Search Results (164)

The rapid growth of live e-commerce, a sector valued at over USD 100 billion worldwide, demonstrates its transformative impact on the retail industry, especially in markets like China, where platforms such as Taobao Live and TikTok Shop have markedly altered consumer interaction. This transition is further expedited by Netflix-like entertainment marketing methods, which have demonstrated the capacity to enhance consumer retention by as much as 40%. As organizations adjust to this evolving landscape, it is essential to optimize supply chain strategies to align with these dynamic, consumer-centric environments. This paper examines the complexity of decision-making in live e-commerce supply chains, specifically regarding Netflix-inspired marketing strategies. The primary aim of this study is to design a game-theoretic framework that examines the interactions between producers and online celebrity retailers (OCRs) across different power dynamics. As live commerce integrates digital retail with immersive experiences, businesses must optimize pricing, quality, and marketing strategies in real-time. We present engagement-driven marketing as a strategic variable and incorporate consumer regret and switching costs into the demand function. To illustrate practical trade-offs in strategy, we incorporate a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) layer with AHP-TOPSIS, assessing profit, consumer surplus, engagement score, and channel efficiency. The experiment results indicate that Netflix-style marketing markedly increases demand and profit in retailer-led frameworks, whereas centralized tactics enhance overall channel performance. TOPSIS analysis prioritizes high-effort, high-engagement methods, whereas the Stackelberg experiment underscores the influence of power dynamics on profit distribution. This study presents an innovative integrative decision-making methodology for enhancing live-streaming commerce tactics in data-driven and consumer-focused markets. Full article

Operations management personnel emphasize the maintenance of workforce empowerment on the shop floor. This is made possible by implementing effective operations and human resource management practices. However, organizations are adept at controlling the workforce empowerment domain within operational scenarios. In the current industry revolution scenario, industry personnel often face failure due to a laggard mindset in the face of industry revolutions. There are higher possibilities of failure because of standardized operations controlling the shop floor. Organizations utilize well-established human resource concepts, including McClelland’s acquired needs theory, Herzberg’s two-factor theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, in order to enhance the workforce’s performance on the shop floor. Current SME individuals require fast-paced approaches for tracking the performance and idleness of a workforce in order to control them more efficiently in both flexible and transformational stages. The present study focuses on investigating the parameters and factors that contribute to workforce empowerment in an industrial revolution scenario. The present research is used to develop a framework utilizing operations and human resource management approaches in order to identify and address the issues responsible for deteriorating workforce contributions. The framework includes HRM and operations management practices, including Herzberg’s two-factor theory, Maslow’s theory, and lean and smart approaches. The developed framework contains four phases for achieving desired outcomes on the shop floor. The developed framework is validated by implementing it in a real-life electric vehicle manufacturing organization, where the human resources and operations team were exhausted and looking to resolve employee-related issues instantly and establish a sustainable work environment. The current industry is transforming from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0, and seeks future-ready innovations in operations, control, and monitoring of shop floor setups. The operations management and human resource management practices teams reviewed the results over the next three months after the implementation of the developed framework. The results revealed an improvement in workforce empowerment within the existing work environment, as evidenced by reductions in the number of absentees, resignations, transfer requests, and medical issues, by 30.35%, 94.44%, 95.65%, and 93.33%, respectively. A few studies have been conducted on workforce empowerment by controlling shop floor scenarios through modifications in operations and human resource management strategies. The results of this study can be used to fulfil manufacturers’ needs within confined constraints and provide guidelines for efficiently controlling workforce performance on the shop floor. Constraints refer to barriers that have been decided, including production time, working time, asset availability, resource availability, and organizational policy. The study proposes a decision-making plan for enhancing shop floor performance by providing suitable guidelines and an action plan, taking into account both workforce and operational performance. Full article

The purpose of this study is to reveal the characteristics of wine tourists by determining their demographic and psychographic profiles, the effects of their travel motivations and lifestyles on their attitudes towards wine tourism, and the relationships between their demographic characteristics and attitudes. Based on a quantitative approach, study data were collected using a questionnaire. The sample consists of tourists who had visited a winery or participated in the vintage in a wine destination. Wine tourists’ principal motivations were pull factors and wine-related motivations. Their attitudes towards wine consumption had higher mean values than attitudes towards info-seeking, meaning that wine tourists preferred to taste wine and shop from wineries more than learn about wine. Regarding lifestyles, they were mostly innovators and experiencers. For destinations like Türkiye, wine tourism is a significant economic and sociocultural development tool. It is the first study to identify the wine tourists’ profile based on VALS-2, thereby providing a different perspective for the literature. Full article

Construction costs have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic due to supply chain disruption, labour shortages, and construction material price hikes. The market is increasingly demanding innovative construction methods that can save construction costs, reduce construction time, and minimise waste and carbon emission. The prefabrication system has been used for years in industrial construction, resulting in better performance in regard to structure stability, the control of wastage, and the optimisation of construction time and cost. In addition, prefabrication has had a positive contribution on resource utilisation in the construction industry. There are various types of prefabricated wall systems. However, the majority of comparative studies have focused on comparing each prefabrication wall system against the conventional construction system, while limited research has been conducted to compare different prefabrication structures. This study examined four prominent prefabricated wall systems, i.e., precast walls, tilt-up walls, prefabricated steel-frame walls, and on-site-cut steel-frame walls, to determine which one is more suitable for the construction of industrial buildings to minimise cost, time delay, and labourer utilisation on construction sites, as well as to enhance structure durability, construction efficiency, and sustainability. One primary case project and five additional projects were included in this study. For the primary case project, data were collected and analysed; for example, a subcontractor cost comparison for supply and installation was conducted, and shop drawings, construction procedures, timelines, and site photos were collected. For the additional five projects, the overall cost data were compared. The main research finding of this study is that factory-made precast walls and tilt-up wall panels require similar construction time. However, on average, tilt-up prefabrication construction can reduce the cost by around 23.55%. It was also found that prefabricated frame walls provide cost and time savings of around 39% and 10.5%, respectively. These findings can provide architects, developers, builders, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders with a comprehensive insight into selecting a method of wall construction that can achieve greater efficiency, cost savings, and environmental sustainability in the construction of industrial and commercial buildings. Full article

With the rapid advancement of real-time interaction technologies and the continuous breakthroughs in marketing innovation, live streaming e-commerce has quickly become an essential marketing channel for brands. Its real-time and interactive nature significantly enhances consumer immersion in online shopping, thereby accelerating the decision-making process. This study investigates the impact of atmospheric cues in live streaming on impulse buying through the lens of flow experience. The findings reveal that expertise cues, interaction cues, and entertainment cues all contribute to enhancing consumers’ flow experience, which in turn, fosters impulse buying. Moreover, recognizing the importance of consumer heterogeneity, this study examines the moderating effect of self-construal. It finds that, once in a flow state, consumers with a stronger independent self-construal are more likely to engage in impulse buying than those with a more interdependent self-construal. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for brands on better leveraging live streaming e-commerce. Full article

The adoption of sustainable food products by consumers is often hindered by both perceived and actual barriers within retail environments. This study investigates the interaction between the objective availability of sustainable food, its in-store visibility, and consumer perceptions of and discourses about these aspects, specifically examining how these factors contribute to socio-spatial disparities in access within an urban context (Turin, Italy). The research combined qualitative interviews with 50 consumers—to understand their perceptions and purchasing criteria—with quantitative observations of the presence and presentation of products in 56 supermarkets and 28 open-air markets across different socio-economic areas. The findings indicate that while sustainable products are more widely available than commonly perceived, their visibility (shelf positioning, signage) is significantly lower in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. This “invisibility” creates a crucial perceptual barrier, particularly for consumers who rely on immediate environmental cues and efficient shopping strategies, thus limiting purchases despite the actual presence of the products. The study concludes that in-store presentation strategies are critical mediators of perceived availability, disproportionately affecting consumers in lower socio-economic contexts and highlighting an innovative dimension of food access inequality that calls for targeted interventions at both the retail and policy levels. Full article

The online shopping consulting service (online customer service) is an important component of online shopping, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology has allowed online retailers to apply this technology to customer service. This study explores an online retailer’s customer service innovation decisions. We develop a stylized model to investigate an online retailer’s choices of two different online shopping consulting service strategies, as well as the impact of the different strategies on both online retailer and consumers. This study demonstrates that providing AI customer service with higher performance and higher probability of consumer shopping problem resolution may not always benefit the online retailer. Existing studies have already shown that consumers prefer human customer service. However, this study shows that consumers do not always prefer human customer service, and they prefer AI customer service in some situations. Moreover, this study reveals that the probability of consumers’ shopping problems being resolved and the consulting cost can affect the online retailer’s choice of online customer service strategies. Full article

Product engagement detection in retail environments is critical for understanding customer preferences through nonverbal cues such as gaze and hand movements. This study presents a system leveraging a 360-degree top-view fisheye camera combined with two perspective cameras, the only sensors required for deployment, effectively capturing subtle interactions even under occlusion or distant camera setups. Unlike conventional image-based gaze estimation methods that are sensitive to background variations and require capturing a person’s full appearance, raising privacy concerns, our approach utilizes a novel Transformer-based encoder operating directly on 3D skeletal keypoints. This innovation significantly reduces privacy risks by avoiding personal appearance data and benefits from ongoing advancements in accurate skeleton estimation techniques. Experimental evaluation in a simulated retail environment demonstrates that our method effectively identifies critical gaze-object and hand-object interactions, reliably detecting customer engagement prior to product selection. Despite yielding slightly higher mean angular errors in gaze estimation compared to a recent image-based method, the Transformer-based model achieves comparable performance in gaze-object detection. Its robustness, generalizability, and inherent privacy preservation make it particularly suitable for deployment in practical retail scenarios such as convenience stores, supermarkets, and shopping malls, highlighting its superiority in real-world applicability. Full article

Autonomous delivery services offer significant cost-saving benefits for logistics and e-commerce companies while helping mitigate environmental issues and urban traffic congestion. As these services become increasingly prevalent in China, understanding how user participation influences adoption decisions is crucial. This study analyzes attitudes and intention to use toward autonomous delivery by integrating factors such as sustainability and customer participation within the technology acceptance model. Notably, prior research has rarely included consumers aged 50 and older, despite their growing engagement with online shopping and delivery services in China. To address this gap, the present study incorporates data from this demographic to enhance representativeness. Employing SEM combined with multi-group analysis through AMOS 24.0, this study examined 526 valid survey responses. The results demonstrate that attitudes toward autonomous delivery systems are positively shaped by perceived usefulness, ease of operation, sustainability features, self-efficacy beliefs, and customer engagement levels. Moreover, user attitudes emerge as a significant predictor of behavioral intention to adopt such services. Additionally, technology-related anxiety and personal innovativeness levels were found to moderate the attitude–intention linkage. These insights establish a theoretical framework to guide future advancements in autonomous delivery system development, marketing strategy optimization, and academic exploration within this domain. Full article

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

In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation driven by digital innovations, particularly with the emergence of the digital retail theater (DRT). A DRT integrates augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D modeling to create immersive shopping experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. This study specifically focuses on apparel DRTs and investigates the key factors influencing U.S. consumers’ intention to adopt this technology. Drawing on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and perceived risk theory, we developed and tested an integrative research model. Primary data were collected through a structured online survey administered via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). A total of 400 valid responses were obtained from U.S. consumers. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate that effort expectancy (ease of use), facilitating conditions (technical infrastructure), physical risk (concerns about potential harm), and time/convenience loss risk significantly influence consumers’ intention to adopt apparel DRTs. Surprisingly, performance expectancy and social influence were not significant predictors of DRT adoption. These findings provide valuable insights for apparel retailers, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly designs, robust technical infrastructure, and minimizing perceived risks to foster DRT adoption. Full article

This paper proposes an innovative, intelligent shopping cart system with an interdisciplinary approach using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons. The research integrates online and offline retail strategies by presenting campaigns and ads to the customers during in-store navigation. In a testing environment, BLE beacons are strategically positioned to monitor the purchasing process and deliver relevant insights to retailers. The technology anonymously logs customers’ locations and the duration of their browsing at each sales shelf. Through the analysis of client movement heatmaps, retailers may discern high-traffic zones and modify product placement to enhance visibility and sales. Additionally, the system provides an additional revenue model for store owners through location specific targeted ads displayed on a tablet mounted on the cart. Unlike previous BLE-based tracking solutions, this research bridges the gap between customer movement analytics and real-time targeted advertising in retail settings. The system achieved an accuracy of 82.4% when the aisle partition length was 3.00 m and 91.7% when the aisle partition length was 6.00 m. This system, which can generate additional income for store owners by generating 0.171 USD in a single test simulation as a result of displaying ads to three test customers in a two-partitioned aisle layout, offers a new and scalable business model for modern retailers. Full article

The reclamation of illegal landfills poses a significant threat to the environment. An example of such a case is Łomianki near Warsaw, where an illegal landfill contained alarming levels of arsenic and chromium, posing a potential risk to the health of local residents due to the possibility of these metals contaminating a nearby drinking water source. Initial geochemical tests revealed high concentrations of these metals, with chromium reaching up to 24,660 mg/kg and arsenic up to 10,350 mg/kg, well above international environmental standards. This study presents effective reclamation strategies that can be used in similar situations worldwide. The reclamation allowed this land to be used for the construction of the M1 shopping center while minimizing environmental hazards. The study is based on a case study of the reclamation of this illegal landfill. The methods used in this project included the relocation of approximately 130,000 m³ of hazardous waste to a nearby site previously used for sand mining. Bentonite mats and geotextiles were used to prevent the migration of contaminants into the groundwater. The waste was layered with sand to assist in the structural stabilization of the site. In addition, proper waste segregation and drainage systems were implemented to manage water and prevent contamination. Eight years after the reclamation, post-remediation soil surveys showed significant improvements in soil quality and structural stability. Specifically, the Proctor Compaction Index (I_S) increased from an estimated 0.5–0.7 (for uncontrolled slope) to 0.98, indicating a high degree of compaction and soil stability, while arsenic and chromium levels were reduced by 98.4% and 98.1%, respectively. Reclamation also significantly reduced permeability and settlement rates, further improving the site’s suitability for construction. The cost-benefit analysis showed a cost saving of 37.7% through local waste relocation compared to off-site disposal, highlighting the economic efficiency and environmental benefits. The main conclusions of this study are that land reclamation effectively reduced environmental hazards; innovative solutions, such as bentonite mats, advanced waste sorting, geotextiles, and drainage systems, improved environmental quality; and the Łomianki case serves as a model for sustainable waste management practices. Full article

Within the global wave of manufacturing intelligence, AI technologies are revolutionizing industrial frameworks through deep integration. As a resource-intensive sector, fashion has become a pivotal arena for assessing AI’s role in sustainable development. China, the world’s largest apparel producer, faces unique AI integration challenges, highlighting the intersection of innovation and sustainability. To further explore the impact of AI-powered try-on technology on the impulsive buying intentions of young Chinese consumers, this research utilizes a modified version of the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model. From the lens of online shopping, the research investigates how key features of AI-powered try-on technology, such as visual vividness, interactive control, personalized configuration, and ease of use, affect impulsive buying intentions. Additionally, the study examines the mediating roles of perceived utilitarian value, perceived hedonic value, and perceived immersion, alongside the moderating role of brand trust. A structured online survey was conducted with 366 participants, and the data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method. The findings reveal that the four core attributes of AI-powered try-on technology have a positive effect on impulsive buying intentions. Furthermore, the mediating roles of perceived utilitarian value, perceived hedonic value, and perceived immersion, along with the moderating influence of brand trust, were substantiated. In the realm of online apparel shopping, AI-powered try-on technology effectively stimulates impulsive buying behavior and drives online purchases. These results offer valuable theoretical insights for enhancing AI-powered try-on applications, while also providing strategic guidance for fashion brands and e-commerce platforms in developing AI-driven sustainable marketing approaches. Full article

This study introduces an evolutionary game model to investigate the strategic interaction among government regulatory agencies, shopping center investors, and tenants in the global energy-saving renovation market. The focus is on three innovative aspects. Firstly, the model reveals that positive tenant behavior can stimulate investors’ participation in energy-saving renovation projects by triggering potential market demand, thereby establishing a dynamic balance between supply and demand. This viewpoint has been previously overlooked in energy renovation research. Secondly, the model demonstrates the dynamic transformation of government regulatory strategies. In the early stages of market development, direct intervention through subsidies and penalties is crucial, and investors’ decisions are constrained by both returns and costs. When returns exceed the cost premium, investors actively participate, and policy incentives lower early cost barriers to promote market expansion. As the market matures, a transition toward policy guidance optimizes sustainable outcomes. Thirdly, extensive numerical simulations have confirmed the existence of multiple stable equilibrium states under different incentive and cost conditions, providing new evidence for the stability and adaptability of the energy-saving renovation market. These findings significantly advance the theoretical understanding of multi-stakeholder interactions in green building transformation and provide practical guidance for developing adaptive and effective policy frameworks. Full article