• Energy Research

A social robot utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to engage and interact with humans and several studies have explored the various functionalities of social robots. However, limited research has been conducted on how factors such as aesthetics and compatibility can influence individuals' intention to use social robots. Consequently, the aim of this research study is to address this gap and provide insights in this area. The study adopts the technology acceptance model, theory of planned behavior, and innovation diffusion theory to investigate the cognitive and psychological factors that impact an individual's intention to use social robots. The study uses self-efficacy, and innovativeness as the predictors of compatibility. Also, the study uses personal norms, and social norms as predictors of aesthetics. Taking account of theories and current literature, we developed a conceptual model and validated it using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique with 372 respondents. The study found that compatibility and aesthetics are important factors impacting individuals’ intentions to use social robots.

A social robot utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to engage and interact with humans and several studies have explored the various functionalities of social robots. However, limited research has been conducted on how factors such as aesthetics and compatibility can influence individuals' intention to use social robots. Consequently, the aim of this research study is to address this gap and provide insights in this area. The study adopts the technology acceptance model, theory of planned behavior, and innovation diffusion theory to investigate the cognitive and psychological factors that impact an individual's intention to use social robots. The study uses self-efficacy, and innovativeness as the predictors of compatibility. Also, the study uses personal norms, and social norms as predictors of aesthetics. Taking account of theories and current literature, we developed a conceptual model and validated it using the partial least squares structural equation modeling technique with 372 respondents. The study found that compatibility and aesthetics are important factors impacting individuals’ intentions to use social robots.

Ubiquitous CRM (UCRM) enhances customer relationship management. It can sense customer needs and demands, to which firms can respond quickly. Therefore, UCRM helps to improve a firm’s agility. There is a growing interest among researchers and practitioners to understand how the adoption of UCRM impacts the sustainability of firms’ operations, but not many studies have investigated this issue. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine how firms’ absorptive capacity and dynamic capability could impact the adoption of UCRM to influence the operational sustainability of the firms and their performance. The study also investigates the moderating role of technology turbulence on the relationship between a firm’s operational sustainability and its performance. Using absorptive capacity theory and dynamic capability view theory and reviewing the existing literature, we developed a conceptual model. The model was then validated using a structural equation modeling technique considering 309 usable respondents from different firms that use UCRM for their operational activities. The study found that firms’ absorptive capacity and dynamic capability significantly and positively impact the adoption of UCRM, which in turn significantly and positively impacts firms’ operational sustainability and improves their performance. The study also shows that there is a significant moderating role of technology turbulence on the relationship between operational sustainability and firm performance.

Ubiquitous CRM (UCRM) enhances customer relationship management. It can sense customer needs and demands, to which firms can respond quickly. Therefore, UCRM helps to improve a firm’s agility. There is a growing interest among researchers and practitioners to understand how the adoption of UCRM impacts the sustainability of firms’ operations, but not many studies have investigated this issue. In this context, the aim of this study is to examine how firms’ absorptive capacity and dynamic capability could impact the adoption of UCRM to influence the operational sustainability of the firms and their performance. The study also investigates the moderating role of technology turbulence on the relationship between a firm’s operational sustainability and its performance. Using absorptive capacity theory and dynamic capability view theory and reviewing the existing literature, we developed a conceptual model. The model was then validated using a structural equation modeling technique considering 309 usable respondents from different firms that use UCRM for their operational activities. The study found that firms’ absorptive capacity and dynamic capability significantly and positively impact the adoption of UCRM, which in turn significantly and positively impacts firms’ operational sustainability and improves their performance. The study also shows that there is a significant moderating role of technology turbulence on the relationship between operational sustainability and firm performance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most industries, including the hospitality and tourism industry. This is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological well-being of individuals in the hospitality and tourism industry. With the help of the literature and theories, a theoretical model is developed, which is later validated through structural equation modeling, using a survey of 314 usable respondents from the hospitality and tourism industry. This study finds that coping has a significant mediating effect on individuals’ psychological well-being and that management support plays a considerably significant role in hospitality and tourism employees’ psychological well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted most industries, including the hospitality and tourism industry. This is one of the first studies to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological well-being of individuals in the hospitality and tourism industry. With the help of the literature and theories, a theoretical model is developed, which is later validated through structural equation modeling, using a survey of 314 usable respondents from the hospitality and tourism industry. This study finds that coping has a significant mediating effect on individuals’ psychological well-being and that management support plays a considerably significant role in hospitality and tourism employees’ psychological well-being.

Social media marketing (SMM) plays an important role in business communication, marketing, operations, and other activities. There is a growing interest among researchers, academicians, and practitioners to understand the role of SMM in business sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy, like India. Few studies have attempted to understand this role. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the impact of adopting social media marketing for sustainable business growth of SMEs in an emerging economy. The study also investigates the moderating role of SME leadership support on the relationship between SMM usage and sustainable business growth of SMEs. After reviewing the existing literature and technology adoption model, a theoretical model is developed, which is then validated using a structural equation modeling technique to analyze 304 samples of Indian SMEs that use different social media marketing applications in their enterprises. This study confirmed that SMM tools significantly and positively improve the sustainable growth of SMEs in an emerging economy. Additionally, the study also found that SME leadership team plays a vital role in supporting actual usage of SMM tools that accelerate sustainable business growth of SMEs.

Social media marketing (SMM) plays an important role in business communication, marketing, operations, and other activities. There is a growing interest among researchers, academicians, and practitioners to understand the role of SMM in business sustainability in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging economy, like India. Few studies have attempted to understand this role. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the impact of adopting social media marketing for sustainable business growth of SMEs in an emerging economy. The study also investigates the moderating role of SME leadership support on the relationship between SMM usage and sustainable business growth of SMEs. After reviewing the existing literature and technology adoption model, a theoretical model is developed, which is then validated using a structural equation modeling technique to analyze 304 samples of Indian SMEs that use different social media marketing applications in their enterprises. This study confirmed that SMM tools significantly and positively improve the sustainable growth of SMEs in an emerging economy. Additionally, the study also found that SME leadership team plays a vital role in supporting actual usage of SMM tools that accelerate sustainable business growth of SMEs.