• 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.

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.

Digital business transformation is considered an effective business strategy that appears to have gained attention since the enterprises are challenged to continuously improve their business practices as well as capabilities. The use of digital technologies could reduce the influence of external crises and could introduce massive changes in business operations by providing better business models. Moreover, adopting digital technology can influence both economic sustainability and social value of enterprises and can improve regional socio-economic conditions. There are few recent studies on how technology can empower enterprises at different phases of growth and sustainability; furthermore, very few studies are available that determine how adopting different modern digital technologies can create value for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, this study aims to close this gap and investigate the moderating role of entrepreneurial orientation. With the support of resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability view (DCV) theories, along with a literature review, a theoretical model has been developed. It was then validated using the PLS-SEM technique considering 319 respondents who are SME employees in India. The findings show that adopting digital technologies has a significant impact on the creation of economic sustainability and social value for SMEs. The study also found a significant moderating impact of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between social and economic value creation and SME 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.

ChatGPT is an AI tool that was primarily developed by OpenAI with the support of its GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 platforms and large language models. ChatGPT has been fine-tuned with both supervised and reinforcement learning technology. Various types of organizations are interested in adopting applications supported by GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 platforms, but there is an acute shortage of trained workers in this field. Research is needed to investigate the role of this very new technology and skilled workers in maintaining business sustainability. Also, few studies have investigated the role of leadership motivation in accelerating business sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to examine the role of ChatGPT and skilled employees in business sustainability. It also investigates the moderating impact of leadership motivation on business sustainability. With the help of resource-based view (RBV) and the extant literature, a theoretical model was developed, which was then validated using the PLS-SEM technique on feedback from 209 respondents. The study finds that both ChatGPT and skilled workers have significant impact on improving business sustainability. The study also demonstrates that leadership motivation significantly impacts business sustainability.

Entrepreneurship is the readiness and ability of an organization, primarily a new business, to develop, organize, and conduct its business to make a profit despite uncertainties. Social commerce (s-commerce) assists consumers to buy products online. However, few studies have investigated the influence of entrepreneurship and online platform capability on consumers’ online purchase decisions. Academicians, researchers, and practitioners are also increasingly interested in understanding how the s-commerce environment influences entrepreneurship and online purchase decisions. Against this background, this study set out to examine this phenomenon. Using information adoption models and contagion theory as well as the input from the literature review, a theoretical model was developed. Such a model was tested with a factor-based PLS-SEM approach by analyzing the responses of 342 respondents. The results find that electronic WOM (e-WOM) credibility, predicted by online e-WOM content and platform credibility, and impacted by online reputation, could significantly influence consumers’ online purchase decisions. The study also finds that both positive and negative valance of eWOM as well as entrepreneurship significantly influence eWOM credibility, which in turn positively influences consumers’ purchase decisions when using online platforms.

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.

The purpose of this study is to examine artificial intelligence (AI) dynamism and its impact on sustainability of firms, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In addition, this study investigates the moderating effects of technological and leadership support for AI technology deployment and sustainability for manufacturing and production firms. We developed a theoretical model through the lenses of expectation disconfirmation theory (EDT), technology–trust–fit (TTF) theory, contingency theory, and the knowledge contained in the existing literature. We tested the proposed theoretical model using factor-based PLS-SEM technique by analyzing data from 343 managers of SMEs. The findings of this study demonstrate that organizational characteristics, situational characteristics, technological characteristics, and individual characteristics all impacted SMEs’ deployment of AI technologies for the purpose of achieving sustainability, with technological and leadership support acting as moderators.