Internet Research

Consumers' responses to brand websites: an interdisciplinary review : Table of Contents

Hilde A.M. Voorveld, Peter C. Neijens, Edith G. Smit — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The aims of this paper are to provide an integrated literature review of factors influencing consumers' responses to brand websites; to describe the state of research in the past ten years; and to give an overview of the theories used in brand website studies. Design/methodology/approach – Using a vote-counting procedure, 736 findings from 50 empirical studies are synthesized. In a vote-counting analysis the number of positive and negative significant relations between the same two variables is compared to the number of non-significant relationships. Findings – The analysis reveals which person-related factors (e.g. involvement or flow) and website-related factors (e.g. usability or interactivity) influence responses to websites and brands. To explain such responses many studies integrate new theoretical concepts (e.g. interactivity or telepresence) into traditional theories. Furthermore, the review shows that the current state of research is limited by the use of forced exposure, student samples and the measurement of affective responses. Practical implications – The present study investigates an increasingly popular approach to promote brands at the internet: the use of brand websites. The study gives insight into factors influencing the effectiveness of these websites. Marketers can use this knowledge to improve the effectiveness of their websites. Originality/value – The paper provides a valuable contribution to the literature on brand websites. The paper can form the basis for future research on this topic.

E-government adoption in ASEAN: the case of Cambodia : Table of Contents

Sinawong Sang, Jeong-Dong Lee, Jongsu Lee — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence e-government adoption in Cambodia as one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses the technology acceptance model (TAM), the extended TAM (TAM2), the diffusion of innovations (DOI) theory, and trust to build a parsimonious yet comprehensive model of user adoption of e-government. The authors test the model with an empirical study. Data are collected from a total of 112 public officers in 12 ministries in Cambodia. The research model is then assessed with multiple regression analyses. Findings – The findings in this study show that the determinants of the research model (perceived usefulness, relative advantage, and trust) are support. At the same time, the important determinants of perceived usefulness include image and output quality. Practical implications – The study would help government policy decision makers design and implement policies and strategies to increase the adoption of e-government services in Cambodia as well as in other countries, particularly ASEAN member states that have a similar situation. Originality/value – This paper is one of a few studies on e-government adoption in ASEAN and the first study on e-government adoption in Cambodia.

Community based innovation: its antecedents and its impact on innovation success : Table of Contents

Kuo-Ming Chu, Hui-Chun Chan — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to combine Mäkipää et al., Füller et al., and Ahonen et al. with regard to CBI ideas, and applies them to the new product development process of the firm. The main research links user innovation and commercialization, and the discussion between the members creates centripetal and condensation strengthening factors. A complete model is developed for empirical testing. Design/methodology/approach – The sample is 143 participants from five online communities of firms operating in Taiwan, namely Microsoft, Working House, Inventec Corporation, Hometec Technology Inc., and Asustek Computer Inc., that were contacted and asked to participate in the study. Data were collected from March 19 to May 31, 2008 via the web for internet users using a standardized questionnaire. Excluding those surveys that were undeliverable and those who believed that it was inappropriate to respond, the overall effective response rate was 87 percent (125 of 143). Findings – This research proposes four other factors to promote the member participation CBI degree effectively, and further affects them to participate in the company's desire for three stages of new product development. But studies regarding the participation product concepts and design stage also find the members comparatively are not interested. Finally, a complete model is developed for empirical testing. It seems to be a promising source of innovation capabilities for new product development. Research limitations/implications – The focus in this study is on how the integration of community members into new product development using the community based innovation method leads to encouraging results. Nevertheless, it is difficult to claim its general usability. So far, there is no study indicating the effectiveness and efficiency of CBI for ongoing, continued consumer integration. Then studies concerning the impact of CBI on innovation success are just beginning, and are restricted to the initial findings of a few case studies. Therefore, the actual market impacts of co-developed products has not been tested on a large scale, as most of the CBI projects have not been carried to the point of testing the innovations in an actual marketplace. Originality/value – The main contribution of the CBI method lies in the systematic utilization of the existing, but so far merely exploited, innovative potential of online communities. However, none of the previous studies have integrated these variables into a more comprehensive framework. A complete model is developed for empirical testing. And the discussion between the members creates centripetal and condensation strengthening factors. The main research links user innovation and commercialization.

Mutual self-disclosure online in the B2C context : Table of Contents

Yu-Jen Chou, Ching-I Teng, Shao-Kang Lo — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the relationship between company identity information disclosure, trust, and consumer self-disclosure intentions during the first visit to a company website. Design/methodology/approach – This study conducts one-factor (company identity information disclosure) between-subject experiment design. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: company identity information disclosure – high vs low. Furthermore, this study also uses LISREL to analyse the model. Findings – The analytical results indicate that when a company website discloses much of its identity information, consumers trust the company more, and exhibit greater intentions to provide their personal information. Specifically, this study's results show that consumer's trust mediates the relationship between company identity information disclosure and consumer self-disclosure intentions. Practical implications – Companies often invite consumers to disclose personal information on websites, and then use this information to build and maintain relationships with these customers. This study suggests that a company can disclose their information more on their website. Consequently, consumers trust more toward the company and then have higher disclosure intentions. Originality/value – Traditionally, most interpersonal communication research indicates when someone discloses more, the other communication participant also discloses more. Although previous research investigates the impact of online information disclosure on trust and consumer self-disclosure, there are no studies that address the potential impact of a company disclosing information about its identity. This study examines the influence of company identity information disclosure and emphasises the important role of trust during the first visit to a website.

The acceptance of blogs: using a customer experiential value perspective : Table of Contents

Ching-Jui Keng, Hui-Ying Ting — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This study is based on the interactivity and perceived similarity between blog readers and the others, and incorporates the concepts from customer experiential value. This paper aims to examine emotional experiences that internet users gain while reading blogs, that is, assesses the attitude of blog readers through their subjective experiences within the communication process. Design/methodology/approach – An empirical survey is used to test the hypotheses. The sample is 349 users who browse blogs frequently. Data are analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to understand the cause and effect of the entire model and to determine the goodness of fit of the conceptual model. Findings – Empirical results demonstrate that: interpersonal interaction enhances browsers, aesthetic experiences as well as playfulness; machine interaction generates high aesthetics value which comprises visual and entertainment effects, service excellence, and CROI; perceived similarity by readers positively influences the four components of customer experiential value; and a positive correlation exists between user attitudes toward reading blogs and their experiential value in aesthetics, playfulness, and service excellence. Practical implications – The findings will help bloggers understand the factors key to success and allocate the appropriate resources to operate a blog and achieve success. Originality/value – The value of this study is to establish the importance of customer experiential value theory. Previous research on customer experiential value primarily focuses on analysing consumer shopping behaviours and mostly on the utilitarian value of products. This research focuses on inner pleasure gained through reading blogs, such as aesthetic experiences and emotional reactions.