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1.
Influence of electronic decision aids on consumer shopping
in online stores
Authors:
Girish N. Punj and Adam Rapp
Abstract:
The purpose of this paper is to develop a taxonomy of electronic
decision aids in terms of their characteristics, describe
the functions performed by them, and then relate both the
characteristics and the functions to likely changes in consumer
decision-making in a Web-based decision environment. A series
of theoretical propositions that predict the likely impact
of electronic decision aids on how consumers make purchase
decisions in online settings is presented. The paper concludes
with an agenda for future research for understanding consumer
decision making in Web-based decision environments.
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2.
In
search for viable e-solutions
Authors:
Solveig Wikstrom, Bo Lennstrand and Christian Perrson
Abstract:
There is quite extensive research available on how consumers
experience the e-channel. However, there are still aspects
that are difficult to interpret and fully understand. In
this paper, we will explore this issue by taking our previous
research results on the benefits and shortcomings consumers
experience from the e-channel, and compare it with ongoing
results on the service qualities of successful e-companies.
By integrating these findings, we can identify qualities
that characterize e-solutions useful for the consumers and
profitable for the firms. We conclude with the solution
to combine the physical elements of the real world with
the virtual elements of the e-world.
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3.
Consumers
behaving badly: deviation or innovation? A conceptual exploration
of empowered communications online- The case of consumer-producer
relationships on the web
Authors:
Janice Denegri-Knott
Abstract:
Consumers behaving badly online as a form of deviation perhaps
epitomises producers' greatest concerns (see Experian's
White Paper Report, 2001). An apparent transfer of control
and power in online environments from producers to consumers
could provide an answer to whether or not the World Wide
Web is the next marketing frontier (Venkatesh, Meamber and
Firat, 1998). While it is still too early to assess this,
we are starting to witness the results of producers' co-optation
of the web: In some circumstances consumers will resist
marketing action. Some consumers will steal (15 million
individuals illicitly traded three billion songs in August
2001)(Mercury News, 2001); some consumers will lie (40%
of web users have provided false information at some point)
(Georgia Tech Research Corporation, 1997); some consumers
will organise boycotts against organisations (pro-breast
feeding groups organised boycotts against Nestle). Acts
of consumers behaving badly have been reported and studied
in offline contexts (Fullerton and Punj, 2000; Fullterton
and Punj, 1993). Fullterton and Punj (2003:394) assert that
"many consumers will misbehave some of the time". While
this might be true, it is also probable that computer mediated
environments (cmes) present more opportunities to misbehave
and hence the scale of acts of misconduct could mean that
they should be regarded as the norm rather than the exception.
Some estimates reveal that computer crime may cost as much
as fifty billion dollars per year (InterGov International,
2001). In 2001 approximately five billion dollars worth
of software was stolen over the Internet (InterGov International,
2001). The widespread use of the Internet for acts of deviance
is also reflected in popular Internet applications. According
to Nielsen/Net ratings (2002) the sixth largest Internet
application then was KAZAA, a peer-to-peer file sharing
system through which consumers can download and upload copyright
material for free. This widened degree of misbehaviour on
the web is also a great concern among producers. Seventy
percent of businesses in the UK surveyed by Experian in
2001 deemed doing business over the Internet inherently
more risky than by any other market outlet.
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