Active Consumers Research Articles

Examining gamification affordances for intrinsic needs of satisfaction in tourist engagement activities on digital platforms in Hong Kong

The effectiveness of gamification elements has been widely examined in different aspects over the past decade. However, recent research showed that not all gamification elements can effectively engage users or consumers in different domains including video games and online shopping activities. To examine these inconsistent results, affordance theory was expanded to propose a new affordance design model in the gamification context. This study included a questionnaire survey of 303 Hong Kong residents, aged 18- 60 years old. SmartPLS4.0 structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed. The findings indicated that the proposed gamification affordances were largely significant for consumers’ psychological satisfaction needs, except for hedonic-based features. The results also demonstrated that gamification serves as a rewarding tool for consumers to foster social connections and achieve self-fulfillment. This highlights the utilitarian value within the relationship between consumers and activities in tourism. The objective of this research was to identify which gamification affordances most effectively fulfilled consumers’ psychological need of satisfaction by incorporating self-determination theory. This study contributed using a new affordance model to understand consumer actions in the knowledge construction of gamification effectiveness, especially in the tourist markets and its impact on consumers’ psychological satisfaction needs. The effectiveness of gamification of reward-based affordances present that the this research provide valuable insights that can be used by marketers to develop effective online marketing strategies specifically for online tourism activities in Hong Kong.

The far right, banal nationalism and the reproduction of Islamophobia through the consumer activist campaign of Boycott Halal

The far right, banal nationalism and the reproduction of Islamophobia through the consumer activist campaign of Boycott Halal

The Impact of Social Media Influence and Online Shopping Habits on Consumer Behavior and Social Identity in the Digital Economy in Indonesia

This study examines the impact of social media influence and online shopping habits on consumer behavior and social identity in the context of Indonesia’s digital economy. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 280 respondents through a Likert-scale questionnaire, and Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) was employed to analyze the relationships. The results reveal that both social media influence and online shopping habits significantly affect consumer behavior and social identity. Additionally, consumer behavior and social identity were found to contribute strongly to the growth of the digital economy. The findings highlight the pivotal role of digital platforms in shaping consumer actions and identities, driving Indonesia’s digital economy. The study provides practical insights for businesses to leverage social media and e-commerce in influencing consumer behavior and for policymakers to foster a supportive digital infrastructure.

Enhancing the efficiency of e-commerce through digital technologies: Economic and legal aspects

The research is aimed at analyzing the economic and legal aspects of the functioning of digital technologies in the field of electronic commerce, as well as studying the impact of these technologies on the efficiency of processes and their interaction with various aspects of legislation regulating the field of electronic commerce. In the course of the research, literary sources and legal acts were analyzed with the aim of generalizing approaches to understanding electronic commerce and establishing the main principles of its regulation. The analysis of statistical data made it possible to identify trends in the development of the e-commerce market and the influence of negative external factors. In turn, the application of methods of generalization and systematization made it possible to determine the key aspects of the implementation of digital technologies to increase the efficiency of electronic commerce and identify regulatory gaps in this area. The results of the research confirm that e-commerce in Ukraine plays an important role in the digital economy, ensuring efficiency and profitability for businesses. An analysis of the e-commerce market showed the growth of the use of the Internet for shopping, even in difficult socio-political conditions. Therefore, despite the challenges facing the country, e-commerce remains a sustainable and powerful tool for business development and consumer activity. However, it is necessary to improve the legal framework in order to meet the requirements of modernity and to ensure the protection of consumers’ and market participants’ rights from technical and other risks related to electronic commerce.

Balancing the tradeoff between regulation and innovation for artificial intelligence: An analysis of top-down command and control and bottom-up self-regulatory approaches

In response to the rapid development of AI, several governments have established a variety of regulatory interventions for this technology. While some countries prioritize consumer protection through stringent regulation, others promote innovation by adopting a more hands-off approach. However, this tradeoff has not been analyzed systematically. We developed an economic theory on how the welfare-maximizing level of regulatory stringency for AI depends on various institutional parameters. Our game-theoretic model is motivated and built upon the comparison of regulatory documents for AI from the EU, the UK, the US, Russia, and China. The results show that if a government strives to find the right balance between innovation and consumer protection to maximize actual consumer welfare, stringent regulation is optimal when foreign competition is either high or low, whereas light-touch regulation is optimal when foreign competition is intermediate. Meanwhile, minimal regulation is rationalizable only if a government prioritizes other objectives in its agenda, such as maximizing innovation, domestic producer surplus, or perceived consumer welfare.

Exploring the Formation, Characteristics, and Impact of Consumer Psychological Expectations on Consumer Behavior in the Chinese Environment

Consumer decision-making is a complex process influenced by numerous factors, among which psychological expectations, as a potential force, play a key role in various consumer activities and have a profound impact on consumer purchasing behavior. This study aims to deeply analyze the formation mechanism, typical characteristics, and specific manifestations of consumer psychological expectations in the Chinese consumer market environment, and explore how these psychological expectations affect purchasing decisions. By revealing the inherent laws of consumer psychological expectations, this article aims to provide strategic guidance for enterprises, helping them improve sales performance and customer satisfaction by effectively managing consumer psychological expectations. The results of this study not only help enterprises to more accurately grasp consumer demand, optimize products and services in fierce market competition, but also provide empirical support for the development of consumer behavior theory, thereby enriching and deepening academic research in related fields.

The Effect of Food Image, Food Satisfaction on Culinary Quality and Behavioral Intention in Sampang Regency

This study aims to explore how perceptions of local food (food image) and consumer satisfaction with culinary experiences (food satisfaction) influence the perception of the culinary quality of the area and how these factors influence consumer behavior, such as intention to revisit or recommend. This study was conducted in Sampang Regency, an area known for its rich culinary heritage. The study population was local culinary consumers who had visited Pak Salim's Bebek Songkem restaurant located in Sampang Regency. Purposive sampling was used to determine respondents with a sample of 193 respondents. Structural equations were used as the analysis method using Smart PLS 4.0. Data were collected through a survey distributed to consumers who enjoyed Bebek Songkem. The study findings revealed that food image had a significant positive effect on culinary quality, while food satisfaction played an important role in strengthening this perception. In addition, food image and food satisfaction significantly influenced behavioral intentions, with higher culinary quality leading to a greater likelihood of positive consumer actions such as revisits and recommendations. These results underscore the importance of improving the image and satisfaction of local culinary experiences to promote Sampang as a culinary destination. This research offers practical insights for local businesses and policy makers in developing strategies to enhance culinary tourism and culinary experiences in the region.

Understanding Gen Z’s Online Purchase Behavior through their Hedonic and Utilitarian Motivation

The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in lockdowns, limiting consumer movement to their homes and preventing consumers from shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. Consequently, consumers were reliant on e-commerce to manage their daily purchases of goods and services. This exacerbated the use of e-commerce and fast-tracked the growth of the digital economy. In this study, Gen Z’s consumer motivation is investigated using hedonic and utilitarian motivation and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Consumer motivation remains a crucial part of consumer behavior studies given its prominence in influencing consumer action, consumer decision-making and preferences. In particular, the effects of hedonic and utilitarian motivation on online purchase behavior were investigated. This study utilized a quantitative approach through the deployment of a survey questionnaire online. The data from 156 respondents was analyzed using SmartPLS 4.0 utilizing Partial-Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. Approximately 44% of the respondents started shopping online for the first time during the pandemic (i.e., 2020 and 2022). The results indicated that the Gen Z respondents were motivated by utilitarian and hedonic motivation when shopping online, in particular by Idea Shopping motivation and Efficiency motivation. Additionally, Social Influence and Facilitating Conditions were significant factors in influencing Behavioural Intention, and Behavioural Intention influenced Purchase Behaviour. The evidence suggests that the respondents were not novice online shoppers but rather experienced online shoppers.

Frames of consumer mobilization and modern slavery

Using frames theory, this research offers insights into the contradictions of how anti-slavery Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) deploy the frames of responsible buyer and responsible citizen to mobilize consumers against slavery. The study examines the underlying assumptions and contradictions of the frames by drawing on framing theory and Judith Butler’s approach to “framing the frames”. Such an approach helps understand how NGOs obfuscate the responsibility of corporations in contributing to modern slavery. This research contributes to extant interpretation of consumer activism by pointing to how consumer mobilization can be more usefully explained as a contested terrain that is shaped by activist groups whose communication is characterized by contradictions and conflicts. It also broadens the scope of frame theory by foregrounding the ethics of communication frames.

Halkla İlişkilerde Tüketici Aktivizminin Rolü: Şirketler için Yeni Bir Paradigma

Consumer activism refers to consumers collectively acting to create change in companies, and this phenomenon has been further strengthened by the new communication tools and social media brought by the digital age. In the past, companies largely controlled trends and consumer preferences with traditional advertising and marketing strategies. However, consumers’ increasing awareness and organizational skills have changed these power dynamics. Now, consumers can make their voices heard through social media platforms and digital tools and become an effective force for social change. However, consumer activism can also create a potential public relations crisis for companies. The public’s demand for policy and practice changes in an organization can threaten the reputation and financial performance of companies. Therefore, managing consumer activism has become a fundamental element of public relations strategies. Companies should use public relations tools to protect their brand reputation and maintain consumer trust by developing proactive and reactive strategies. While proactive public relations emphasizes brand values and transparency before crises, reactive public relations offers fast and effective responses during crises. Integrating consumer activism into brand strategy can provide significant benefits by aligning a company’s core values with the concerns and expectations of its consumers. Social media is an effective tool for engaging with activist consumers. Using social media platforms, companies can listen to consumer feedback, engage in relevant online conversations, and address concerns. Additionally, measuring the impact of consumer activism on brand perception is also critical for companies. Using analytics tools, companies can track consumer feedback and interactions. This provides important data to improve future strategies and better respond to the demands of activist consumers. Consumer activism is driving organizations toward excellence by creating a more engaged and responsive approach to public relations. Key Words: Public Relations, Consumer, Activism, Brand, Paradigm.

The Influence of Green Advertising and Emotional Factors on Green Consumption

The advanced ideas concerning the protection of the environment, the principles of sustainable consumption have underscored the importance of emotions in consumers actions. This essay looks at the effect of green ads and emotions on green purchasing with the aim of improving the application of marketing strategies in sustainability. The emphasis is made on the interdisciplinary framework that examines the connection between green ads and emotional appeals triggering consumers green purchase intentions. The information gathered about the green advertising and the analysis of impact of emotional variables on consuming eco-products is provided through the literature review. The result also suggests that green advertising, green consumption and emotional factors are highly correlated. Positive emotions affect consumer responses and enhance communications leading to making higher purchase of green products through advertising. The use of appeals in green advertising is helpful in the encouragement of green consumption. Future research should incorporate long-term analyses and cross-cultural research to gain a better understanding of the role of affect in green purchasing decisions.

Development and evaluation of an online education module to improve clinician knowledge and management of eating disorders in the peripartum: a pre-post survey study

ObjectiveEating disorders (EDs) comprise a range of illnesses characterised by disordered eating, distressing thoughts, and changes in weight. EDs in the perinatal period are a growing concern. Maternity staff receive little training in this area and often report feeling ill-equipped to recognise or respond to presentations of ED during this time. The study aimed to develop and evaluate an online educational module for clinicians and support workers to improve knowledge of EDs in the perinatal period.MethodEducation modules were developed using a co-design process with consumer advocates, peer support workers, clinicians, and experts. Consumer perspectives, evidence-based videos, activities, and text relating to screening, management, monitoring and referral of perinatal individuals with EDs were included in the module. Quantitative and qualitative data from pre- and post- surveys were used to evaluate changes in knowledge and confidence before and after completing the module, and to assess staff satisfaction, usability, and obtain feedback for improvement.ResultsUse of the online education module significantly increased staff knowledge of EDs in the perinatal period. Participants also felt more confident in discussing the topic with patients, screening, supporting, and referring a person with ED in the perinatal period. Participants also reported the module was engaging and easy-to-use.ConclusionsFindings indicate that the ED online education module is an engaging and easy-to-use tool for improving the knowledge and skills of the healthcare workforce, thereby improving patient care and health outcomes. The development of additional online resources for clinicians would be beneficial for increasing staff capability and improving patient services.

Securing Repair: Examining Cybersecurity's Influence on the Right to Repair

ABSTRACTCybersecurity is a perennial concern for technology companies, consumers, and policymakers. Recently it has become a lever of opposition against the Right to Repair movement as companies and industry groups position security and reparability as antagonistic, even incompatible, interests. This paper pushes back on those claims. We use critical discourse analysis to explore two contemporary controversies at the intersection of security and repair: (1) the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's statements concerning automotive repair in Massachusetts and (2) the memorandum of understanding between John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Federation concerning agricultural equipment repair. We find that security concerns are raised as featureless specters of harm rarely supported by concrete or compelling evidence that reparability risks security. Rather, these arguments reflect a rhetorical strategy aimed at thwarting the repair activities of consumers and independent technicians, shifting ongoing policy debates, and influencing public sentiment around the right to repair.

Oral processing of bakery products: An overview of current status and future outlook

Food oral processing (FOP) is an emerging research topic that allows a better comprehension of the relation between intrinsic food factors (physicochemical and sensory properties), and human physiology and eating behaviours. FOP can then help in the design of novel and healthier food to meet both quality requirements and consumer needs. In this context, this review presents the current state of knowledge and new insights for future research concerning FOP of bakery products. The application of FOP in bakery science is new, with different protocols and related evaluation being applied, as detailed in this review. The current knowledge shows that bread structure and texture, influenced by formulation and process conditions, as well as the crust and shortenings present, impact bread breakdown and bolus formation, sensory perception, and food physiological effects such as glycaemic response, satiation, and satiety. For a better comprehension of oral processing, cross-modal perception between sensory attributes is used to understand consumer perception and this is carried out using both in vivo, and in vitro methods. This review highlighted the great potential of FOP to assist researchers and producers to face the current challenges relating to i – salt, fat and sugar reduction in bakery products to fulfil current food nutrition policies, ii – the design of healthier bakery products, and iii – the development of bakery products for consumers with special dietary requirements and ageing needs. In conclusion, FOP shows great potential to assist in the development of novel and healthier foods to meet actual food nutrition policies and consumer needs and should be more explored in bakery science and production.

Управление на кризи в социалните медии

The provided text contains excerpts from the monograph Crisis Management in social media. The passage examines the crucial role of social media in contemporary crisis management, particularly in the context of public relations (PR). It emphasises that the rapid rise of social media has created new challenges for organisations, requiring them to adapt their crisis communication strategies to this dynamic digital environment. In the full text of the monograph, the author explores various types of crises that can emerge online, such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and consumer activism, and offers strategies for effectively managing these situations. The monograph also underscores the importance of developing a well-structured crisis communication plan that incorporates digital tools and platforms to ensure a timely and appropriate response. This excerpt highlights the necessity of continuous social media monitoring and real-time engagement with stakeholders to mitigate the impact of crises on an organisation’s reputation. Additionally, the text provides practical guidelines for creating and implementing crisis management tactics, including press releases, virtual press conferences, temporary crisis websites, and more.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Songs in Advertisements: A Cognitive Stylistic Study

Advertisements fulfil a significant role in social life by directing and guiding consumer actions and practices and shaping cultural norms. They not only support products and services but also reproduce and strengthen societal standards and norms. This paper explores the functionality of songs used in advertising within the field of cognitive stylistics. This field of research offers useful information into how cognitive processes and linguistic choices interact to form the interpretation and influence of discourses. The research questions are: (1) How do cognitive stylistic features enhance the influence of songs on advertising? (2) How do cognitive stylistic features shape customers' attitudes and behaviours? To examine the research questions, this paper uses a qualitative analysis method. The data is made up of a song used in advertisements, which will be investigated to detect cognitive stylistic elements and their influence on consumer viewpoints and behaviors. We hypothesize, through applying the mixed cognitive stylistics model, that the manifestation of cognitive stylistic aspects in songs enriches their functionality in grasping and captivating the intended audience. The findings have themes for advertisers, offering perspectives on how to successfully interact with their target audience through songs and how to evaluate the effectiveness of their advertising efforts.

MCI모형을 이용한 중국 옌타이시 대형소매점 매출예측 및 상권영향분석

Recent research on GIS analysis, spatial interaction models, and site selection for large retail stores is actively underway in China both domestically and internationally. However, most studies tend to rely on secondary data provided by government agencies, neglecting research based on actual consumer survey data. Therefore, this study aimed to improve methods for analyzing commercial areas of large-scale retail stores in China by proposing the use of consumer data to enhance existing spatial interaction models. Specifically, by conducting surveys among consumers who actually visit large-scale retail stores, basic data such as store visit rates and visitor travel distances were collected to construct the MCI model. Through this approach, the study estimated the visit probability and market share of large-scale retail stores, and analyzed the impact of market environmental changes on commercial areas. Firstly, based on address data from 279 Chinese consumers, the study area was divided into 44 regions. These regions were combined with information on consumer shopping patterns and store details to construct a matrix of interactions between regions and large-scale retail stores. Secondly, important parameters in the MCI model, such as store attractiveness index and distance sensitivity, were estimated through OLS regression analysis. Findings revealed that the store type (regional large-scale retail, urban large-scale retail) did not significantly impact on consumers’ store preferences. Instead, customer visits exhibited an inverse relationship with distance and a direct relationship with store size. These estimated results were consistent with the theoretical perspectives of spatial interaction models. Thirdly, to examine how changes in the retail environment may affect retail businesses within commercial areas, the study focused on changes in sales and market share of surrounding retail businesses when a specific store expanded its area or entered a new region. The results showed that both expanding store area and entering new regions had negative impacts on other existing stores.

Parching for Principle: Hotel Boycotts in Regional Australia, 1901–20

This article serves as the first in-depth study of the nature, dynamics and growth of a set of consumer boycotts in early twentieth-century Australia. Labelled “beer strikes,” these targeted hotels over issues such as the price and quality of alcohol, food and accommodation, as well as the treatment of staff. The article examines how campaigners created and adapted a body of tactics and forms of organisation between 1901 and 1920, to the point where beer strikes became an established and recurring form of contestation. Identifying beer strikes as a primarily regional tactic, it also sheds new light on consumer activism outside of cities. It finds that beer strikes had continuities with other forms of working-class activism: making use of methods of organisation rooted in unions and in labour politics, and drawing on modern adaptions of ideas concerning “fair” prices and rightful compensation for work. It demonstrates that boycotts played a greater role in Australian working-class distributive and consumer struggles than has been previously acknowledged.

The Role of Teens’ and Parental Intrinsic and Materialistic Goals in Teens’ Activities in Four Domains of Activism

The study is aimed at determining how teens’ intrinsic and materialistic goals and the importance of these goals for their parents are related to teens’ activities in four domains of activism—political activism (PA), social activism (SA), environmental activism (EA) and consumer activism (CA). A total of 459 Polish teens aged 16–18 were surveyed, and data was collected using a computer-assisted web interview technique. The results show that teens’ preference for materialistic goals negatively correlates with their activities for SA, EA and CA, while preference for intrinsic goals positively correlates with activities for EA and CA. Moreover, mothers’ materialistic goals positively correlate with teens’ activities for PA and SA, while intrinsic goals negatively correlate with teens’ activities for PA. Fathers’ materialistic goals positively correlate with teens’ activities in all four domains of activism, and intrinsic goals positively correlate with teens’ activities in all the domains except SA.

A new composite index to assess environmental consciousness using survey data and big data: Empirical evidence from European consumers

Environmental consciousness is a multi-dimensional construct that encompasses several dimensions related to pro-environmental attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. The academic literature has attempted to conceptualise and operationalise environmental consciousness over the last 20 years, resulting in a wide variety of measures.However, the available measures are country-specific and with a predominant U.S. focus, based on convenience samples, and rather limited in terms of interpretability and external validity. To overcome these limitations, the present study develops an index of environmental consciousness at both the micro (consumer) and macro (country) levels, taking into account the four main dimensions of environmental consciousness: the affective, cognitive, active and dispositional dimensions. By analysing more than 27 000 “Eurobarometer 92.4” responses from consumers in the 28 EU Member States in 2019, this paper develops a comprehensive measure of consumer environmental consciousness that captures the heterogeneity across European countries. To assess the robustness of the index, the link between environmental consciousness and life satisfaction is also examined. The index is also compared with a big data-based index using Google Trends data on environmental search categories. The results show differences in environmental consciousness between European countries. The link between environmental consciousness and life satisfaction is also supported, in line with previous research in this area. Finally, the index appears to be strongly correlated with actual consumer search patterns on Google. The findings have implications for businesses willing to enter in new markets and policy makers on how to measure and assess environmental consciousness.