Search Results (3)

This study investigates how university students adopt large language models (LLMs) for online consumption of sustainable products, integrating perceived value theory with the technology acceptance model (TAM). Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) and artificial neural networks (ANNs). SEM results reveal partial mediation. Performance expectancy value (PEV) and information quality value (IQV) directly shape continue using intention (CUI). They also influence CUI indirectly through perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU). Green self-identity value (GSV) influences CUI both directly and via PEU, while trust transfer value (TTV) and green perceived value (GPV) affect CUI only via PEU. ANN findings confirm this hierarchy, as PU (86.7%) and PEU (85.7%) are the strongest predictors of CUI, followed by GSV (73.7%). Convergent evidence from both methods indicates that instrumental utility, effortless interaction, and sustainability identity congruence drive sustained LLM use in the context of online consumption of green products, whereas credibility cues and sustainability incentives play secondary roles. This study extends TAM by incorporating multidimensional value constructs and offers design recommendations for engaging and high-utility AI shopping platforms. Full article

This study investigates the effects of unverifiable green signals—vague environmental claims, trust-substitute cues, and function-stacking—on consumer purchasing behaviors in e-commerce settings. Using detailed product-level data collected from two major Chinese online platforms, Taobao and Pinduoduo, during the peak shopping period in November 2023, we analyze the impact of these signals on product sales using ordinary least squares (OLS), instrumental variable (IV), and propensity score matching (PSM) methods. Results indicate that vague environmental language and function-stacking significantly boost sales across platforms, highlighting consumers’ preference for easily interpretable and seemingly comprehensive products. However, trust-substitute signals exhibit mixed effects, with them being beneficial on platforms with stronger credibility frameworks (Taobao) and less effective or even detrimental on platforms characterized by price competition and weaker governance (Pinduoduo). This study contributes to the literature on consumer trust and digital greenwashing by identifying platform-specific responses to unverifiable eco-claims and underscoring the importance of heuristic processing theories and trust formation mechanisms in digital marketing contexts. These findings underscore the complex dynamics of greenwashing strategies and stress the necessity for enhanced regulation and clearer communication standards to protect consumers and genuinely support sustainable consumption. Full article

China is currently the world’s largest cross-border e-commerce purchaser and destination country. Therefore, how to promote consumer online shopping is the most important goal for cross-border e-commerce sustainability. Meanwhile, the previous research has not empirically verified the precise effect of online shopping context and perceived value on consumers’ cross-border online purchase intention. To address this gap, this study analyzes the online shopping context that determines consumers’ purchase intention and innovatively identifies four cues that promote this consumption behavior in cross-border e-commerce, such as online promotion cues, content marketing cues, personalized recommendation cues, and social review cues. It proposes a theoretical model based on cue utilization theory and stimulus-organism-response model, which introduces this four cues and brand familiarity in analyzing the effects on consumers’ purchase intention in cross-border online shopping (CBOS). In addition, the paper examines the mediating role of perceived functional value and perceived emotional value. Survey data collected 372 cross-border online consumers from China and the PLS-SEM method was used to empirically test the proposed model. The results show that these four cross-border online shopping context cues have a significantly positive impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Brand familiarity has significantly negative moderating effects between the four cues and the perceived functional value, while brand familiarity also negatively moderates the relationship between online promotion cues, social review cues, and perceived emotional value, respectively. Full article