What motivates customers to participate in social commerce? The impact of technological environments and virtual customer experiences

Social commerce, as a relatively new phenomenon, has attracted little research attention. This study aims to provide initial insights into the dynamics of customer participation in social commerce. Based on the stimulus–organism–response paradigm, this study develops a model to investigate the effects of technological features (perceived interactivity, perceived personalization and perceived sociability) of social commerce on customers’ virtual experiences (social support, social presence and flow) and subsequently their participation intention. The results indicate that social commerce intention is determined by social support, social presence and flow experiences. These experiences, in turn, are influenced by perceived interactivity, personalization and sociability features.     

What causes users to switch from a local to a global social network site? The cultural,social, economic,and motivational factors of Facebook’s globalization

This study investigates what causes local users to switch or not to switch from a domestic to a global social network site (SNS), Facebook. In the prediction model using cultural, social, economic factors, and motives for using SNS, we found in S. Korean users that, along with entertainment motives, the expected benefit of a new global SNS was a positive predictor of transition to Facebook. The western cultural values of a global SNS and the sunk costs of using a local SNS were negative predictors of the intention to use Facebook as the main platform of online social networking. Given that global SNSs force anti-localization policies related to privacy protocols and relationship styles, the results highlight the fact that cultural values are a critical factor for resisting globalization of SNSs.     

The nature of sellers’ cyber credit in C2C e-commerce: the perspective of social capital

With the fast evolution of e-commerce, it is getting harder for traditional credit management systems to service online businesses with diversified needs in dynamic scenarios. This paper studies the nature of cyber credit from the perspective of social capital. We propose the credit assessment model using social capital variables extracted from the reputation system of an e-commerce platform and the associated online social network. In addition, we consider the dynamic and diversified effects of online reputation on sellers’ cyber credit, and we verify the rationality of the credit assessment model through analyzing the relationship between cyber credit and social network variables. We take Alibaba C2C e-commerce market as our experimental study platform and use the social networking information from Sina’s microblogging services. We find that social capital variables can be used to effectively measure the cyber credit of online sellers in C2C businesses.     

How social is social responses to computers? The function of the degree of anthropomorphism in computer representations

Testing the assumption that more anthropomorphic (human-like) computer representations elicit more social responses from people, a between-participants experiment (N = 168) manipulated 12 computer agents to represent four levels of anthropomorphism: low, medium, high, and real human images. Social responses were assessed with users’ social judgment and homophily perception of the agents, conformity in a choice dilemma task, and competency and trustworthiness ratings of the agents. Linear polynomial trend analyses revealed significant linear trends for almost all the measures. As the agent became more anthropomorphic to being human, it received more social responses from users.     

Should firms invest in social commerce? An integrative perspective

Integrating resource-based view and opportunity–motivation–ability framework, we theorize that social commerce represents firms’ opportunity to access valuable social media resources and gain a competitive advantage. We further argue that product uncertainty and firm reputation indicate firms’ motivation and ability, respectively, to use the social media resources, affecting the extent to which the competitive advantage can be realized. An event study of 275 social commerce initiatives announced between 2006 and 2011 supports our arguments, showing that social commerce increases firms’ stock returns, but such increases are more significant for firms selling products with high uncertainty and having high reputation.     

How do interruptions affect user contributions on social commerce?

Social commerce is an extension of e‐commerce, in which social media is leveraged to promote user contributions. Our study asks how interruptions in relation to interface design influence two types of user contributions: creating shared content and appreciating others' content. We use two interface designs, pagination and infinite scrolling, to manipulate the extent of interruptions to social commerce users. On the basis of the capacity theory of attention, we develop five hypotheses. We empirically test our model using a lab experiment and a field study to show that interruptions reduce users' content appreciation but increase their content creation and that user characteristics moderate these effects. The theoretical and practical contributions of our study are discussed.     

Skewing users’ rational risk considerations in social commerce: An empirical examination of the role of social identification

Social commerce has emerged as a new platform that enables users to conduct shopping assisted by inputs from other members and to publicly comment on transactions or products. It therefore adds a social aspect to traditional online commerce environments. Nevertheless, the role of the social facet embedded in such transactions in influencing user behaviors is not fully understood. In this study, we rely on theories of risk deterrence in decision-making and the “risky/choice shift” logic to suggest that the social identification of users regarding their community members skews the way they consider risks in decision-making on these sites. Using data from 175 users of etsy.com, we show that perceived commerce risk reduces intentions to buy from the website and that perceived participation risk curtails intentions to post comments on social commerce forums. The findings further show that the influence of these risk assessments is reduced when the degree of social identification with the website community increases; these risk considerations become negligible in decision-making processes when ’social identification is one standard deviation above the mean. Hence, users’ social identification with the social commerce website community skews their rational decision-making.     

The threats of social networking: Old wine in new bottles?

Despite the many potential benefits to its users, social networking appears to provide a rich setting for criminal activities and other misdeeds. In this paper we consider whether the risks of social networking are unique and novel to this context. Having considered the nature and range of applications to which social networks may be applied, we conclude that there are no exploits or fundamental threats inherent to the social networking setting. Rather, the risks and associated threats treat this communicative and social context as an enabler for existing, long established and well-recognised exploits and activities.     

Do customization programs of e-commerce companies lead to better relationship with consumers?

The purpose of this study is to propose a model that explains the consumers’ perception of customization in e-commerce. This study suggests two determinants of consumer attitude toward the e-commerce website with customization options: perceived participation and perceived company responsiveness. Consumer attitude was posited to influence consumers’ intention to consider a long-term relationship with an e-commerce company. In this model, two consumer characteristics—consumer expertise and preference stability—were considered as moderators of the relations between consumers’ perception of participation and company’s responsiveness and consumer attitude toward the customization program. The model was tested by structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 14.0, and the posited relations were confirmed. The moderating effect of preference stability was found significant. The perceived participation level of those with a more stable preference influenced their attitude toward the customization experience, while the company’s responsiveness was influential only for those with a less stable preference.     

Social compensation or rich-get-richer? The role of social competence in college students’ use of the Internet to find a partner

Online dating continues to grow rapidly in popularity every day, yet the role of social competence in online dating behavior remains unclear. This study was designed to expand previous research and conduct a comprehensive investigation on how social competence is associated with college students’ online dating behaviors, perceptions, and attitudes. Two hypotheses were tested: The social compensation hypothesis (SCH)—socially incompetent individuals would engage in more online dating, and the rich-get-richer hypothesis (RGRH)—socially competent individuals would use online dating more than their incompetent counterparts. The results showed that incompetent individuals, despite their ability to see benefits in online dating, did not show a favorable attitude towards online dating. They indicated a more frequent use of and a stronger preference for face-to-face dating compared to online dating, which contradicted the SCH. There were weak associations between competence traits and online dating behavior. Socially competent individuals perceived less benefit and showed less interest in online dating, which disconfirmed the RGRH.     

Dynamic simulation of a contact-enhanced MEMS inertial switch in Simulink?

A novel contact-enhanced design of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) inertial switch was proposed and modeled in Simulink^?. The contact effect is improved by an easily realized modification on the traditional design, i.e. introducing a movable contact point between the movable electrode (proof mass) and the stationary electrode, therefore forming a dual mass-spring system. The focus of this paper is limited to a vertically driven unidirectional one for the purposes of demonstration, but this design concept and Simulink^? model is universal for various kinds of inertial micro-switches. The dynamic simulation confirmed the contact-enhancing mechanism, showing that the switch-on time can be prolonged for the dynamic shock acceleration and the bouncing effect can be reduced for the quasi-static acceleration. The threshold acceleration of the inertial switch is determined by the proof mass-spring system’s natural frequency. Since the inertial switches were fabricated by the multilayer electroplating technology, the proof mass thickness were assigned two values, 100 and 50 μm, in order to get threshold levels of 56 and 133 g respectively for the dynamic acceleration of half-sine wave with 1 ms duration. Other factors that influence the dynamic response, such as the squeeze film damping and the contact point-spring system’s natural frequency were also discussed. The fabricated devices were characterized by the drop hammer experiment, and the results were in agreement with the simulation predictions. The switch-on time was prolonged to over 50 μs from the traditional design’s 10 μs, and could reach as long as 120 μs. Finally, alternative device configurations of the contact-enhancing mechanism were presented, including a laterally driven bidirectional inertial switch and a multidirectional one.     

The stickiness intention of group-buying websites: The integration of the commitment–trust theory and e-commerce success model

The success of consumer-to-business (C2B) group-buying websites (GBWs) relies heavily on consumers’ relationships with the GBWs, a topic not yet adequately investigated in the existing literature. In addition, there is a transition from the technical and/or transactional views in e-commerce studies to a relational view. However, such studies have focused on business-to-consumer contexts. By integrating the e-commerce success model and commitment–trust theory, we developed a model of GBW stickiness, which is examined using data collected from 280 GBW users. The results indicated that relationship commitment, trust, and satisfaction were key determinants of stickiness intention. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.     

Does friendship quality matter in social commerce? An experimental study of its effect on purchase intention

Friendship plays a critical role in social commerce in contemporary societies. This study aims to theorize and examine how friendship quality impacts purchase intention. Product-related risk is introduced to gain insight into its moderating effects on intention to purchase from three different seller groups. Through empirical evidence, we confirm that friendship quality has positively effect on purchase intention. In particular, friends with high friendship quality (i.e., good friends) are more conducive to selling high-price high-risk products. However, friends with low friendship quality (i.e., simple friends) are not as attractive as strangers having good user reviews (i.e., reputable strangers). In other words, people are more willing to buy from reputable strangers than from simple friends. Theoretically, these results contribute to a better understanding of the effect of friendship quality on purchase intention. Finally, this research offers several practical implications for developing successful businesses in social commerce.     

The strategic choice to continue outsourcing,switch vendors,or backsource: Do switching costs matter?

IT outsourcing contracts are often discontinued in favor of other alternatives (returning to in-house development, or switching to another vendor). Switching costs are experienced when terminating a business relationship and securing an alternative. We tried to answer the question: do switching costs matter significantly in the strategic choice to continue outsourcing, switch vendors, or backsource? Switching costs were considered, such as those due to IT operations (sunk investment, lost performance, system upgrades, uncertainty, and induction–retraining–performance), personnel-replacement costs (candidate search, and IT/setup), and in-house learning (cognitive/behavioral learning). A field survey was conducted, and, for each of these cost types, the differences between group means across the three groups (outsourcing continuation, vendor switching, and backsourcing) were determined. The findings suggested that customer organizations preferred outsourcing continuation most and backsourcing least when their switching costs were high. However, the relative preference for vendor switching depended on the switching cost type.     

How to avoid misinterpretation of heart rate variability power spectra?

Spectral analysis of R-R Interval time series is increasingly used to determine periodic components of heart rate variability (HRV). Particular diagnostic relevance is assigned to a low-frequency (LF) component, associated with blood pressure regulation, and a high-frequency (HF) component, also referred to as respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in the HRV power spectra. Frequency ranges for parametrisation of power spectra have been defined for either component in numerous publications.Results obtained from examinations with standardised psychic load in which ECG and respiratory signal are continuously recorded and adequately processed have shown that the true individual frequency range of the HF component can be reliably determined only by means of characteristics of respiration (respiratory rate (RR), range and median value of RR, tidal depth). Respiratory rhythms are interindividually extremely differentiated and of individual-specific nature. In many cases LF and HF components may be totally superimposed on each other and, consequently, cannot be diagnostically evaluated.     

How to unite the power of the masses? Exploring collective stickiness intention in social network sites from the perspective of knowledge sharing

This study aims to investigate users’ knowledge-sharing intention and collective stickiness intention towards social network sites (SNS). SNS offer an opportunity for users to interact and form relationships, while knowledge is accrued by integrating users’ information, experience, and practice. However, there have been few systematic studies that question why people use SNS to share knowledge. We adopt social capital theory, social identity theory, as well as use and gratification theory, to explore the determinants of members’ knowledge-sharing intention in using SNS. The survey was conducted on two education virtual communities (VCs) on Facebook, of which most members were teachers and educators. Data analysis was executed to validate our research model, and SmartPLS was used to analyse users’ collective stickiness intention. The results show that social capital and social identity have an impact on teachers’ knowledge-sharing intention, which, in turn, influences collective stickiness intention towards SNS. Our findings can not only help researchers interpret why members share their knowledge in VCs, but can assist practitioners in developing better SNS strategies as well.     

Disclosing too much? Situational factors affecting information disclosure in social commerce environment

The buying and selling of goods and services are no longer limited to a general website or a physical store as social networks, such as Facebook or Pinterest, are heavily focusing on social commerce. Prior studies have analyzed impact of trust and culture on social commerce, design and interface aspects of it, and intention to use social commerce by general people. Our study is informed by the literature on information disclosure intention, and Communication Privacy Management theory and is motivated by the fundamental premise that intention to self-disclose in social commerce is affected by perceived ownership of information, privacy apathy, the risks and benefits of disclosure and fairness of information exchange. We analyzed data collected from 252 samples using the scenario method. The results show that shoppers’ information disclosure intention is driven by the fairness of information exchange, privacy benefits and privacy apathy.     

Proteomics in rheumatology: The beginning of a fairy tale?

One of the major challenges in proteome research is to translate its applications to the setting of human diseases. Proteomics in rheumatology is an area with marked potential including applications ranging from diagnostics, over therapeutic monitoring to discovery of new potential therapeutic targets. Biomarkers will be essential to discriminate between clinical similar rheumatic diseases, to monitor disease-states or to install the best appropriate therapy. Especially in the field of rheumatology, analysis of specific genes and/or their expression products by pharmacogenetics/-genomics or pharmacoproteomics could be necessary to enable an effective, patient-tailored therapy. In rheumatology, direct examination of proteins may be of utmost importance, as it is already known that PTMs, such as citrullination of proteins or peptides, may be involved in certain rheumatic diseases. The discovery and validation of antibodies directed against citrullinated proteins/peptides in rheumatic diseases using proteome analysis approaches has been described. Gel-free methods, SELDI-approaches and classic 2-DE approaches have been deployed on body fluids as well as on target tissues in different rheumatic diseases. Proteomics in rheumatology is on the rise and pilot studies have indicated that the application of proteomics-based technologies in rheumatic diseases appears to be an exciting example of translational research.     

Beyond concern: a privacy–trust–behavioral intention model of electronic commerce

Despite the recent economic downturn in the Internet and telecommunication sectors, electronic commerce (EC) will continue to grow and corporate Web sites will remain an important communication channel. However, legitimate concerns regarding privacy and trust remain potential obstacles to growth and important issues to both individuals and organizations. This study proposed and tested a theoretical model that considers an individual’s perceptions of privacy and how it relates to his or her behavioral intention to make an online transaction. An experiment that included over 200 subjects was conducted using two EC sites that differed only by the privacy dimensions of their notice, access, choice, and security. The results of this study suggested strong support for the model.