Journal Description
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of electronic commerce, published quarterly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), dblp, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Business) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Business, Management and Accounting )
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 33.1 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.9 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2025).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
Impact Factor:
4.6 (2024);
5-Year Impact Factor:
5.1 (2024)
Latest Articles
From Visibility to Trust: The Impact of Agricultural Product Packaging Images in Livestreaming on Consumer Perception and Repurchase Intention
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030248 - 11 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study investigates how the packaging image of agricultural products in livestreaming commerce influences consumers’ repurchase intentions and, on this basis, formulates effective packaging improvement strategies to enhance repurchase intention. Focusing on agricultural product packaging, we conducted an online survey of 392 consumers
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This study investigates how the packaging image of agricultural products in livestreaming commerce influences consumers’ repurchase intentions and, on this basis, formulates effective packaging improvement strategies to enhance repurchase intention. Focusing on agricultural product packaging, we conducted an online survey of 392 consumers with livestream shopping experience and employed a combined approach of structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to analyze the effects of packaging image on repurchase intention. Starting from elements of packaging design—such as external appearance, cultural cues, imagery, and materials—we examined color schemes, typography, and illustration styles and further explored how these factors shape repurchase intention by elevating consumers’ perceived value. The findings indicate that the information-conveying functions of packaging—namely the communication of product culture, quality, and distinctive attributes—have a significant impact on repurchase intention. SEM results reveal that perceived value plays a pivotal mediating role between packaging image and repurchase intention. Complementarily, ANN analysis identifies visual appearance as the strongest predictor of repurchase intention among all packaging elements. Building on these insights, the study proposes concrete packaging design strategies, including optimizing visual appearance to highlight brand distinctiveness; distilling design symbols to narrate brand stories; and mining cultural connotations to strengthen cultural expression. This research not only verifies the importance of packaging design in boosting consumers’ repurchase intentions but also offers a practical strategic framework that can be extended to packaging design practices for other agricultural products. It provides new theoretical support and practical guidance for the field, offering a valuable reference for future research and practice.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Livestreaming and Influencer Marketing)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Examining the Predictors of Consumer Trust and Social Commerce Engagement: A Systematic Literature Review
by
Asiri Ahmad, Norjihan Abdul Ghani and Suraya Hamid
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030247 - 8 Sep 2025
Abstract
Trust and engagement in social commerce are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of consumers’ purchase intentions. This study aims to review the existing literature on consumer trust and engagement in social commerce by identifying the main predictors, examining research trends and gaps, and
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Trust and engagement in social commerce are increasingly recognized as critical drivers of consumers’ purchase intentions. This study aims to review the existing literature on consumer trust and engagement in social commerce by identifying the main predictors, examining research trends and gaps, and suggesting clear directions for future studies to better understand and support consumer behavior in this context. The study conducted a systematic literature review and a thematic analysis. The findings showed that four main themes were identified, including technological, organizational, social, and motivational. Under these four themes, eighteen sub-themes were identified. This study is innovative in systematically integrating predictors of consumer trust and engagement into a unified framework that positions trust as a mediator, and in developing a thematically grounded synthesis of four themes and eighteen sub-themes, highlighting underexplored areas such as entertainment and emerging technologies for future research. The studies of consumer trust and engagement are increasing in emerging economies. The study highlights the gaps in the current literature, including inadequate integration across theme categories, insufficient focus on emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, and a lack of examination of cultural and emotional aspects. Future research should deploy longitudinal designs, cross-cultural comparisons, and mixed-methods techniques to address these gaps. This study enhances the comprehension of trust and engagement in social commerce, offering significant insights for platform developers, marketers, and policymakers.
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(This article belongs to the Section e-Commerce Analytics)
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Open AccessArticle
AI Digital Human Responsiveness and Consumer Purchase Intention: The Mediating Role of Trust
by
Jinpeng Wen and Xiaohua Li
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030246 - 8 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study investigates how AI-driven virtual anchors affect consumers’ purchase intentions by identifying their key attributes, underlying mechanisms, and configurational interplay. We integrate latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) into a unified methodological framework. Empirical
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This study investigates how AI-driven virtual anchors affect consumers’ purchase intentions by identifying their key attributes, underlying mechanisms, and configurational interplay. We integrate latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) into a unified methodological framework. Empirical evidence demonstrates that the public visibility of virtual anchors exerts a significant positive impact on purchase intention, whereas professionalism, responsiveness, and personalization primarily cultivate consumer pleasure and trust, yet exert limited direct influence on purchase decisions. Emotional states—arousal, pleasure, and trust—mediate the relationship between anchor characteristics and purchase intention. fsQCA further reveals that high purchase intention emerges when responsiveness serves as a necessary condition, trust operates as a pivotal hub, and arousal/pleasure function as emotional conduits; conversely, low purchase intention is chiefly attributable to deficiencies in visibility, responsiveness, and trust. By synthesizing the SOR (stimulus-organism-response) model with the PAD (Pleasure-Arousal-Dominance) emotion theory, this research extends theoretical insights into consumer behavior within e-commerce live-streaming contexts and provides actionable guidance for optimizing virtual anchor strategies, thereby advancing both standardization and innovation in the industry.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Commerce and Information Management Towards the Digital Era)
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Open AccessArticle
Unpacking Customer Experience in Online Shopping: Effects on Satisfaction and Loyalty
by
Paulo Botelho Pires, Beatriz Martins Perestrelo and José Duarte Santos
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030245 - 6 Sep 2025
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Drawing on experience–satisfaction–loyalty, this study models how specific digital retail interface attributes translate into behavioural outcomes. Survey data from Portuguese online shoppers were analysed with PLS-SEM to test a formative–reflective framework linking Interactivity and Technologies, Trust–Security–Privacy, Fulfilment and Service Quality, Usability and Web
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Drawing on experience–satisfaction–loyalty, this study models how specific digital retail interface attributes translate into behavioural outcomes. Survey data from Portuguese online shoppers were analysed with PLS-SEM to test a formative–reflective framework linking Interactivity and Technologies, Trust–Security–Privacy, Fulfilment and Service Quality, Usability and Web Design, Personalisation and Customisation and Omnichannel Integration to customer experience (CX), customer satisfaction (CS), customer loyalty (CL) and electronic word of mouth (eWOM). The model explains 62.6% of CX, 70.1% of CS and 66.7% of CL. CX is strongly associated with CS and CS, in turn, with CL; associations with eWOM are non-significant, revealing a theoretical blind spot around advocacy. Interactivity and Technologies, Trust–Security–Privacy and Fulfilment and Service Quality emerge as the most significant antecedents of CX, whereas Omnichannel Integration is inert. The findings advance digital commerce theory by decoupling advocacy from evaluative satisfaction and by reconceptualising integration as multidimensional. Practically, they prioritise investment in interactive, secure and fulfilment capabilities while signalling that loyalty is not associated with advocacy. This study concludes by outlining measurement refinements and longitudinal avenues to capture social–motivational drivers of eWOM.
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Open AccessArticle
The Impact of Mobile Advertising Cue Types on Consumer Response Behaviors: Evidence from a Field Experiment
by
Yuan Li, Xiaoyu Deng and Banggang Wu
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030244 - 5 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study investigates how different mobile advertising cues (WOM, product, and price cues) affect consumer responses in terms of advertisement clicks and purchases. A large-scale field experiment was conducted on a mobile online learning platform with 45,000 users representing different customer life cycle
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This study investigates how different mobile advertising cues (WOM, product, and price cues) affect consumer responses in terms of advertisement clicks and purchases. A large-scale field experiment was conducted on a mobile online learning platform with 45,000 users representing different customer life cycle stages, in which users were randomly assigned to one of three mobile advertisement types. Behavioral data on clicks and purchases were collected, and the dual-system processing model was used to analyze mediating effects. Consumers were more likely to click on adverts featuring WOM and price cues than product cues, but less likely to purchase. Purchasing experience moderated this effect: experienced consumers showed higher purchase probabilities for WOM and price cues. Affective processing mediated click behavior, while cognitive processing mediated purchases. This study advances cue theory in the mobile context by identifying distinct psychological and behavioral mechanisms driving consumer engagement and conversion. It highlights the importance of tailoring mobile advert strategies based on cue type and user experience.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)
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Open AccessArticle
Research on the Influence Mechanism of AI Sound Cues on Decision Outcomes from the Perspective of Perceptual Contagion Theory
by
Xintao Yu, Qing Gu and Xiaochen Liu
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030243 - 5 Sep 2025
Abstract
As AI recommendation systems become increasingly important in consumer decision-making, leveraging sound cues to optimize user interaction experience has become a key research topic. Grounded in the theory of perceptual contagion, this study centers on sound cues in AI recommendation scenarios, systematically examining
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As AI recommendation systems become increasingly important in consumer decision-making, leveraging sound cues to optimize user interaction experience has become a key research topic. Grounded in the theory of perceptual contagion, this study centers on sound cues in AI recommendation scenarios, systematically examining their impact on consumer choice and choice satisfaction, as well as the underlying psychological mechanisms. Study 1 (hotel recommendation, N = 155) demonstrated that embedding sound cues into recommendation interfaces significantly increased consumer choice and choice satisfaction. Study 2 (laptop recommendation, N = 155) further revealed that this effect was mediated by preference fluency. Contrary to expectations, AI literacy did not moderate these effects, suggesting that sound cues exert influence across different user groups regardless of technological expertise. Theoretically, this study (1) introduces the theory of perceptual contagion into AI-human interaction research; (2) identifies preference fluency as the core mediating mechanism; and (3) challenges the traditional assumptions about the role of AI literacy. Practically, this study proposes a low-cost and highly adaptable design strategy, providing a new direction for recommendation systems to shift from content-driven to experience-driven. These findings enrich the understanding of sensory influences in digital contexts and offer practical insights for optimizing the design of AI platforms.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Neuromarketing and Sensory Experience in the Age of Emerging Technologies)
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Open AccessArticle
“Sharing Is Bonding”: How Influencer Self-Disclosure Fuels Word-of-Mouth via Consumer Identification
by
Xiaoxue Wang, Xin Chen, Miao Miao and Muhammad Khayyam
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030242 - 5 Sep 2025
Abstract
The growing influence of social media personalities in shaping consumer behavior presents significant opportunities and challenges for marketers. This research integrates Social Identity Theory with the influencer marketing literature to investigate how influencer self-disclosure affects word-of-mouth intentions through consumer identification. Across four experiments
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The growing influence of social media personalities in shaping consumer behavior presents significant opportunities and challenges for marketers. This research integrates Social Identity Theory with the influencer marketing literature to investigate how influencer self-disclosure affects word-of-mouth intentions through consumer identification. Across four experiments (N = 1048), we demonstrate that high influencer self-disclosure consistently increases consumers’ word-of-mouth intentions compared to low self-disclosure. Consumer identification with the influencer mediates this relationship, providing a psychological mechanism through which personal narratives translate into advocacy behaviors. Furthermore, we identify two important boundary conditions: self-concept clarity moderates the relationship between self-disclosure and identification, with stronger effects for consumers experiencing identity uncertainty; and cultural collectivism orientation moderates the identification-to-WOM pathway, with collectivistic mindsets amplifying the translation of identification into advocacy. These findings contribute to both theory and practice by elucidating the psychological processes underlying influencer effectiveness and offer strategic guidance for optimizing influencer communication across diverse consumer segments and cultural contexts.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)
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Open AccessArticle
User Psychological Perception and Pricing Mechanism of AI Large Language Model
by
Xu Yan, Yiting Hu, Jianhua Zhu and Xiaodong Yang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030241 - 4 Sep 2025
Abstract
With the rapid growth of user demand for large language models (LLMs) in their work, the application market is driving intense competition among large language model providers (LLMPs). Users have different preferences and psychological perceptions towards the charging models of different LLMPs. LLMPs
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With the rapid growth of user demand for large language models (LLMs) in their work, the application market is driving intense competition among large language model providers (LLMPs). Users have different preferences and psychological perceptions towards the charging models of different LLMPs. LLMPs with different intelligence levels must design pricing strategies based on diverse user characteristics. To investigate the impact of user heterogeneity on the strategic pricing of competing LLMPs, this paper establishes a competitive model with two providers, comprising a highly intelligent initial LLM provider and a follower provider. Both providers can independently decide to adopt either a subscription model or a pay-per-use model, resulting in four pricing mode combinations (dual subscription SS, subscription-pay-per-use SD, pay-per-use-subscription DS, dual pay-per-use DD). The study shows that when the pay-per-use model is adopted, the user’s psychological perception of the “tick-tock effect” reduces the provider’s service price and profit, as the perceived psychological cost lowers the user’s valuation of the product, thereby decreasing demand. Furthermore, we analyze the equilibrium strategies for pricing mode selection by the two providers. The results indicate that the subscription model is not always advantageous for providers. Both providers will only choose to adopt the subscription model when both user usage frequency and perceived psychological cost are high. Conversely, when both user usage frequency and perceived psychological cost are low, the two providers will not simultaneously adopt the subscription model. Interestingly, as the product intelligence levels of the two providers converge, their choices of pricing modes are also more inclined to diverge. These insights guide LLMPs to strategically adjust their pricing models based on user behavioral patterns to maximize profitability in the competitive AI market.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue ICEC 2025: Transforming E-Commerce with AI: Navigating Innovation, Personalization, and Ethical Challenges)
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Open AccessArticle
Generative and Adaptive AI for Sustainable Supply Chain Design
by
Sabina-Cristiana Necula and Emanuel Rieder
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030240 - 4 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study explores how the integration of generative artificial intelligence, multi-objective evolutionary optimization, and reinforcement learning can enable sustainable and cost-effective decision-making in supply chain strategy. Using real-world retail demand data enriched with synthetic sustainability attributes, we trained a Variational Autoencoder (VAE) to
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This study explores how the integration of generative artificial intelligence, multi-objective evolutionary optimization, and reinforcement learning can enable sustainable and cost-effective decision-making in supply chain strategy. Using real-world retail demand data enriched with synthetic sustainability attributes, we trained a Variational Autoencoder (VAE) to generate plausible future demand scenarios. These were used to seed a Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) aimed at identifying Pareto-optimal sourcing strategies that balance delivery cost and CO2 emissions. The resulting Pareto frontier revealed favorable trade-offs, enabling up to 50% emission reductions for only a 10–15% cost increase. We further deployed a deep Q-learning (DQN) agent to dynamically manage weekly shipments under a selected balanced strategy. The reinforcement learning policy achieved an additional 10% emission reduction by adaptively switching between green and conventional transport modes in response to demand and carbon pricing. Importantly, the agent also demonstrated resilience during simulated supply disruptions by rerouting decisions in real time. This research contributes a novel AI-based decision architecture that combines generative modeling, evolutionary search, and adaptive control to support sustainability in complex and uncertain supply chains.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digitalization and Sustainable Supply Chain)
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When AI Meets Livestreaming: Exploring the Impact of Virtual Anchor on Tourist Travel Intention
by
Zhengan Zhu, Colin M. Hall, Li Tao, Zichan Qin and Yue Li
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030239 - 3 Sep 2025
Abstract
The development of Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought new ideas and opportunities to destination marketing. However, existing studies lack sufficient empirical research to explore the impact of AI anchors on tourists’ travel intentions. To fill this research gap, this study explores the
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The development of Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has brought new ideas and opportunities to destination marketing. However, existing studies lack sufficient empirical research to explore the impact of AI anchors on tourists’ travel intentions. To fill this research gap, this study explores the influence of perceived anthropomorphism and perceived playfulness on tourists’ telepresence, inspiration, and travel intention in AI virtual anchor-based travel livestreaming. Through the analysis of 291 valid data sets, it was found that in AI virtual anchor-based travel livestreaming, perceived anthropomorphism positively affects telepresence but does not affect tourists’ inspiration. Playfulness positively affects tourists’ telepresence and inspiration in AI virtual anchor-based travel livestreaming. This study also found that neither perceived anthropomorphism nor perceived playfulness directly affects tourists’ travel intention, but both can be achieved through the mediating effect of telepresence. The findings provide empirical evidence of the value for tourism researchers and destinations in adopting AI technology for livestreaming.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Digital Technologies and Consumer Behavior)
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Open AccessArticle
Digital Selves and Curated Choices: How Social Media Self-Presentation Enhances Consumers’ Experiential Consumption Preferences
by
Yun Zou, Shengqi Zhang and Yong Wang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030238 - 3 Sep 2025
Abstract
With the rise of e-commerce, mobile devices, and social media, consumers’ online social and shopping behaviors have become increasingly integrated, making social commerce a major force in the digital marketplace. In this context, consumer behaviors on social media can exert a profound influence
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With the rise of e-commerce, mobile devices, and social media, consumers’ online social and shopping behaviors have become increasingly integrated, making social commerce a major force in the digital marketplace. In this context, consumer behaviors on social media can exert a profound influence on purchase decisions. This research investigates the impact of social media self-presentation, a key social behavior on social media, on consumers’ preference for experiential consumption. Drawing on one survey study and one experimental study, the findings reveal that social media self-presentation significantly predicts a stronger preference for experiential consumption (e.g., travel) over material consumption (e.g., tangible goods), with this effect being particularly salient among female participants. Furthermore, self-concept clarity mediates this relationship: both positive and authentic self-presentation enhance individuals’ clarity of self-concept, which in turn promotes a greater inclination toward experiential purchases. These findings highlight the key role of social media behavior in shaping consumer behaviors. The results offer important theoretical and practical insights into consumer decision-making in digital contexts and guide platform design and personalized recommendation systems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)
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Open AccessArticle
Influence of Goal-Framing Type and Product Type on Consumer Decision-Making: Dual Evidence from Behavior and Eye Movement
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Siyuan Wei, Jing Gao, Taiyang Zhao and Shengliang Deng
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030237 - 3 Sep 2025
Abstract
In today’s fierce market competition, enterprises must quickly attract consumers’ attention to products and prompt them to make purchases. Based on regulatory focus theory, this study examines the impact of the congruence between different types of goal framing in advertising (promotion vs. prevention)
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In today’s fierce market competition, enterprises must quickly attract consumers’ attention to products and prompt them to make purchases. Based on regulatory focus theory, this study examines the impact of the congruence between different types of goal framing in advertising (promotion vs. prevention) and product types (hedonic vs. utilitarian) on individual consumer decision-making, as well as the underlying psychological mechanisms. The findings are as follows: (1) A goal-framing effect was observed, such that individuals allocated more attention and exhibited higher purchase intentions toward products presented with promotion-framed advertising. (2) A matching effect between goal-framing type and product type was identified: promotion framing increased purchase intentions for hedonic products, whereas prevention framing increased purchase intentions for utilitarian products. (3) Processing fluency mediated the effect of goal–product matching on consumer decision-making. (4) The presence of time pressure amplified the goal-framing effect, leading to stronger preferences under promotion-framed advertisements, as reflected in both longer fixation durations and higher purchase intentions. By integrating regulatory focus theory with product type matching, this study leverages eye-tracking data to reveal the cognitive processes underlying consumer decision-making and the moderating role of time pressure on goal-framing effects. The findings enrich the motivational perspective in consumer behavior research and provide empirical guidance for designing differentiated advertising strategies and optimizing advertising copy.
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(This article belongs to the Topic Innovations in New Media: Shaping the Future of Interactive Marketing)
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The Impact of Digital Marketing Capability on Firm Performance: Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Manufacturing Firms
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Zhihao Liang, Jinming Du and Ying Hua
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030236 - 3 Sep 2025
Abstract
The rapid expansion of e-commerce has pushed firms to adopt more sophisticated digital marketing strategies to reach, engage, and retain consumers. Research has shown that digital marketing significantly enhances firm performance by enhancing marketing-related capabilities, yet overlooks its role in driving transformation across
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The rapid expansion of e-commerce has pushed firms to adopt more sophisticated digital marketing strategies to reach, engage, and retain consumers. Research has shown that digital marketing significantly enhances firm performance by enhancing marketing-related capabilities, yet overlooks its role in driving transformation across other business functions. Grounded in resource orchestration theory, this study examines how digital marketing resources and capabilities support broader business transformation and comprehensively improve firm performance. Drawing on empirical data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2023, this study demonstrates that there is a significant positive relationship between digital marketing capability and firm performance. Notably, this relationship is mediated by production capability and R&D capability. Moreover, the effect is more pronounced in firms operating in highly marketized regions, within competitive industries, and among digitally advanced firms. This study contributes to the digital marketing literature by developing a novel framework for measuring digital marketing capability, and uncovering the mechanisms through which it influences firm performance. In addition, this study contributes to the digitalization literature in the manufacturing sector by demonstrating the strategic role of digital marketing in driving value creation. Implications for digital marketing in manufacturing industry are discussed.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue ICEC 2025: Transforming E-Commerce with AI: Navigating Innovation, Personalization, and Ethical Challenges)
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Open AccessArticle
The Impacts of Rural E-Commerce on County Economic Development: Evidence from National Rural E-Commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Policy in China
by
Yan Yu, Hongbo Tu and Qingsong Tian
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030235 - 2 Sep 2025
Abstract
County economies are essential drivers of national economic development, acting as critical engines for growth and regional equilibrium. This study uses the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration policy, initiated by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce, China to empirically investigate
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County economies are essential drivers of national economic development, acting as critical engines for growth and regional equilibrium. This study uses the National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration policy, initiated by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce, China to empirically investigate the impact of rural e-commerce on county economic development and inequality, based on economic and night light data from 2000 to 2021. By applying a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) model, we find that rural e-commerce significantly boosts county economic development. This result remains robust after a series of robustness tests. The impact is stronger on the primary sector compared to the secondary and tertiary sectors, and the effect is more pronounced in the central and western regions than in the eastern regions. Furthermore, rural e-commerce effectively reduces economic inequality, contributing to inclusive development. Mechanistically, e-commerce into rural demonstration policy fosters county economic development by enhancing human capital mobility, accelerating logistics development, and promoting the growth of local enterprises.
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(This article belongs to the Section e-Commerce Analytics)
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Open AccessArticle
A Novel Framework Leveraging Social Media Insights to Address the Cold-Start Problem in Recommendation Systems
by
Enes Celik and Sevinc Ilhan Omurca
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030234 - 2 Sep 2025
Abstract
In today’s world, with rapidly developing technology, it has become possible to perform many transactions over the internet. Consequently, providing better service to online customers in every field has become a crucial task. These advancements have driven companies and sellers to recommend tailored
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In today’s world, with rapidly developing technology, it has become possible to perform many transactions over the internet. Consequently, providing better service to online customers in every field has become a crucial task. These advancements have driven companies and sellers to recommend tailored products to their customers. Recommendation systems have emerged as a field of study to ensure that relevant and suitable products can be presented to users. One of the major challenges in recommendation systems is the cold-start problem, which arises when there is insufficient information about a newly introduced user or product. To address this issue, we propose a novel framework that leverages implicit behavioral insights from users’ X social media activity to construct personalized profiles without requiring explicit user input. In the proposed model, users’ behavioral profiles are first derived from their social media data. Then, recommendation lists are generated to address the cold-start problem by employing Boosting algorithms. The framework employs six boosting algorithms to classify user preferences for the top 20 most-rated films on Letterboxd. In this way, a solution is offered without requiring any additional external data beyond social media information. Experiments on a dataset demonstrate that CatBoost outperforms other methods, achieving an F1-score of 0.87 and MAE of 0.21. Based on experimental results, the proposed system outperforms existing methods developed to solve the cold-start problem.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Utilizing Models for e-Business Decision-Making: From Data to Wisdom)
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Open AccessArticle
Hesitant Fuzzy-BWM Risk Evaluation Framework for E-Business Supply Chain Cooperation for China–West Africa Digital Trade
by
Shurong Zhao, Mohammed Gadafi Tamimu, Ailing Luo, Tiantian Sun and Yongxing Yang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030233 - 2 Sep 2025
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This paper examines the risks linked to E-business collaboration between China and West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana as a pivotal digital commerce centre. This research employs the Hesitant Fuzzy Best–Worst Method (HF-BWM) to systematically identify and prioritise the institutional, technological, sociocultural,
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This paper examines the risks linked to E-business collaboration between China and West Africa, with particular emphasis on Ghana as a pivotal digital commerce centre. This research employs the Hesitant Fuzzy Best–Worst Method (HF-BWM) to systematically identify and prioritise the institutional, technological, sociocultural, and legal issues affecting cross-border e-business operations. This study combines Transaction Cost Theory (TCT), the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Commitment–Trust Theory to create a comprehensive framework for analysing the interplay of these risks and their effects on transaction costs and company sustainability. The findings indicate that institutional risks constitute the most substantial obstacles, with deficient digital transaction legislation and inadequate data governance recognised as the principal drivers of uncertainty and increased transaction costs. The research indicates that these institutional challenges necessitate immediate focus, as they immediately affect corporate operations, especially in international digital commerce. Technological risks, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, insufficient IT skills, and deficiencies in digital infrastructure, were identified as the second most critical factors, leading to considerable operational disruptions and heightened expenses. Sociocultural hazards, such as language difficulties and varying consumer behaviours, were recognised as moderate concerns that, although significant, exert a weaker cumulative impact than technological and institutional challenges. Eventually, legal risks, especially concerning cybercrime legislation and the protection of intellectual property, were identified as substantial complicators of e-business activities, increasing the intricacy of legal compliance and cross-border contract enforcement. The results underscore the imperative for regulatory reforms, investments in cybersecurity, and methods for cultural adaptation to alleviate the identified risks and promote sustainable growth in China–West Africa e-business relationships. This study offers practical insights for governments, business leaders, and investors to effectively manage the intricate risk landscape and make educated decisions that foster enduring collaboration and trust between China and West Africa in digital trade.
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Open AccessArticle
Optimizing Distinctiveness in Global E-Commerce: How Textual Marketing Signals Drive Foreign Customer Engagement on Digital Platforms
by
Jungwon Lee
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030232 - 2 Sep 2025
Abstract
This study investigates how new ventures on global e-commerce platforms use textual marketing signals to attract foreign consumers, a critical challenge characterized by information asymmetry. Integrating Signaling Theory and Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT), we examine how two key creator-controlled textual signals—International Orientation Expression
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This study investigates how new ventures on global e-commerce platforms use textual marketing signals to attract foreign consumers, a critical challenge characterized by information asymmetry. Integrating Signaling Theory and Optimal Distinctiveness Theory (ODT), we examine how two key creator-controlled textual signals—International Orientation Expression (IOE) intensity (a signal of legitimacy) and Project Genre Atypicality (GA) (a signal of differentiation)—non-linearly and interactively influence foreign customer engagement. Analyzing a large-scale dataset of 17,084 Kickstarter projects using computer-aided text analysis and fixed-effects regression models, we yield several key insights. First, we find a robust inverted U-shaped relationship between IOE intensity and foreign backer engagement, suggesting that while moderate international emphasis enhances legitimacy, excessive claims can undermine credibility. Second, GA exhibits a positive linear relationship with foreign engagement, indicating that novelty-seeking foreign consumers consistently value textual differentiation. Third, and most critically, we uncover a significant negative interaction, termed the “cost of dual extremes”, where simultaneously signaling extreme international ambition and extreme product novelty deters foreign consumers, likely due to perceived strategic incoherence and heightened execution risk. Finally, we confirm that attracting a diverse foreign audience is a strong predictor of overall project funding success. This research extends ODT by identifying a novel interactive boundary condition for distinctiveness in digital markets and advances signaling theory by demonstrating the complex, non-linear effectiveness of textual signals, offering actionable insights for optimizing communication strategy in global e-commerce.
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(This article belongs to the Section Entrepreneurship, Innovation, FinTech Accounting and Industry 4.0)
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Open AccessArticle
Facilitating Patient Adoption of Online Medical Advice Through Team-Based Online Consultation
by
Xiaofei Zhang, Lulu Zhou, Siqi Wang, Cunda Fan and Dongdong Huang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030231 - 2 Sep 2025
Abstract
The emergence of online medical teams (OMTs) as a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex health issues has gained increasing academic recognition. However, the factors influencing patient adoption of medical advice in this new communication context remain underexplored. This study investigates how multi-doctor involvement
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The emergence of online medical teams (OMTs) as a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex health issues has gained increasing academic recognition. However, the factors influencing patient adoption of medical advice in this new communication context remain underexplored. This study investigates how multi-doctor involvement in OMTs affects patient adoption of medical advice and examines the moderating roles of leader participation, disciplinary diversity, and illness complexity. The results indicate that multi-doctor involvement positively influences patient adoption of medical advice. This relationship is strengthened by leader participation and disciplinary diversity, while illness complexity exerts no significant moderating effect. As the first study to explore patient adoption of medical advice in the OMT context, these findings advance theoretical understanding and offer practical implications for improving online healthcare services.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue ICEC 2025: Transforming E-Commerce with AI: Navigating Innovation, Personalization, and Ethical Challenges)
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Open AccessArticle
Evaluating Digital Empowerment Models for Multi-Homing Content Creators on UGC Platforms
by
Yongtao Liang and Zhiqiang Ma
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030230 - 1 Sep 2025
Abstract
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With the rapid expansion of user-generated content (UGC) platforms, digital empowerment has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing platform competitiveness. This study investigates how different digital empowerment models—no digital empowerment, free digital empowerment, and paid digital empowerment—affect platform outcomes. Employing a Salop
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With the rapid expansion of user-generated content (UGC) platforms, digital empowerment has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing platform competitiveness. This study investigates how different digital empowerment models—no digital empowerment, free digital empowerment, and paid digital empowerment—affect platform outcomes. Employing a Salop model with multi-homing content creators, we analyze the impact of empowerment strategies on content quality, consumer engagement, and platform profitability. The findings reveal that digital empowerment functions not only as a technical tool but also as an incentive mechanism and structural supply adjustment strategy. It creates a behavioral feedback loop whereby empowered creators improve content quality, which increases consumer retention and word-of-mouth dissemination, thereby boosting traffic, advertising revenue, and overall platform profit. Among the three models, paid digital empowerment generally yields the highest content quality and platform profitability. The effectiveness of each strategy is moderated by creators’ data utilization capability, market competition intensity, advertising monetization potential, and word-of-mouth effects. These results provide theoretical and managerial insights into the design of differentiated empowerment strategies that align with platform goals and creator characteristics in competitive UGC environments.
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Open AccessArticle
A Dynamic Analysis of Cross-Category Innovation in Digital Platform Ecosystems with Network Effects
by
Shuo Sun, Bing Gu and Fangcheng Tang
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(3), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20030229 - 1 Sep 2025
Abstract
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Cross-category innovation in digital platform ecosystems is increasingly pivotal for competitive reconfiguration, and the value it generates for users primarily stems from the benefits of network effects. By extending the spatial competition framework of the Hotelling model through a four-stage sequential game comprising
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Cross-category innovation in digital platform ecosystems is increasingly pivotal for competitive reconfiguration, and the value it generates for users primarily stems from the benefits of network effects. By extending the spatial competition framework of the Hotelling model through a four-stage sequential game comprising category competition, we formalize the strategic mechanism for expanding network effects governing benchmark competition and category dynamics. The cross-category innovation strategy proposed in this paper offers valuable insights in three key areas: investment in core technological advantages, reconstruction of user cognitive boundaries, and strengthening ecological dependency within the ecosystem. By transcending the limitations in the explanatory power of traditional management theories for cross-organizational boundary issues, this study integrates digital contexts into its analytical framework, thus providing a novel perspective for understanding the dynamic processes of cross-category innovation in digital platform ecosystems.
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