J. Mack

Bio: J. Mack is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: The Internet & Empirical research. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publications receiving 67 citations.

The Power of Many: An Assessment of Managing Internet Group Purchasing

Abstract: This article introduces Internet group purchasing (IGP) as a novel e-commerce phenomenon. Drawing on collective cognition and other relevant theories, we investigate the management of IGP by analyzing the four stages of IGP: (1) information accumulation, (2) interaction, (3) examination, and (4) accommodation. Netnographic methods were employed to collect qualitative data from eleven online group purchasing websites selected from hundreds of possible study websites. Analysis of the four stages of IGP lends support to the group-level cognition theory and makes contributions to collective cognition theory, especially as how it can be applied to the e-commerce context. It also situates group purchasing within the phenomenon of social networking marketing and discusses the symbiosis between IGP and businesses goals. Findings can help e-commerce practitioners to better understand online consumers and the manner in which they organize Internet group purchasing using social media. The research also provides managerial implications and directions for future research.

Strategic Dependence on the IT Resource: A Test of the Strategic Control Model

Abstract: Using resource dependency theory (RDT), this study analyzes how organizations control their information technology resources to improve organizational performance. According to RDT, organizations must manage their dependency on external organizations and limit external dependencies when resources are considered critical. The current study proposes and tests a Strategic Control Model positing that managers seek to control important, strategic resources in order to create value for the firm and to avoid dependency on external entities. Utilizing a research design that captured extensive quantitative data on the control of IT functions and services, the research team gathered five years of data on 54 business units in 27 global companies located in seven countries. For data analysis purposes, the managers in these firms reported on several hundred different IT decisions. Firms with strategic investments in IT tend to locate control of their IT resources inside the firm. Locating the locus of control within the firm in cases where the firm depends on IT as a strategic resource proves to be a good explanation for effective decisions leading to higher performance. Viewing IT as a strategic resource alone does not lead to positive business unit outcomes, but the moderating influence of locus of control is found to establish the complex statistical relationship with business unit performance. For these reasons, it is critical that a theoretically-grounded firm-wide process for decisions on locating IT control is in place to capture business value.

THE IMPACT OF FORMAL CONTROLS AND RELATIONAL GOVERNANCE ON TRUST IN CROWDSOURCING MARKETPLACE : AN EMPIRICAL STUDY Research-in-Progress

Abstract: Information system research has examined client-vendor trust relationship and governance structures in outsourcing context. Extending the complementary relationship between formal controls and relational governance, this study investigates how formal controls and relational governance influence trust in a crowdsourcing marketplace setting. Furthermore, to combine data from both vendor and client, the paper adopts the method of degree-symmetric value for construct conceptualization measurement, and data analysis. This helps us to understand trust in the CM setting, as opposed to a single sided perspective. The research model will be validated and tested using a field study with matched client-vendor samples from zhubajie.com, a leading crowdsourcing marketplace in China. Contributions are intended to shed light on the phenomenon of crowdsourcing, especially, trust relationships among clients, vendors, and crowdsourcing marketplace.

Interactive home shopping: Consumer, retailer, and manufacturer incentives to participate in

Abstract: The authors examine the implications of electronic shopping for consumers, retailers, and manufacturers. They assume that near-term technological developments will offer consumers unparalleled opportunities to locate and compare product offerings. They examine these advantages as a function of typical consumer goals and the types of products and services being sought and offer conclusions regarding consumer incentives and disincentives to purchase through interactive home shopping vis-à-vis traditional retail formats. The authors discuss implications for industry structure as they pertain to competition among retailers, competition among manufacturers, and retailer-manufacturer relationships.

Understanding online shopping intention: the roles of four types of trust and their antecedents

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a better picture of factors influencing behavioral decisions in online shopping by identifying different targets of trust and discussing their antecedents and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Online survey data from 242 ihergo members were used to test the proposed model, and structural equation modeling with partial least squares was performed to analyze the measurement and structural models. Findings – The findings show that the four types of trust identified in this study are critical determinants of perceived risk and attitude. In addition, the majority of the antecedents are found to be associated with their respective types of trust. Research limitations/implications – The research extends the theory of reasoned action and prior research to discuss four types of consumer trust, as well as their respective antecedents and subsequent consequences. The result is a more descriptive model that better explicates consumers’ decision-making processes in online shopping. Practical implications – Given the intense competition between online shopping sites, web site managers should strive to provide a safe and user-friendly shopping environment. In addition, the vendor can enhance trust by encouraging satisfied customers to provide positive endorsements. Originality/value – This study is possibly the first of its kind, in identifying the four types of trust and their respective antecedents in the context of an online group-buying auction, and thus serves to enrich the existing literature concerning trust-building factors.

Netnography: Range of Practices, Misperceptions, and Missed Opportunities

Abstract: This is the first article to describe how broadening of the term netnography in qualitative research is leading to misperceptions and missed opportunities. The once accepted need for human presence...

Social commerce—state-of-the-art and future research directions

Abstract: In recent years, social commerce evolved into an emerging phenomenon of global interest for marketers, businesses, and researchers alike. In light of this development, it is not surprising that the number of publications focusing on this phenomenon at the interplay of electronic commerce and social media has been rising substantially. The goal of this paper is to provide a structured overview of social commerce research by means of a structured literature review. Based on our literature search between 2007 and 2014 resulting in 116 published papers, we carve out and assess the knowledge and the research areas that have been predominantly addressed by the Information Systems, Electronic Commerce, and Marketing research community so far. By providing a research agenda, we hope that our results will stimulate and guide future research in this exciting field.