Emerging Digital Technologies and Consumer Behavior

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Associate Professor, Surrey International Institute, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
Interests: share economy; business marketing; marketing sustainability (living, spending and environment); m-learning; online information credibility

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Guest Editor
Professor, Schulich Business School, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Interests: advertising and promotion branding consumer behavior consumer culture theory globalism market system dynamics marketing research qualitative methods

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Guest Editor
Assistant Professor, Surrey International Institute, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, China
Interests: livestream commerce; digitalization and consumer behavior

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Emerging technologies have the potential to enhance consumer experience but also present challenges, such as how the impact of emerging technologies on consumer behavior remains mixed and largely uncharted. This Special Issue invites academic research to explore the nexus between emerging digital technologies and consumer behavior. The aim is to invite academic research on both the opportunities and challenges these technologies present and their resulting influence on consumer behavior, with a particular focus on their impact on spending, living, and health/well-being, in line with sustainable development goals. Examples of emerging technologies include AI and machine learning in pathology, medical imaging, and diagnosis; the Internet of Things; data analytics in agriculture and farming; blockchain technologies in financial services and banking; and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in the metaverse for retail and shopping experiences. The impact on consumers is not limited to these examples. Discourse is diverse on how information technology such as AI, big data, the Internet of Things, and blockchain can enhance or impede consumer journeys and profoundly influence consumer behavior. Integrating multiple devices connected to consumers shapes how they access, use, and dispose of information, shaping their expectations through the consumer experience journey.

Dr. Jashim Khan
Prof. Dr. Russell Belk
Dr. Na Zuo
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • blockchain
  • AR &VR
  • metaverse
  • AI & facial recognition
  • digital financial services
  • livestream commerce
  • IoT

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

30 pages, 4312 KiB  
Article
Research on Adoption Intention Toward Intelligent Messaging Service: From Self-Determination Theory Perspective
by Jianming Wu and Zhiyuan Yu
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(2), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20020083 - 25 Apr 2025
Viewed by 189
Abstract
Empowered by artificial intelligence and 5G technologies, intelligent messaging service instead of the existing short messaging service could provide an omni-channel service, thus achieving higher interconnection for mobile users. In this paper, we adopted mixed methods research and explored the psychological factors that [...] Read more.
Empowered by artificial intelligence and 5G technologies, intelligent messaging service instead of the existing short messaging service could provide an omni-channel service, thus achieving higher interconnection for mobile users. In this paper, we adopted mixed methods research and explored the psychological factors that affect adoption intention to adopt intelligent messaging services among mobile users based on self-determination theory. After semi-structured interviews, we constructed a partial least squares structural equation model from the perspectives of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. In addition, openness and perceived complexity were also introduced as an extended dimension. Through an online survey, 548 valid questionnaires were obtained. The results show that intrinsic motivation has a greater effect on adoption intention. Specifically, attitude, perceived autonomy, perceived relatedness, and perceived system quality have significant positive impacts on the adoption intention of intelligent messaging, while perceived complexity has a negative direct impact on adoption intention. Although perceived competence and perceived media richness have no significant effects on adoption intention, an indirect effect on adoption intention through attitude was observed. Notably, perceived interactivity and openness have no effect on adoption intention. Through this study, we aim to provide guidance for developers to focus on mobile users’ psychological needs regarding upgraded interactive channels, which can accelerate the construction of an omni-channel media environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Digital Technologies and Consumer Behavior)
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29 pages, 7747 KiB  
Article
Empowering Retail in the Metaverse by Leveraging Consumer Behavior Analysis for Personalized Shopping: A Pilot Study in the Saudi Market
by Monerah Alawadh and Ahmed Barnawi
J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 2025, 20(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/jtaer20020063 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 662
Abstract
The integration of advanced technologies, such as the Metaverse, has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry and enhance the shopping experience. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging machine learning predictions based on analysis can significantly enhance user experiences, enabling personalized interactions and fostering [...] Read more.
The integration of advanced technologies, such as the Metaverse, has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry and enhance the shopping experience. Understanding consumer behavior and leveraging machine learning predictions based on analysis can significantly enhance user experiences, enabling personalized interactions and fostering overall engagement within the virtual environment. In our ongoing research effort, we have developed a consumer behavior framework to predict interesting buying patterns based on analyzing sales transaction records using association rule learning techniques aiming at improving sales parameters for retailers. In this paper, we introduce a validation analysis of our predictive framework that can improve the personalization of the shopping experience in virtual reality shopping environments, which provides powerful marketing facilities, unlike real-time shopping. The findings of this work provide a promising outcome in terms of achieving satisfactory prediction accuracy in a focused pilot study conducted in association with a prominent retailer in Saudi Arabia. Such results can be employed to empower the personalization of the shopping experience, especially on virtual platforms such as the Metaverse, which is expected to play a revolutionary role in future businesses and other life activities. Shopping in the Metaverse offers a unique blend of immersive experiences and endless possibilities, enabling consumers to interact with products and brands in a virtual environment like never before. This integration of cutting-edge technology not only transforms the retail landscape but also paves the way for a new era of personalized and engaging shopping experiences. Lastly, this empowerment offers new opportunities for retailers and streamlines the process of engaging with customers in innovative ways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Digital Technologies and Consumer Behavior)
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