PurposeThe purpose of this study is to build on prior work to empirically test the possible effects of control‐related consumer difference variables on the decision to use self‐service technology (SSTs) in three different contexts. Specifically, the paper seeks to examine potential effects of locus of control, autonomy, self‐efficacy, technology anxiety and time pressure on the SST usage decision in a shopping, a library and a hotel situation.Design/methodology/approachThe design of the study was empirical. Data for the study came from 187 college students in classes from four different departments (business, computer science, language, and music departments) in a southern regional university.FindingsOverall, the results suggest that regardless of individual need for control and achievements, highly techno phobic consumers and those with an enduring attitude that all events in life are predestined may be generally more disposed than others to prefer check‐out service personnel rather than self‐service check‐out machines, depending on the situation.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of this study is that respondents were primarily students, which limits the generalizability of the study. However, the study provides useful information about customer characteristics to target for service managers who are considering adopting SST options or are planning a SST improvement program.Originality/valueThis study helps augment earlier studies developed to understand the importance of examining consumer traits in the context of the specific situation, especially when deploying new SSTs.

Purpose This study aims to test Lamberton and Rose’s (2012) commercial sharing utility model of access-based consumption use in three different contexts: car-sharing, room-sharing and household goods purchases. More importantly, this research extends the model by examining the effects of emerging adulthood as a life-stage on perceived value of social applications that facilitate and promote transaction utility, called shareaids. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire designed to evaluate the effects of emerging adulthood and sharing utilities on intention to use sharing services was developed and administered to 345 respondents at a Midwestern US university. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings Results indicate that flexibility utility had the strongest direct impact on intention to use sharing consumption while also having indirect effects in all contexts examined. The emerging adulthood life-stage was found to affect transaction utility and shareaids as predicted, and shareaids positively influenced consumers’ perception of the social utility value of access-based consumption. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of this study is limited by its use of a student sample. Also, the study suffers from inherent limitations linked to self-reported survey research. Practical implications Sharing services that have a strong social component could use shareaids to gain a competitive advantage. Examples of shareaid application include split bills for multiple payments to split fares among friends and social media transaction tools. Shareaid applications can enhance consumers’ perception of social value and the overall shareability value of the sharing service. Originality/value This is the first known study to test the effects of emerging adulthood as a life-stage on perceived value of social applications that facilitate and promote transaction utility, called shareaids.

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Purpose This paper aims to empirically test a model of different facets of perceived value (economic, emotional, aesthetic and convenience) and social mindfulness (SM) as determinants of consumer satisfaction and repurchase intentions of mobile smart wristbands. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire designed to assess these effects was administered to students at a Midwestern US university. Data were analyzed using AMOS structural equation modeling software. Findings The findings reveal that SM was significant in explicating perceived convenience value. The utilitarian value measures in the model (economic and convenience) were found to significantly affect satisfaction and in turn, repurchase intention. Surprisingly, all hedonic-related constructs in the model (emotional and aesthetic) did not significantly affect satisfaction and subsequently, repurchase intentions. Practical implications Findings from this research suggest that when targeting young adults, marketing managers and retailers should focus their efforts to convenience value as influenced by SM. Originality/value This is one of only a few studies in marketing to investigate the role of SM and perceived value on satisfaction and repurchase intentions of a technology gadget among young consumers.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to respond to the call of international marketing professionals for more studies on strategies that firms use in response to the complexities of interacting with other institutions in the emerging markets (EMs) of sub-Saharan Africa. The key research question investigated by employing the exploratory qualitative data gathered is: What strategies and global alliances do small local firms (SLFs) in Nigeria adopt to succeed under complex market conditions? Design/methodology/approach The methodology employed is exploratory qualitative research. The authors conducted extended interviews to generate rich case study data from the top management of the selected SLFs in Nigeria. The interview data were assessed using open, axial and selective coding to uncover macro-narratives that guide SLFs’ strategies and global alliances. Findings The macro-narratives derived from the qualitative case analysis reveal a theoretical framework centered on three major elements of competitive strategies in Nigeria: build global capacity and strategic alliances from the get-go; develop local strategic alliances; master matching alliance partners’ needs to create innovative payment plans and, when necessary, shift the transaction cost burden to alliance partners. Matching theory rather than traditional network theories is better at explicating SLFs’ alliances in Nigeria. Implementation of these strategies requires flexible strategic initiatives. Originality/value The study adapts institutional interaction theory, network theory, matching alliance perspective, trade credit theories and the literature on small firms’ strategies in EMs to explicate successful small local firm strategies and global alliances under complex market conditions in Nigeria. The recognition that SLFs regularly migrate and shift the burden of transactions’ cost to multiple stakeholders in the supply network by matching customers and supplier needs is important. The discovery of matching theory in explicating SLFs’ global alliances in Nigeria is unique to this study.