile TV serves as an excellent example of streaming, providing services for watching TV content on mobile [...] Read more.

Mobile streaming is increasingly viewed as a major advancement in the wireless industry, as it enables users to consume content without any time or space restrictions. Mobile TV serves as an excellent example of streaming, providing services for watching TV content on mobile devices. While previous studies have explored video-on-demand (VOD) purchasing factors in mobile TV, it is rare to find research examining differences based on users’ mobile TV usage types, such as subscribers and free users. Consequently, we investigated VOD purchase factors for 310 subscribers and 311 free mobile TV users. In other words, using 621 survey responses, we analyze the influence of personality traits, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, and mobile-related factors on users’ VOD purchase intentions and behavior. Our findings indicate that mobile TV utilization, hedonic needs, and subjective norms are positively related to VOD purchases, and that neuroticism, extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness positively impact mobile TV utilization. We also examine the relationships between the constructs within two sub-groups to highlight the differing perceptions and behavioral patterns of these groups regarding mobile TV utilization and VOD purchases. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Marketing and the Connected Consumer)

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21 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Recommendation Strategies for AI-Powered E-Commerce Platforms: A Study of Duopoly Manufacturers and Market Competition

by Chi Zhou, He Li, Linlin Zhang and Yufei Ren

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1086-1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020055 - 7 Jun 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3960

Abstract

Artificial intelligence-powered recommendation systems have gained popularity as a tool to enhance user experience and boost sales. Platforms often need to make decisions about which seller to recommend and the strength of the recommendation when conducting recommendations. Therefore, it is necessary to explore [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence-powered recommendation systems have gained popularity as a tool to enhance user experience and boost sales. Platforms often need to make decisions about which seller to recommend and the strength of the recommendation when conducting recommendations. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the recommendation strategy of the platform in the case of duopoly competition. We develop a game model where two competing manufacturers sell products through an agency contract on a common platform, and they can decide whether or not to provide recommendations to the manufacturers. Our highlight lies in the endogenous recommendation strength of the platform. The findings suggest that it is optimal for the platform to offer recommendation services when the commission rate is high. The platform also prefers to only recommend one manufacturer in the market with low or high competition, but it prefers to recommend both manufacturers in moderately competitive markets. From the view of manufacturers, they can benefit from the recommendation service as long as the commission rate is not too low. Moreover, recommending only one manufacturer consistently yields stronger recommendations compared to recommending multiple manufacturers. However, the impact of recommendation on prices is influenced by the commission rate and product substitutability. These results have significant implications for platform decision making and provide valuable insights into the trade-offs involved in the development of recommendation systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Supply Chain Management in the Era of Electronic Commerce)

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17 pages, 2701 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Fake Reviews to Fake News: A Novel Pandemic Model of Misinformation in Digital Networks

by Sreeraag Govindankutty and Shynu Padinjappurathu Gopalan

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1069-1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020054 - 4 Jun 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3138

Abstract

Digital networks and E-commerce platforms have had a profound effect on people’s personal, educational, and professional life all around the world. They offer space for advertising, sales, and disseminating news and information, even if they are frequently used for social marketing, interacting, and [...] Read more.

Digital networks and E-commerce platforms have had a profound effect on people’s personal, educational, and professional life all around the world. They offer space for advertising, sales, and disseminating news and information, even if they are frequently used for social marketing, interacting, and sharing thoughts among people. Currently, most E-commerce platforms utilize digital network space for advertisement and an increasing trend of social commerce is visible in all parts of the world. During the Post-COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid increase in digital media and E-commerce usage was observed in all parts of the world for personal and professional aspects. The increase in misinformation through these platforms is a major challenge that the current governments face today as rumors and fake news creates severe detrimental implications in society. In this work, we consider fake reviews and misinformation in online digital networks as a single disease, and thereby, by considering the recent trends in online social media marketing, we formulate a pandemic model for digital networks with a psychological state of human choice. The positivity and stability of the model are mathematically tested and validated. Our analysis and simulation prove that the system is stable and justifiable in the real-world digital environment. The generated pandemic model can be applied to assess the social and emotional intelligence of communities and consumers who are frequently exposed to misinformation and share fake news. Full article

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28 pages, 3685 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Pricing Decisions and Coordination in E-Commerce Supply Chain with Wholesale Price Contract Considering Focus Preferences

by Xide Zhu, Yao Song, Guihua Lin and Weina Xu

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1041-1068; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020053 - 3 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2301

Abstract

Decision makers’ behavioral preferences have always been important in coordinating the supply chain. Decision makers need to choose a partner wisely to increase the profitability of the entire supply chain, especially in the competitive e-commerce environment. In this paper, we examine a two-echelon [...] Read more.

Decision makers’ behavioral preferences have always been important in coordinating the supply chain. Decision makers need to choose a partner wisely to increase the profitability of the entire supply chain, especially in the competitive e-commerce environment. In this paper, we examine a two-echelon e-commerce supply chain with one retailer and one supplier using the most popular wholesale price contract to facilitate collaboration. Traditional research has shown that the classical expectation model cannot coordinate the supply chain. We apply the focus theory of choice to describe the retailer’s behavior as a follower, and we examine the impact of the retailer’s pricing decisions on the supplier under different focus preferences and the coordination for the entire supply chain. The lower the parameter φ, which represents the degree of positivity, and the higher the parameter κ, which represents the level of confidence, the closer the profit of the whole supply chain is to the coordination result—both are visualized through numerical experiments and images. In the case of φ determination, the lower the κ, the better the supply chain coordination. The finding implies that the retailer may be able to coordinate the supply chain and produce better results than the expectation model when he or she makes choices using a positive evaluation system that includes both higher levels of optimism and lower levels of confidence. The findings of the FTC model can simultaneously offer a theoretical foundation for expanding collaboration among supply chain participants and management insights for decision makers to choose cooperation partners. Full article

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21 pages, 994 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Luxury Tourist Destination in Housing for Tourist Purposes: A Study of the New Airbnb Luxe Platform in the Case of Marbella

by María Jesús Carrasco-Santos, Andrea Peña-Romero and Daniel Guerrero-Navarro

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 1020-1040; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020052 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2879

Abstract

Marbella has a wide range of luxury property rentals, which are the subject of study within the framework of the collaborative economy, where the Airbnb platform stands out as the most used channel. This research focuses on the analysis of the total number [...] Read more.

Marbella has a wide range of luxury property rentals, which are the subject of study within the framework of the collaborative economy, where the Airbnb platform stands out as the most used channel. This research focuses on the analysis of the total number of luxury villas offered in Marbella by Airbnb Luxe and Luxury Retreats. The methodology was carried out in four phases: the first phase involved a review of the literature on tourism and luxury and a study of Marbella as a luxury destination. The second phase focused on the analysis of the types of accommodation that Marbella offers. The third phase focused on the collection of data from the analyzed platform: Airbnb Luxe and Luxury Retreats. Finally, qualitative research consisting of in-depth interviews with owners and real estate agents focused on the luxury sector in Marbella was carried out. The results obtained yield relevant conclusions: Marbella is one of the main luxury holiday destinations in Spain, and the most demanded type of luxe accommodation in Marbella is large luxury villas. The term ‘luxury’ can be subjective, referring to such things as the visible and non-visible aspects that determine the category of a luxury property, hence the need to carry out a study on the luxury segment to establish a precise definition. Full article

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25 pages, 1368 KiB

Open AccessReview

Chatbots and Voice Assistants: Digital Transformers of the Company–Customer Interface—A Systematic Review of the Business Research Literature

by Carmen Bălan

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 995-1019; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020051 - 18 May 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 9676

Abstract

Chatbots and voice assistants are digital transformers of the interface between companies and customers. They have become part of the current practice of companies and represent a distinct domain of business research. This trend is significant in the broad business context marked by [...] Read more.

Chatbots and voice assistants are digital transformers of the interface between companies and customers. They have become part of the current practice of companies and represent a distinct domain of business research. This trend is significant in the broad business context marked by the digital transformation of companies, the fast development of e-commerce and the omnichannel behavior of customers. This article is a systematic review of the high-quality business research literature on chatbots and voice assistants. The purpose of this review is to critically analyze the current status of this literature from the perspective of the theories, contexts, characteristics and methodologies applied. The final aim of this review is to support the domain of study by suggesting a relevant agenda for future research. This review brings several contributions to the research domain, including the following: the identification of the main streams of high-quality business research in function of the theories in which the studies are grounded; the development of a conceptual framework of the investigated variables (antecedents, mediators, moderators and consequences); the creation of a conceptual framework of the humanlikeness of chatbots and voice assistants; the development of a conceptual framework of the consumer experience with chatbots and voice assistants and the presentation of insights for business practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Resilience and Economic Intelligence in the Post-Pandemic Era)

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19 pages, 3259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Return of the King: The Importance of Killer Content in a Competitive OTT Market

by Jongwha Kim and Changjun Lee

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 976-994; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020050 - 17 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

As the over-the-top (OTT) service market continues to evolve, with new large global players entering the already crowded market, competition between various OTT services for subscribers has intensified. In this study, we aim to investigate the impact of user preference content on the [...] Read more.

As the over-the-top (OTT) service market continues to evolve, with new large global players entering the already crowded market, competition between various OTT services for subscribers has intensified. In this study, we aim to investigate the impact of user preference content on the selection of specific OTT services by consumers. Specifically, we employ the conjoint experiment (CE) method to examine consumer utility, relative importance, and marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for over-the-top (OTT) subscription service attributes. Especially, the presence of users’ killer content and its impact on MWTP is the focus of our study. As a result of calculating the MWTP for each attribute, we found that users are willing to pay about 7633 KRW (5.8 USD) for the first-ranked killer content in their first preferred genre. To gain a deeper understanding of users’ willingness to pay for OTT services, we further analyzed the data by age group and the number of OTT services in use. Based on the results, we suggest strategic plans for local OTT operators to compete effectively in the fiercely competitive OTT market. Full article

17 pages, 1365 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Live Commerce Platforms: A New Paradigm for E-Commerce Platform Economy

by Junic Kim, Nianwen He and Ian Miles

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 959-975; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020049 - 10 May 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5888

Abstract

Live commerce is creating a new paradigm for e-commerce platform economy. This study aims to provide effective strategies that can be used for live commerce platform operation and management by analysing factors that influence consumer intentions to purchase. As a combination of e-commerce [...] Read more.

Live commerce is creating a new paradigm for e-commerce platform economy. This study aims to provide effective strategies that can be used for live commerce platform operation and management by analysing factors that influence consumer intentions to purchase. As a combination of e-commerce and live streaming, live commerce allows businesses to demonstrate products, answer customer questions, and provide personalized recommendations in a way that replicates the in-store experience. Thus, this study aims to provide effective strategies that can be used for the new e-commerce platform economy and market competition that live commerce platforms build by analysing factors that influence consumer intentions to purchase. This study was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on a survey of 237 live commerce users. The results of this study lend platform-providers a more comprehensive understanding of the functional and social factors that influence consumers’ decisions to make purchases on such platforms. The outcomes can further serve as a basis for improving platforms, providing consumers with a better consumption experience, and offering theoretical support for consumers to use related services rationally and efficiently. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Marketing and the Connected Consumer)

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31 pages, 13684 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Regional Digital Resilience and the 4Helix Model—The Higher Education Institutions’ Case in Romania

by Adriana Grigorescu, Cristina Lincaru, Throstur Olaf Sigurjonsson and Speranța Pîrciog

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 928-958; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020048 - 8 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3379

Abstract

Against the background of multiple and simultaneous global socio-economic shocks, coupled with digital transformation and the green transition, regional resilience triggers new structural transformations. The more complex processes that need to be addressed now require the usage of complex integrated tools. The novelty [...] Read more.

Against the background of multiple and simultaneous global socio-economic shocks, coupled with digital transformation and the green transition, regional resilience triggers new structural transformations. The more complex processes that need to be addressed now require the usage of complex integrated tools. The novelty of the integrated approach is the combination of the models and the synthetic spatial–temporal picture offered. The quadruple helix, or 4Helix, model puts Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the nexus of generating regional digital resilience. We posit a new mindset and behavior of human capital to reinforce innovation and knowledge production and transfer. We explore, using the Romanian national case, to what degree the spatial 4Helix model generates regional digital resilience as a positive externality of adoption of the ‘new normal’ digital education. We analyze this process in three steps. (1) We determine the spatial distribution of HEIs at the Romanian county level (NUTS3). (2) We calculate the regional static and dynamic resilience indexes (at NUTS2) as the outcome of the method for multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) by each region’s digital economy as well as individual and regional wealth, social digital use and social digital connectivity dimensions. (3) Lastly, we provide the result of overlaid maps and radar charts (using HEIs number and spatial coverage and each region’s static and dynamic digital resilience). These three classes of digital resilience models of 4Helix by region indicate a generalized failure in adopting digital education in Romania. The study contributes by adding a powerful tool to explore the complex processes or phenomena and generating an integrated perspective using a pre-existing framework. In doing so, it enables researchers to better understand and address society’s needs, co-create knowledge and solutions together with the end-users, maximize the impact of these solutions, optimize resources usage, and increase the transparency and accountability of the decision-making processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Resilience and Economic Intelligence in the Post-Pandemic Era)

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20 pages, 4348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Monitoring Events of Market Competitors: A Text Mining Method for Analyzing Massive Firm-Generated Social Media

by Hua Yuan, Wenjun Deng, Baojun Ma and Yu Qian

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 908-927; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020047 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3226

Abstract

Understanding how competitors act in a market is a critical component of strategic decision-making. In this paper, we propose a method to extract firm events from the textual content generated by firms in the market and explore the competitive relationships among firms based [...] Read more.

Understanding how competitors act in a market is a critical component of strategic decision-making. In this paper, we propose a method to extract firm events from the textual content generated by firms in the market and explore the competitive relationships among firms based on the spatiotemporal homogeneity of events of different firms. To this end, we first introduce experts to define a series of business events based on the content of corporate-generated texts; then, we propose algorithms to extract and enrich the feature words (triggers) of these business events to form better event classifiers. We subsequently use these classifiers to identify the business events recorded in all online texts published by companies. Finally, based on these results, we can obtain a sequence of activities/events for each firm in the market, which can be used to identify the evolutionary patterns of firms’ behavior in the market, as well as their potential competitive relationships. Considering that competition between companies in the market appears to be continuous at the strategic level, but the implementation of competitive behavior is expressed through their “events” in the market, identifying whether companies are “competing” in the market requires timely observation of the information about “events” in the market. However, obtaining accurate market information is complex and costly. Therefore, this study provides a way to bridge the gap between social media data and market competition “events”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Business Organization)

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19 pages, 1136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empowering Digital Marketing with Interactive Virtual Reality (IVR) in Interior Design: Effects on Customer Satisfaction and Behaviour Intention

by Yuk Ming Tang, Yui-yip Lau and Uen Lam Ho

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 889-907; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020046 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5172

Abstract

Interior design industries have evolved to adopt advanced digital and interactive virtual reality (IVR) technologies for promotion. Marketing using a platform with a virtual interior design feature is an approach that enables not only the building up of a positive image for an [...] Read more.

Interior design industries have evolved to adopt advanced digital and interactive virtual reality (IVR) technologies for promotion. Marketing using a platform with a virtual interior design feature is an approach that enables not only the building up of a positive image for an interior design firm but also allows customers to experience home design intuitively on the digital platform. This study researched the relationship between the three factors of aesthetics, ease of use, and information quality in digital marketing and consumer satisfaction. Data from 120 respondents were collected via the internet. The results generated from structural equation modelling indicated that the above factors positively influence customer satisfaction with a digital platform empowered with the IVR interior design. It was found that information quality has the most influence among the three factors. Despite numerous scholars having conducted in-depth research on digital marketing, existing research lacks a consumer perspective for examining what factors have the most significant impact on consumers. Moreover, relatively little work has been conducted to determine the customer’s perceptions towards the digital marketing approach using virtual interior design and its interactive features. A theoretical model for interactive virtual interior design features for digital marketing is thus proposed. Full article

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22 pages, 1666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Adoption and Openness of Livestreaming on the Retail Platform with Third-Party Sellers

by Shukun Liu, Wenli Li and Peng Wang

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 867-888; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020045 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2132

Abstract

Observing the fast development of livestreaming, this paper investigates its adoption on the retail platform and examines its impact on merchants. We develop a game-theoretic model in which a leading retailer and a third-party seller engage in price competition. Our model fully considers [...] Read more.

Observing the fast development of livestreaming, this paper investigates its adoption on the retail platform and examines its impact on merchants. We develop a game-theoretic model in which a leading retailer and a third-party seller engage in price competition. Our model fully considers the initiative of live streamers in this asymmetric competition. We find that the streamer’s cost and the seller’s initial awareness are two key factors affecting the adoption of livestreaming. Specifically, when the streamer’s cost is low, or it is intermediate and the seller’s initial awareness is high, the retailer adopts and opens livestreaming and the seller also adopts it; when both factors are intermediate, the retailer adopts livestreaming but does not open it to the seller; when both factors are high, the retailer adopts and opens livestreaming but the seller does not adopt it; otherwise, the retailer does not adopt livestreaming. Our results also suggest that the presence of livestreaming benefits the retailer but may hurt the seller especially when the seller’s initial awareness is high. Our findings provide relevant and useful implications for both the platform retailer and third-party seller in their livestreaming decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Digital Marketing and the Connected Consumer)

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19 pages, 1734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Explainable Artificial Intelligence Approach for Multi-Criteria ABC Item Classification

by Alaa Asim Qaffas, Mohamed-Aymen Ben HajKacem, Chiheb-Eddine Ben Ncir and Olfa Nasraoui

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 848-866; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020044 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3713

Abstract

Multi-criteria ABC classification is a useful model for automatic inventory management and optimization. This model enables a rapid classification of inventory items into three groups, having varying managerial levels. Several methods, based on different criteria and principles, were proposed to build the ABC [...] Read more.

Multi-criteria ABC classification is a useful model for automatic inventory management and optimization. This model enables a rapid classification of inventory items into three groups, having varying managerial levels. Several methods, based on different criteria and principles, were proposed to build the ABC classes. However, existing ABC classification methods operate as black-box AI processes that only provide assignments of the items to the different ABC classes without providing further managerial explanations. The multi-criteria nature of the inventory classification problem makes the utilization and the interpretation of item classes difficult, without further information. Decision makers usually need additional information regarding important characteristics that were crucial in determining the managerial classes of the items because such information can help managers better understand the inventory groups and make inventory management decisions more transparent. To address this issue, we propose a two-phased explainable approach based on eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) capabilities. The proposed approach provides both local and global explanations of the built ABC classes at the item and class levels, respectively. Application of the proposed approach in inventory classification of a firm, specialized in retail sales, demonstrated its effectiveness in generating accurate and interpretable ABC classes. Assignments of the items to the different ABC classes were well-explained based on the item’s criteria. The results in this particular application have shown a significant impact of the sales, profit, and customer priority as criteria that had an impact on determining the item classes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Advances in Supply Chain Management in the Era of Electronic Commerce)

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17 pages, 667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Recommendation System in E-Commerce with Profit-Support Fuzzy Association Rule Mining (P-FARM)

by Onur Dogan

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 831-847; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020043 - 6 Apr 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3870

Abstract

E-commerce is snowballing with advancements in technology, and as a result, understanding complex transactional data has become increasingly important. To keep customers engaged, e-commerce systems need to have practical product recommendations. Some studies have focused on finding the most frequent items to recommend [...] Read more.

E-commerce is snowballing with advancements in technology, and as a result, understanding complex transactional data has become increasingly important. To keep customers engaged, e-commerce systems need to have practical product recommendations. Some studies have focused on finding the most frequent items to recommend to customers. However, this approach fails to consider profitability, a crucial aspect for companies. From the researcher’s perspective, this study introduces a novel method called Profit-supported Association Rule Mining with Fuzzy Theory (P-FARM), which goes beyond just recommending frequent items and considers a company’s profit while making product suggestions. P-FARM is an advanced data mining technique that creates association rules by finding the most profitable items in frequent item sets. From the practitioners’ standpoints, this method helps companies make better decisions by providing them with more profitable products with fewer rules. The results of this study show that P-FARM can be a powerful tool for improving e-commerce sales and maximizing profit for businesses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Resilience and Economic Intelligence in the Post-Pandemic Era)

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17 pages, 2258 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Review of Blockchain Technology Adoption in the Tourism Industry from a Sustainability Perspective

by Juan F. Prados-Castillo, José Manuel Guaita Martínez, Agnieszka Zielińska and Dolores Gorgues Comas

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 814-830; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020042 - 3 Apr 2023

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 7386

Abstract

The deployment of Blockchain technology in the tourism industry is already becoming a reality with the gradual emergence of innovative business models. At its core is the promise of improving the efficiency of the tourism service value chain and enhancing the quality of [...] Read more.

The deployment of Blockchain technology in the tourism industry is already becoming a reality with the gradual emergence of innovative business models. At its core is the promise of improving the efficiency of the tourism service value chain and enhancing the quality of the service provided to the end customer. This paper analyses research trends focused on using Blockchain technology in tourism. The aim is to determine how this technology impacts the tourism sector and its sustainability. A systematic review, descriptive bibliometric analysis, and network analysis based on co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword analysis criteria, among others, have been used. The results reveal that the subject matter analysed is generating a growing trend in academic research in the fields of sustainable management and supply chain efficiency. The activities in the tourism sector that are incorporating this technology to a greater extent are those related to the areas of marketing, logistics, and smart business models, according to the data extracted from the analysis. This technology already enables the application of solutions that predict and promote tourist behaviour based on sustainable behaviour and consumption habits, generating value for the different stakeholders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain Commerce Ecosystem)

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19 pages, 646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Study of the Critical Success Factors of the Global Shipping Industry in the Digital Era

by Surinder Brrar, Eunha Lee and Tsz Leung Yip

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 795-813; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020041 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3574

Abstract

The global shipping industry faces many uncertainties which impact on how organisations within this sector will perform in the future. Research in the critical success factors which impact the global shipping industry in the digital era is lacking. This study plugs the gap [...] Read more.

The global shipping industry faces many uncertainties which impact on how organisations within this sector will perform in the future. Research in the critical success factors which impact the global shipping industry in the digital era is lacking. This study plugs the gap in the literature by identifying four key critical success factors which are innovation capability, risk governance capability, leadership and strategic capability, and technological capability. In addition, this study also found three organisational performance measures that are useful for senior management teams within the industry, namely, financial performance, operational performance and marketing performance. The results were then triangulated and validated by the case study method using a global shipping organisation. The findings establish a set of critical success factors and the corresponding relationships between the identified critical success factors and the identified organisational performance measures. The paper also provides managerial insights for industry practitioners for defining, prioritising and allocating resources in order to improve organisational performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Supply Chain Digitalization)

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18 pages, 910 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Digital Platform, Enterprise Digital Transformation, and Enterprise Performance of Cross-Border E-Commerce—From the Perspective of Digital Transformation and Data Elements

by Yunpeng Yang, Nan Chen and Hongmin Chen

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 777-794; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020040 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 11006

Abstract

The digital trade ecosystem’s development relies on the growth of cross-border e-commerce platforms. To ensure the continued growth of China’s digital trade, it is crucial to consider the service capabilities of digital platforms and the digital transformation capabilities of cross-border e-commerce firms. This [...] Read more.

The digital trade ecosystem’s development relies on the growth of cross-border e-commerce platforms. To ensure the continued growth of China’s digital trade, it is crucial to consider the service capabilities of digital platforms and the digital transformation capabilities of cross-border e-commerce firms. This study explores the impact of these factors on the performance of cross-border e-commerce companies, with digital transformation capability acting as a mediator. Empirical research reveals that the service capability of digital platforms is composed of supply chain communication and cost control abilities, which partially mediate the relationship between digital platform serviceability and cross-border e-commerce enterprise performance. Moreover, both the service capabilities of digital platforms and the digital transformation capabilities of cross-border e-commerce companies have a positive and significant impact on enterprise performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Utilizing Models for e-Business Decision-Making: From Data to Wisdom)

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12 pages, 2665 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sentiment and Emotion on Twitter: The Case of the Global Consumer Electronics Industry

by Claudia Pezoa-Fuentes, Danilo García-Rivera and Sebastián Matamoros-Rojas

J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2023, 18(2), 765-776; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer18020039 - 23 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3112

Abstract

Sentiment analysis is a new tool on new social media platforms, locations very attractive to the global consumer industry to investigate, due to their relevance and increased consumption in a pandemic. This study aims to determine the predominant sentiment and emotions on Twitter [...] Read more.

Sentiment analysis is a new tool on new social media platforms, locations very attractive to the global consumer industry to investigate, due to their relevance and increased consumption in a pandemic. This study aims to determine the predominant sentiment and emotions on Twitter through a sentiment analysis in the consumer electronics industry, according to the top 30 companies of the Consumer Electronic Show 2020, by analyzing 96,000 tweets with a total of 273,221 words. The methodology used is quantitative, of a descriptive type, that integrates the study of emotions and sentiment through a statistical analysis of the tweets with R. The main results identify that the predominant sentiment is of positive assessment and the emotions of anticipation and confidence were the most representative. The contribution of this research is to provide empirical evidence of the global consumer electronics industry for correct decision-making through a data language analysis procedure on Twitter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Customer Relationships in Electronic Commerce)

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J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res., Volume 18, Issue 2 (June 2023) – 20 articles

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