Effects of virtual try-on technology as an innovative e-commerce tool on consumers' online purchase intentions

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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the role of using augmented reality (AR) in the form of virtual try-on technology in consumers' purchase decision-making process.Design/methodology/approachThe study, executed in a beauty industry context, uses the value-based adoption model (VAM). Data were collected by means of a survey carried out on 238 Tunisian women. Subjects performed an experimental task using the virtual try-on (VTO) application in the L’Oréal website. Web-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data, which was processed using an exploratory factor analysis and partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings shows that perceived value is positively related to purchase intentions and it was affected by both perceived benefits and perceived costs. In particular, perceived benefit (perceived usefulness) was found to have a strong positive effect on perceived value. Moreover, it turns out that perceived enjoyment does not have a significant effect on the perceived value. In terms of perceived costs, perceived intrusiveness was found to limit perceived value. The results also show a significant relationship between AR characteristics and perceived benefits. For personal traits, personal innovativeness is found positively influencing perceived usefulness, but it shows no significant effect on perceived enjoyment.Practical implicationsCompanies should highlight the benefits for consumers (interactivity, informativeness and usefulness) and attempt to reduce the costs (intrusiveness) related to the use of VTO AR technology, which can play a substantial role in determining the perceived value and purchase intentions.Originality/valueThe existent literature, which examines the AR in e-tailing, shows weak acknowledgment of theories related to consumer barriers to AR adoption in e-tailing, they overlook the role of consumer psychology and individual differences in AR acceptance. Thus, this study contributes to the literature by enhancing the understanding of the roles that AR based VTO technology plays in determining consumers’ online purchase intentions by extending the application of perceived value theory and taking into account its characteristics and personal traits that play a role in weakening or strengthening the customer's benefits and cost perceptions.