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This study tests consumer evaluations of services with the adoption of self-service technology (SST) in the hospitality service context. We revised the conventional consumer evaluation model by incorporating the concept of consumer empowerment to capture the consumer experience with the technology. This model was tested in a two-stage process using data collected from the consumers of clubhouses in Singapore before and after the adoption of SST. We found that structural relationships among service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty were established with consistent pre- and post-adoption, and that consumer empowerment has positive effects on service quality, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. Moreover, the adoption of SST increased customer loyalty but did not increase service quality or customer satisfaction. The study's results suggest that the focus when adopting SST should be on empowering consumers, which should also be incorporated into managing customer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional beauty standards are evolving as brands embrace diversity and equity through inclusive communication strategies. This paradigm shift is evident in the transition from stereotypical slender models to the inclusion of more diverse plus‐size models in brand communication. However, an important question arises: Does the presence of a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhance consumer support for a brand? The present research encompasses six studies, including one field study and five experimental studies, that delve into the relationship between models' body size and brand evangelism. The findings demonstrate that featuring a plus‐size model in an advertisement enhances brand evangelism among consumers. Further, consumer empowerment is the underlying mechanism driving this effect. Finally, this research identifies the moderating role of empathy such that consumers with higher levels of empathy experience a heightened sense of empowerment through inclusive brand communication. By illuminating these dynamics, this research contributes to the growing literature of diversity, equity, and inclusion in brand communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – A surge in demand for ethical products, including cruelty-free products, has been well documented in recent years, with direct ramifications for businesses. This trend towards ethical consumption seemed to be swiftly replicated in Eastern countries, especially in South Asian nations, as a result of westernisation. Based on the theory of planned behaviour and the concept of the attitude-behaviour gap, this study aims to investigate the impact of westernisation on the purchase intention of cruelty-free cosmetic products. Design/methodology/approach – A positivist research paradigm was utilised in this study. Accordingly, an online self-administered questionnaire was shared among 242 consumers of cosmetic products in Sri Lanka in order to collect responses. The statistical techniques of correlation analysis, the Sobel test and moderator regression analysis have been utilised in this study. Findings – It was found that there seems to be a positive impact of westernisation and the cruelty-free purchase intention of consumers. Moreover, consumer empowerment appears to mediate this relationship, while the attitude behaviour gap tends to further impact the relationship between consumer empowerment and the purchase intention of cruelty-free products. Originality/value – This study seems to shed light upon the impact of westernisation on the purchase intention of consumers, especially from an ethical dimension and this study is likely to extend existing studies which have focussed on consumer empowerment, attitude-behaviour gap as well as the theory of planned behaviour, especially in the context of South Asia, where there seems to be a dearth of such investigations. Moreover, this study has attempted to contextualise the construct of “Westernisation” to the South Asian region in line with the tone set by an editorial article Dewasiri et al. (2021).

The integration of smart meters into contemporary energy infrastructure is paramount for optimizing energy utilization and efficiency. This paper delves into a comprehensive exploration of smart meter design and operation using microcontroller-based simulation through Proteus Professional software. Incorporating essential components such as OPAMP LM358, XOR Gate 74LS386, resistors, capacitors, diodes, transformers, and microcontrollers, the smart meter aims to precisely measure and monitor power consumption. Moreover, it envisions seamless integration with connectivity technologies like GPRS, Public Network, Corporate Network, and Global Gateway to facilitate real-time communication and data exchange. By fostering a symbiotic relationship between smart meters and the smart grid, this integration strives to elevate energy management practices, curtail wastage, and foster sustainability. The paper elucidates the conceptual framework, design principles, and potential benefits of this integration, thus setting the stage for future advancements in smart energy infrastructure. Notably, the proposed smart meter boasts the capability to measure various electrical parameters including Voltage, Current, Frequency, Energy, Phase Angle, Active power, Reactive power, making it pivotal for big data analysis, thereby underscoring its significance in contemporary energy management endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exponential rise of Information and Communication Technology in recent years has brought e-payment systems to the forefront of businesses. Hence, several e-payment options have emerged for consumer and commercial transactions perspective. However, it has led to few challenges for consumer's decision making with respect to the adoption of e-payment system. Therefore, we developed and tested a model of e-payment adoption with respect to consumer empowerment theory. The study also examined the mediating role of consumer empowerment on the relationship between consumer digital awareness (CDA), consumer digital literacy (CDL), consumer digital engagement (CDE) and adoption of e-payment systems. We used a purposive sampling method to collect data from 390 techno savvy respondents from India who used digital payment services. The study found that CDA, CDL and CDE have positive effects on consumer empowerment. This result further partially mediated the relationship between its determinants and adoption intention of the e-payment systems. The findings contributed to the understanding of the dynamics of e-payment system adoption of consumers for developing countries, especially Indian consumers. The empirical results would provide a guideline for decision makers to develop suitable measures that can encourage the adoption of e-payment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retraction notice The publisher of the Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management wishes to retract the article: Gopi, R.K., Lavuri, R. and Sudhakar, K.F. (2023), “Exploring consumer webrooming behaviour in the emerging fashion market: an integrated approach and forthcoming research”, Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-03-2023-0080 It has come to our attention that there are statistical errors present within the article. As part of an investigation into the article’s findings, the authors were requested to provide a copy of the data so that the editorial team could verify the findings. The authors were unable to provide the requested data. As a result of these concerns, the findings of the article cannot be relied upon. The publisher of the journal sincerely apologises to the readers. The retracted article is available at: https://doi.org/10.1108/JFMM-03-2023-0080

This study explores the evolution of the music industry in the digital age by focusing on market intermediation. Drawing on Karpik's (2010) economics of singularities, it aims to understand how digital technologies have transformed cultural intermediaries in the context of the independent music market. More-than-human (n)ethnography supported by depth interviews and secondary data analysis is used to provide new insights into the persistent function of judgement devices in digitalised markets. The findings highlight the material and axiological affordances of judgement devices and show how they provide opportunities for consumers whose intentions affect the actions of judgement devices. Although digitalisation has enhanced consumer empowerment, our study also reveals how actors of the indie music market experience the persistence of power relations in the music industry and the paradoxes of digitalisation. By focusing on the complex nature of technocultural changes, this paper offers a nuanced understanding of the (un)changing role of cultural intermediaries in digitalised markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the dynamic landscape of marketing, shifts in technology, business and behaviour occur that revolutionise how brands connect with consumers. One example is the concept of Reception Marketing. This paper examines the history of marketing strategies, exploring the consumer and marketplace contexts that catalysed the evolution from interruption-based methods to Permission Marketing, ultimately leading to the emergence of Reception Marketing. By examining the challenges with Interruption and Permission Marketing relative to reaching contemporary audiences, this paper highlights the need for a new approach that aligns with today's empowered consumer who bridges the information and artificial intelligence (AI) age. The paper introduces and defines Reception Marketing as a strategy that leverages consumer signals to build authentic and consistent connections between brands and consumers, where each is defined relative to their ability to resonate, build brand equity and therefore make consumers more likely to convert. The paper goes on to discuss the important principles of Reception Marketing and its role in shaping the future of marketing strategies, brand-consumer relationships and the state of the Internet at large. The paper also explores how owned asset optimisation (OAO), along with AI and other technologies, enable brands to implement Reception Marketing at scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While consumer empowerment has been a buzzword in scholarly and managerial circles, the marketing domain lacks a synthesis of consumers' actions toward realizing, actuating, and enhancing their power. Adopting the gain of power perspective propounded by Bachouche and Sabri (AMS Review 9[3]:304-323, 2019) as a starting point, this study develops a taxonomy of consumer actions that, intentionally or otherwise, lead to their empowerment at the individual and collective levels. In this respect, it incorporates behaviors that represent consumer agency targeted at various actors, e.g., other consumers, firms, markets, policymakers, and the broader social order, rather than the tools or strategies these latter actors deploy to empower consumers. Toward this end, the author systematically identifies and reviews 238 research articles published in diverse disciplines. The referent consumer actions are extracted and structured into four conceptual frames based on relationship, information, participation, and aggregation (Denegri-Knott, J Cust Behav 5(1):82–94, 2006). This study adds to theory by providing a first effort at integrating and classifying the body of knowledge relevant to consumer proactive empowerment, i.e., their pursuit of power in the marketplace. Managers and policymakers stand to gain from the current work by understanding the nature of such acts as well as their volitional and structural determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study builds on the Circular Economy paradigm which recognises consumers as key stakeholders in extending textiles' lifespan. The paper unfolds how consumers engage in the textile disposal practices of reuse, repair, donate and resell. In doing so, consumers create a value‐in‐disposition, here conceptualised as the enhanced value that consumers generate through the process of transforming depleted textiles into new meaningful ones. This research adopts a multimethod platform focused ethnography that combines textual, visual and audio data, generated in the domestic environment, which facilitates contextual and situational insights. The findings highlight that value‐in‐disposition goes far beyond the utilitarian aspects (e.g. economic or functional) and includes social, aesthetic, emotional and moral value dimensions, which contribute in building an overarching environmental value. The study shows that consumer disposal practices not only reduce waste but also favour consumer empowerment through the transformation of unused/depleted resources into new value. Finally, the article provides specific managerial insights on the design of textile products and services to encourage consumer engagement in reuse, repair, donation, and resell practices, supporting companies in the Circular Economy uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer feedback platforms offer consumers tools to provide feedback on their market and consumption experiences. Beyond broad prior characterizations, little is known about the specific means by which platforms affect empowerment. Elements of empowerment identified in extant studies include voice, choice, justice, inclusion, catalysis, and consciousness-raising. We research a popular Brazilian platform to learn how platforms facilitate and constrain consumer empowerment. Our approach is immersive, a more-than-human netnography of the platform involving depth interviews with twenty-one of its consumer and corporate users. Findings show same-side and cross-side network effects driving the ability of the platform to offer consumers empowerment. Furthermore, affordances are critically important. Affordances provide opportunities for consumer choice, voice, justice, and inclusion. However, platforms' cross-side network effects create economic considerations that limit those opportunities in theoretically and practically important ways. Although other feedback platforms might offer catalysis and consciousness-raising elements of empowerment, our focal platform does not. Earlier studies of consumer empowerment on the Internet may have been overly general and exuberant because they failed to recognize the constraining impacts of network effects, affordances, and algorithms. Consumer-citizenry, collective action, and consumer power are thoroughly transformed in the age of the platform, opening up new spaces for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Markets are sites of collaboration as well as contestation between their various actors, including firms and consumers. In this respect, a narrative that consumers are more empowered than ever has been in vogue. Drawing from Kafka's literature and philosophy and the paradigm of critical marketing, this paper argues for a broadened perspective. Using a selective and exploratory-review approach, six dimensions of the state of today's consumer emerge. These are subsequently assessed and developed as manifestations challenging the empowerment thesis. The depiction of intense subjugation in Kafka's fiction and the lack of agency his characters portray furnish narrative frames to view the paradoxical state of contemporary consumption. Specifically, consumer choice and sovereignty, service failures and recoveries, privacy concerns, the capitalist nexus, transformation in service provisioning modes, and frontline employees' lowered stakes comprise six analytical frames of consumers' lives that depict their paradoxical simultaneity of empowerment and entrapment. The work contributes to critical marketing theory in particular and critical philosophy in general. Specifically, the proposed framework of consumption challenges depicted herein can serve as a mid-range theoretical taxonomy. The exemplar states highlighted reveal managerial and policy challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A consumer's personal attribute (e.g., disease, body weight) can assume the qualities of a stigma (i.e., become a source of devaluation by others) in the presence of certain audiences, which can affect consumption and represent a major hurdle to marketers in many industries (e.g., health care). Two field experiments manipulating the marketing communications sent to 1,453 consumers diagnosed with 87 diseases of varying stigma potential, as well as two Amazon Mechanical Turk studies, reveal that consumers with potentially stigmatizing attributes distinctly decode aspects of marketing communications as audience cues, to infer how (un)favorable observers of their consumption will be in light of the potential stigma. When consumers possess potentially stigmatizing attributes, audience cues influence social devaluation inferences, which influence their beneficial consumption (program enrollment, long-term engagement in health care program; e.g., 64% click-through decrease) and their interest in detrimental consumption (products that promise to alleviate the stigma but are associated with considerable risks). Anticipated empowerment may increase beneficial consumption among consumers managing stigmatizing attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Recovery Assessment Scale: Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) was designed to be both a recovery outcome measure and a tool to enhance service-user control over their recovery journey. While extensively and globally used in mental health services for the former purpose, routine use for the latter purpose is yet to be realised. The aim of this study was to identify barriers, facilitators and additional supports needed for RAS-DS to be used to support service user participation, goal setting and recovery action planning. Methods An online survey was conducted of mental health workers who had engaged with RAS-DS, including fixed choice and open-ended questions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interpretive content analysis respectively. Results The 65 respondents reported more frequent use of RAS-DS as an outcome measure than as a collaboration tool and more than half reported difficulties in using it in this way. Factors that they described as influencing the use of RAS-DS as a tool for collaboration and support included: previous experiences with RAS-DS; organisational supports and policies; awareness of the RAS-DS amongst colleagues; RAS-DS related training and support; staff time and capacity; the format of RAS-DS; service user population or context; and respondents’ own active efforts. Conclusions Extending the use of RAS-DS, an already widely used tool, to routinely support recovery-oriented practice has both efficiency and service user empowerment benefits. However further work is needed to enable this including: provision of co-designed, accessible training resources; a user platform including built in guidance; and strategies to promote management understanding and valuing of the enhanced recovery-orientation opportunities inherent in RAS-DS use.

Acknowledging the unbalanced power relationship between online platforms and their complementors, the economic dependence relationship and fear of retaliation may prevent complementors from fighting against economically harmful practices implemented by online dominant platforms. The economic dependence relationship and fear of retaliation are illustrated by past antitrust cases on both sides of the Atlantic. Having set the scene in which complementors might be disincentivised to take up legal actions facing anticompetitive practices, this paper takes the example of two distortions of information practices, implemented by dominant online platforms, that are harmful to both consumers and complementors: dark patterns and ranking biased by fake reviews. Under the angle of consumer empowerment (through direct complaints) and consumer-oriented enforcement (relying on competition law, the UCPD, and the Digital Services Act Package), this paper shows that consumer empowerment and consumer-oriented enforcement of distortion of information practices can produce a positive externality for complementors. Sole claims for damages have the lowest probability of producing a positive externality unless they act as a signal against an obligation non-implemented by an online platform. Injunctions and commitments have the highest probability of producing a positive externality for complementors. However, one of the constraints of this proposal may be the limited detectability of these practices by consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acknowledging the unbalanced power relationship between online platforms and their complementors, the economic dependence relationship and fear of retaliation may prevent complementors from fighting against economically harmful practices implemented by online dominant platforms. The economic dependence relationship and fear of retaliation are illustrated by past antitrust cases on both sides of the Atlantic. Having set the scene in which complementors might be disincentivised to take up legal actions facing anticompetitive practices, this paper takes the example of two distortions of information practices, implemented by dominant online platforms, that are harmful to both consumers and complementors: dark patterns and ranking biased by fake reviews. Under the angle of consumer empowerment (through direct complaints) and consumer-oriented enforcement (relying on competition law, the UCPD, and the Digital Services Act Package), this paper shows that consumer empowerment and consumer-oriented enforcement of distortion of information practices can produce a positive externality for complementors. Sole claims for damages have the lowest probability of producing a positive externality unless they act as a signal against an obligation non-implemented by an online platform. Injunctions and commitments have the highest probability of producing a positive externality for complementors. However, one of the constraints of this proposal may be the limited detectability of these practices by consumers.

Background: The Recovery Assessment Scale: Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) was designed to be both a recovery outcome measure and a tool to enhance service-user control over their recovery journey. While extensively and globally used in mental health services for the former purpose, routine use for the latter purpose is yet to be realised. The aim of this study was to identify barriers, facilitators and additional supports needed for RAS-DS to be used to support service user participation, goal setting and recovery action planning. Methods: An online survey was conducted of mental health workers who had engaged with RAS-DS, including fixed choice and open-ended questions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interpretive content analysis respectively. Results: The 65 respondents reported more frequent use of RAS-DS as an outcome measure than as a collaboration tool and more than half reported difficulties in using it in this way. Factors that they described as influencing the use of RAS-DS as a tool for collaboration and support included: previous experiences with RAS-DS; organisational supports and policies; awareness of the RAS-DS amongst colleagues; RAS-DS related training and support; staff time and capacity; the format of RAS-DS; service user population or context; and respondents' own active efforts. Conclusions: Extending the use of RAS-DS, an already widely used tool, to routinely support recovery-oriented practice has both efficiency and service user empowerment benefits. However further work is needed to enable this including: provision of co-designed, accessible training resources; a user platform including built in guidance; and strategies to promote management understanding and valuing of the enhanced recovery-orientation opportunities inherent in RAS-DS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on consumer empowerment has evolved to reflect its requirements over time. This study aimed to trace consumer empowerment research trends through a systematic review of 245 abstracts from two esteemed journals in the field of consumer studies, namely, International Journal of Consumer Studies and Journal of Consumer Affairs. Reference network analysis revealed that research on consumer empowerment has been mainly focused on finance and education. Topic modeling revealed the following six topics: financial literacy education, school education, information competency, dietary behavior/nutrition, financial management competency, and empowerment in the market. Hot topics included financial literacy education and dietary behavior/nutrition, whereas school education was a cold topic. This study provides insights into consumer empowerment research trends and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to understand the mechanism through which cross-channel integration (i.e., both physical and digital) influences consumer retention. The study uses the stimulus-organism-response model framework, which conceptualizes how cross-channel integration influences consumers' feelings of empowerment and satisfaction that stimulate their retention behavior. The study also explores the impact of a retailer's unreliability on a consumer's phygital experience in retailing. Data were collected through an online questionnaire survey (n = 427) and analyzed using SPSS AMOS 25 and PROCESS Macros. The findings suggest that cross-channel integration helps in consumer retention. Consumers' relationship with the retailer gets strengthened because consumers feel empowered and satisfied with the product/service being rendered. Importantly, this study is possibly among the first to explore how channel integration in retailing can impact the consumers' phygital experience, and in the process, influence their long-term association with retailers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the two justifications that are commonly used in intellectual property law: the semiotic democracy and the traditional personality theory of intellectual property. Semiotic democracy emphasizes the right to distribute and access information and the democratization of institutions, practices, speech, dress, mannerisms, etc., while the personality theory of intellectual property emphasizes the development of the personality and the protection of the creator's dignity and personhood. However, this paper highlights some objections to the personality theory, including the unclear moral claim of creators to their feelings, character traits, and experiences and that intellectual property creations may not embody more of a creator's personality than another object. Despite these objections, the personality theory of intellectual property rights is important for the protection of the creators' reputation and their economic interests. Therefore, policymakers must strive to protect these rights to the greatest extent possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Because steadily growing consumption is not beneficial for nature and climate and is not the same as increasing well-being, an anti-consumerism movement has formed worldwide. The renouncement of dispensable consumption will, however, only establish itself as a significant lifestyle if consumers do not perceive reduced consumption as a personal sacrifice. Since prior research has not yielded a consistent understanding of the relationship between anti-consumption and personal well-being, this paper aims to examine three factors about which theory implies that they may moderate this relationship: decision-control empowerment, market-control empowerment and the value of materialism. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on data from a large-scale, representative online survey (N = 1,398). Structural equation modelling with latent interaction effects is used to test how three moderators (decision-control empowerment, market-control empowerment and materialism) affect the relationship amongst four types of anti-consumption (e.g. voluntary simplicity) and three different well-being states (e.g. subjective well-being). Findings: While both dimensions of empowerment almost always directly promote consumer well-being, significant moderation effects are present in only a few but meaningful cases. Although the materialism value tends to reduce consumers' well-being, it improves the well-being effect of two anti-consumption styles. Research limitations/implications: Using only one sample from a wealthy country is a limitation of the study. Researchers should replicate the findings in different nations and cultures. Practical implications: Consumer affairs practitioners and commercial marketing for sustainably produced, high-quality and long-lasting goods can benefit greatly from these findings. Social implications: This paper shows that sustainable marketing campaigns can more easily motivate consumers to voluntarily reduce their consumption for the benefit of society and the environment if a high level of market-control empowerment can be communicated to them. Originality/value: This study provides differentiated new insights into the roles of consumer empowerment, i.e. both decision-control empowerment and market-control empowerment, and the value of materialism to frame specific relationships between different anti-consumption types and various well-being states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of trade technology in Indonesia exposes consumers to potential exploitation during purchasing. This study examines consumer empowerment in Central Bangka Regency using primary data from 88 respondents across four districts. The Consumer Empowerment Index (CEI) value of 38.53, classified as "understand," indicates a fundamental grasp of rights and obligations and reveals room for growth in consumer empowerment. The analysis shows higher empowerment during the purchase phase, with informed decision-making and support for local businesses. However, a weakness emerges in the post-purchase phase, as consumers are less likely to voice experiences or criticize unsatisfactory products, potentially impacting product quality and customer satisfaction. Regression analysis reveals that only years of schooling and age significantly influence the CEI, while the location of residence, gender, and income group do not have significant effects. The model's low R-squared value suggests potential refinement through additional variables or research. These findings provide valuable insights for the government and stakeholders to enhance Central Bangka Regency's consumer empowerment. Focusing on increasing consumer awareness and engagement in the post-purchase phase through targeted educational campaigns, consumer rights workshops, and accessible complaint channels is essential. However, it is crucial to recognize that observed associations do not imply causation and further research is required to establish causal relationships and explore other factors contributing to consumer empowerment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer empowerment is a benchmark for business, especially in the telecommunications sector, for economic fundamentals. This study aims to analyze the effect of social, demographic and economic characteristics and lifestyles on consumer empowerment in the telecommunications sector. This study applied a cross-sectional study with data collection by online survey. Cluster analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze 100 data. The results showed that consumer empowerment in the telecommunications sector was still relatively low. The average level of consumer empowerment in the telecommunications sector was 51.61, including the capable category. Based on dimensions, the index of information seeking was 80.8, knowledge of laws and consumer protection institutions was 52.8, service selection was 63.8, usage behavior was 71.0, tendency to talk was 43.7, and complaint behavior was 27.7. The full-filled lifestyle had a significant negative effect on consumer empowerment in the telecommunications sector. Thus, respondents who had a lifestyle other than a fulfilled lifestyle had more opportunities to be empowered than a fulfilled lifestyle. This research is a breakthrough in the study of thematic consumer empowerment, so it needs to be developed in the future.

The rapid development of trade technology in Indonesia exposes consumers to potential exploitation during purchasing. This study examines consumer empowerment in Central Bangka Regency using primary data from 88 respondents across four districts. The Consumer Empowerment Index (CEI) value of 38.53, classified as "understand," indicates a fundamental grasp of rights and obligations and reveals room for growth in consumer empowerment. The analysis shows higher empowerment during the purchase phase, with informed decision-making and support for local businesses. However, a weakness emerges in the post-purchase phase, as consumers are less likely to voice experiences or criticize unsatisfactory products, potentially impacting product quality and customer satisfaction. Regression analysis reveals that only years of schooling and age significantly influence the CEI, while the location of residence, gender, and income group do not have significant effects. The model's low R-squared value suggests potential refinement through additional variables or research. These findings provide valuable insights for the government and stakeholders to enhance Central Bangka Regency's consumer empowerment. Focusing on increasing consumer awareness and engagement in the post-purchase phase through targeted educational campaigns, consumer rights workshops, and accessible complaint channels is essential. However, it is crucial to recognize that observed associations do not imply causation and further research is required to establish causal relationships and explore other factors contributing to consumer empowerment.

Copyright of Studies & Work of the Collegium of Management & Finance / Studia i Prace Kolegium Zarzadzania i Finansów is the property of SGH Warsaw School of Economics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Consumer reviews on platforms like Amazon are summarized into star ratings, used to weight search results, and consulted by consumers to guide purchase decisions. They are emblematic of the interactive digital environment that has purportedly transferred power from marketers to ‘regular people,’ and yet they represent the infiltration of promotional concerns into online information, as has occurred in search and social media content. Consumers’ ratings and reviews do promotional work for brands—not just for products but the platforms that host reviews—that money can’t always buy. Gains in power by consumers are quickly met with new strategies of control by companies who depend on reviews for reputational capital. Focusing on ecommerce giant Amazon, this article examines the complexities of online reviews, where individual efforts to provide product feedback and help others make choices become transformed into an information commodity and promotional vehicle. It acknowledges the ambiguous nature of reviews due to the rise of industries and business practices that influence or fake reviews as a promotional strategy. In response are yet other business practices and platform policies aiming to provide better information to consumers, protect the image of platforms that host reviews, and punish ‘bad actors’ in competitive markets. The complexity in the production, regulation, and manipulation of product ratings and reviews illustrates how the high stakes of attention in digital spaces create fertile ground for disinformation, which only emphasizes to users that they inhabit a ‘post-truth’ reality online.

Awareness of rights and obligations as a consumer became one of the problems faced by consumers. One way to increase consumer awareness is to provide access to consumer education through media used by consumers. This article aimed to identify and analyze the effect of socio-demographic characteristics and consumer education media toward consumer empowerment on public transportation. This research used a cross-sectional study through an online survey of 100 users of public transportation. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the consumer empowerment index is 44.56 and categorized as capable level. Also, female, early-aged adults (18 - 40 years), high education, employee, income range from IDR 2 000 000 to IDR 3 000 000 per capita per month, and an urban area were the most empowered consumers. In addition, employment status and media of consumer education positively and significantly influenced consumer empowerment.

This research aims to investigate the potential of consumer empowerment, the activation of consumers' perceived power over companies, to achieve improved advertising effects for organic food compared to only communicating ecological benefits (classical green appeals). Two online experiments were conducted to analyze the ad effectiveness for consumers' responses including their evaluations of the company and purchase intentions (nStudy1 = 294; nStudy2 = 457). Results indicate that green empowerment ads reach overall better performance to increase people's perceived customer orientation and purchase intentions compared to green appeals, while similar effects are identified for perceived corporate environmental responsibility. Empowerment tactics are especially effective when consumers perceive the supplier to be a larger, high-resource company compared to a smaller, low-resource one. The significant effects of perceived corporate resources also indicates that smaller companies should use differentiated ad strategies depending on if they intend to enhance consumers' purchase intentions or their environmental reputation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic energy tariffs facilitate engaging domestic consumers on demand management, contributing to grid’s stability, but requires of informed decision enabling tools. This paper presents a domestic heating costs calculation method for different heating technologies (gas boiler, heat-pumps) and a range of energy tariffs. Based on physical modeling, effect of outdoor temperature in the COP of heat-pumps is assessed. The methodology is applied to the 2018/19 heating season in Madrid (Spain), calculating the heating costs under four diverse energy tariffs (static gas tariff, static electricity tariff, real-time-price electricity tariff, dynamic time-of-use electricity tariff) for a typical home demand. The hourly results for two representative days are detailed, along with the aggregated results for the whole season. Along the season, the continuous changes in energy wholesale market prices and weather conditions make one heating technology and/or tariff more convenient each time. For the whole season, the dynamic time-of-use tariff considered would imply heating costs up to 40% lower than the static gas tariff. The results are strongly conditioned by climate conditions and national energy market evolutions. Day-ahead information on the actual heating costs might lead to domestic end-users to adapt their behavior and consumption patterns for more cost-effective use of the energy.

The most commonly cited issues with mobile apps are low user engagement and retention levels. In this paper, we use a randomized control trial to test the efficacy of crowdsourcing on enhancing user engagement and retention in the context of mobile gaming apps. We examine two specific crowdsourcing features: the ability to submit content and the ability to access crowdsourced content. We find that the content submission significantly increases engagement and retention by reducing users' hazard of ending a session by approximately 11% relative to the baseline and reducing the hazard of abandoning the game app by 14%. In contrast, giving users the ability to access crowdsourced content has no significant effect on engagement but has a positive effect on retention by reducing the hazard of abandoning the game app by 13%. Surprisingly, we find that the interaction effect of these two crowdsourced features is negative on user engagement. Individually, the submission feature manifests itself via empowering users to control their product use experience, whereas the access feature's positive effect on retention is mediated by diversity and novelty of content. However, the two effects are not complementary. It turns out when these two features are given together, the empowerment enabled by one's own submission is crowded out by others' submissions, and this dominates the diversity benefit. Crowdsourcing features have heterogeneous impact on different user segments, with heavy users and users of longer tenure being more affected by the crowdsourcing features. This paper was accepted by Anandhi Bharadwaj, information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In lateral exchange markets, consumers can interact with one another to varying degrees (consociality) along different levels of platform management and involvement (platform intermediation). Applying agency theory and attribution of blame, two experimental studies investigate blame for service failures and remediating effects of service recovery strategies in the context of lateral exchange markets. The findings suggest that consumers are more likely to become upset and blame the platform when consociality is low; this is especially true when platform intermediation is high. Moreover, partial refunds are a more effective service recovery strategy than apologies when intermediation is low (i.e. enablers). However, when intermediation is high (i.e. hubs), partial refunds are no more effective than apologies. These findings carry important implications for managers of lateral exchange platforms when facing service failures in knowing when consumers attribute the most blame to platforms and how to best retain patrons without unduly compromising profitability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, environment and consumer interactions are rapidly changing due to digital technologies and digital media marketing. The introduction of new digital technologies and the complexity it has brought about has led to a change in the old marketing paradigm. Traditional consumer dynamics have evolved drastically with innovative ways to interact, communicate and connect with consumers supported by digital technologies. With the progression of new age digital marketing mediums communication practices have transformed and consumers have become empowered, which has led to a shift in the balance of power towards consumers. Consumer empowerment is considered as an integrated factor which promotes adoption of digital media as it allows a consumer to communicate and share views with others. With the increased user-generated content available online, there has been a shift of power from practitioners to consumers and as such it is an important factor in the adoption of digital media. This paper applied a semi-systematic comparative literature review about the elements of digital media that lead to consumer empowerment in the context of Pakistan, and compared them with China, South Korea, and Mexico, which are the highest spending countries in digital advertising in 2021. It was found that in comparison with China and South Korea, Pakistani and Mexican brands and organizations were not well equipped to meet the multifaceted challenges of digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Following a negative service experience, existing studies assert that consumers attribute blame either internally (self-blame) or externally (other-blame) with little indication that the attribution ever changes. This study explores blame to discover whether there are changes in attribution, specifically whether it may shift from self to other. Analysing qualitative data from borrowers in the payday lending market using I-/They-poems, this study finds firstly that blame oscillates between self and other and, secondly, that payday borrowers practice counterfactual thinking to alleviate negative emotions, which in turn prompts this blame oscillation. In revealing that blame attribution can act as a pendulum oscillating between self and other, this study makes a critical advance to existing blame research. The study also supports previous studies in I-/They-poems in uncovering novel insights into consumer theory. Evidence also emerges that the neoliberal view of the 'empowered consumer' interacts with the more traditional, organisation-oriented perspective, as from a consumer behaviour perspective, the attempts to improve psychological well-being and the oscillation of blame contribute to shifts in the perceived power in the loan market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer research has posited an ambivalent role of choice in consumer empowerment, from liberating and including to disciplining and totalising. This article provides empirical evidence for this ambivalence and nuances how consumers navigate the liminal space between expert authority and consumer autonomy. We investigate the role of choice in consumer empowerment through an ethnographic study of medicine consumption practices in acute non-life-threatening situations in Denmark, finding these practices to be dominated by consumer choice, not only for over-the-counter but, interestingly, also for prescription-only medicine. The implications of these findings extend beyond the context of medicine consumption. First, we provide insights on the ambivalent role of choice in consumer empowerment in a complex context of mixed commercial and public agencies. Second, we demonstrate how online information access empowers consumers to resist expert authority and act autonomously. Third, we exemplify the processes by which globalisation and ideologies inform and shape consumer resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]