Insights into Contemporary Consumer Behavior: New Perspectives on Social Media and Technological Innovation

Dear Colleagues,

In the past decade, consumer behavior has undergone a profound transformation, primarily driven by the rapid rise of social media platforms and technological innovations. As journal Guest Editors, we are delighted to present this Special Issue dedicated to exploring the multifaceted dimensions of contemporary consumer behavior in the context of these evolving digital landscapes. In this succinct introduction, we provide a scientific background and highlight the paramount importance of this research area.

The advent and widespread adoption of social media platforms have revolutionized communication patterns, reshaped information sharing, and created new avenues for consumer engagement. Social media platforms have become integral to daily life, influencing opinions, shaping preferences, and ultimately shaping consumer choices. Simultaneously, technological innovations, including augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, have further disrupted traditional consumption patterns. These technological advancements offer novel opportunities for personalized marketing, product development, and data-driven insights.

This Special Issue serves as a vital avenue to explore and understand the implications of social media and technological innovation on contemporary consumer behavior. The digital landscape has become an essential component of the modern consumer journey, necessitating an in-depth examination of the underlying mechanisms driving these new behaviors.

(1) Aim of the Special issue and how the subject relates to the journal scope.

The aim of this Special Issue, entitled "Insights into Contemporary Consumer Behavior: New Perspectives on Social Media and Technological Innovation," is to comprehensively examine the evolving consumer behavior influenced by social media and technological advancements. The Issue seeks to explore the impact of these changes on consumer decision-making, brand perception, customer experiences, and sustainable consumption practices. By collating diverse contributions, this Special Issue aims to advance our understanding of the intricate interplay between technology, consumer behavior, and sustainability.

The subject matter of this Special Issue aligns seamlessly with the scope of the journal Sustainability, which is dedicated to publishing research addressing sustainable development, environmental conservation, social responsibility, and economic prosperity. This Special Issue contributes to the journal's mission by exploring how social media and technological innovation influence consumer behavior and, consequently, how consumer choices impact sustainability. The interdisciplinary approach and focus on sustainable consumer behavior and ethical implications align directly with the journal's commitment to fostering collaborative efforts and advancing sustainable practices for a more equitable and environmentally conscious world.

(2) Suggest themes.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Impact of influencers and user-generated content: exploring the effects of influencers and user-generated content on consumer behavior, brand perception, and purchase intentions in the era of social media;
• Personalized marketing and artificial intelligence: analyzing the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in personalized marketing strategies and its impact on consumer engagement and satisfaction;
• Social media and sustainable consumption: examining how social media platforms can promote sustainable consumption practices and encourage environmentally responsible behaviors among consumers;
• Social media trends and emerging technologies: investigating the impact of emerging technologies on social media trends and consumer behavior, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G connectivity;
• Social media, technology, and the future of retail: examining the role of social media and technology in shaping the future of retail, including online shopping trends and the integration of virtual and physical retail experiences.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Donghong Zhu
Dr. Shichang Liang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• augmented reality
• virtual reality
• artificial intelligence
• sustainable consumption
• cross-cultural consumer behavior
• emerging technologies
• digital well-being
• user-generated content
• social media influences
• digital marketing