Blockchain Papers

Sergej Gričar, Violeta Šugar, Tea Baldigara, Raffaella Folgieri

With the emergence of the metaverse, countries’ digital efforts to create tourism opportunities have given rise to the possibility of capitalising on digital content which, along with physical tourism experiences, can generate further income and enhance a country’s reputation. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), a unique application of blockchain technology, offer an enabling technology in several sectors, including tourism. Therefore, this study aims to explore the official tourism websites of Croatia and Slovenia and analyse current NFT applications in tourism economics. The methodology focuses explicitly on sentiment analysis, blockchain and machine learning. The paper introduces various applications currently in place, including Slovenia’s “I Feel Nft” project. The research shows that the main benefits of using NFT and sentiment analysis in the tourism economy are the promotion and presentation of major tourist destinations, exhibitions, works of art, and companies’ products in tokens, digital content and souvenirs. The adoption of sentiment analysis and NFTs in the tourism economy is still open to proposals for implementing public quantitative data metrics. Therefore, the scientific contribution of this research is essential in terms of operational recommendations and defining metrics for measuring the effectiveness of those methodologies and their applications in the tourism economy. On top of that, the practical contribution lies in monitoring the influx of tourists, and highlighting their increase over time and the significance of new technology in time series tourism research.

Nattapong Robkob, Sumaman Pankham

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of social media on perceptions and investment intentions regarding cryptocurrency, using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Theoretical Reference: The theoretical framework for this study is based on the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) for gathering expert feedback and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for understanding the acceptance of technology. Method: The method involved collecting responses using a 7-point Likert scale and a panel of eight experts who reviewed and approved the survey items. The data were analyzed using triangular fuzzy numbering and defuzzification to determine the ranking of each variable. Results and Conclusion: The study found a high level of consensus among experts, with defuzzification values exceeding the α-cut >.5, and the overall threshold value (d) was less than .2, which is within the required threshold for percent consensus of over 75%. All 60 recommended items were deemed suitable for inclusion in a large-scale survey. Implications of Research: The research implies that there is a strong agreement among experts on the factors influencing the perceptions and investment intentions towards cryptocurrency as mediated by social media. This consensus can be used to inform a larger-scale survey and potentially guide investment and marketing strategies in the cryptocurrency domain. Originality/Value: The originality of this research lies in its application of the Fuzzy Delphi Method to the field of cryptocurrency and its combination with the Technology Acceptance Model to understand investment intentions influenced by social media. The value is in providing a methodologically sound basis for further large-scale research and offering insights into expert consensus on the topic.

Tianqi Huang

With the development of digital technology, the fashion industry has also begun a digital transformation. Non-Fungible Token (NFT) clothing, as a new fashion trend, has always been a new direction pursued by brands. At the same time, the main group of consumers is also gradually shifting from the previous Generation Y to Generation Z. Generation Z is the future consumption potential group, they deserve brands to adjust their consumption strategies. By exploring the consumption behaviour of Generation Z and its attitude towards virtual fashion, this paper analyzed the fitness between NFT clothing and Generation Z. And it used the literature analysis method to analyze and summarize the papers related to virtual fashion, NFT clothing and the consumption view of Generation Z. Based on the result, it can be seen that the characteristics of NFT clothing are in line with the consumption psychology of Generation Z. Although NFT clothing is still in its early stage, it can be predicted that Generation Z will be the main consumer group of virtual fashion in the future based on their interest in virtual fashion. The future of brands focusing on NFT clothing is bright. By studying Generation Z consumption psychology, this paper hopes to contribute to brand marketing strategy for the future.

Nwamaka A. Anaza, Bhaskar Upadhyaya, Delancy Bennett, Cecilia Ruvalcaba

Abstract Why do consumers invest in cryptocurrency despite its sharp increases and decreases in value? While it seems rational that such volatility should increase consumers' fear of investment, we posit that the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the possible positive returns negates such. Further, this study explores the impact that consumers personality traits, using the big five model, has on FOMO when predicting consumers purchase intentions of cryptocurrencies. Additionally, while consumer behaviorists theorize that information search is an important aspect of the consumer decision making process, marketers have yet to integrate consumers degree of cryptocurrency knowledge as a conditional factor that influences their cryptocurrency purchase behavior. Grounded in trait and prospect theory, we employ a repeated cross‐sectional sampling design to investigate these relationships in a bear and bull market. An analysis of the data from 444 and 250 respondents suggests that FOMO predicts the likelihood of investing in cryptocurrencies for certain personality traits. The findings of this study are novel as we observe that FOMO is a driving force behind cryptocurrency's consumption for agreeable and neurotic consumers. However, FOMO negatively mediates cryptocurrency investment likelihood for consumers with high openness to experience and conscientiousness in a bear market, but not in a bull market.

Marius Arved Fortagne, Bettina Lis

Abstract Disrupting the concept of ownership in the digital space, non‐fungible tokens (NFTs) have created unprecedented market opportunities and captivated millions of investors. Characterized by artificial scarcity and ensured authenticity, the technical implementation establishes novel parameters for digital ownership and collecting, underscoring a research gap where the determinants of consumer behavior are yet to be studied. This paper presents a research model based on the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response (SOR) model to investigate consumers' purchase intention of NFT‐based collectibles (NFTC) for the first time. To develop our model, we identified distinctive NFTC features (functionality, scarcity, aesthetics, and price value) and blockchain characteristics (security and privacy) affecting the utilitarian and hedonic attitude towards NFTC and finally shape NFTC purchase intention. For empirical validation, we conducted an online survey among an NFT‐interested target group ( N = 356) and analyzed the results by structural equation modeling with SPSS Amos. Findings indicate that the utilitarian attitude toward NFTC is affected by perceived functionality and price value from the product side, and perceived blockchain security and privacy from the technology side. The hedonistic attitude toward NFTC is shaped by perceived functionality, scarcity, and aesthetics. Both attitudes, utilitarian and hedonistic, demonstrate a significant impact on purchase intention. A subsequent mediation analysis confirms that NFTC and blockchain characteristics have an indirect effect on purchase intention. In the under‐investigated interface of blockchain technology, digital ownership, and consumer behavior, this work enriches the digital ownership discourse by demonstrating how NFTC create consumer value through product and technology features.

Mujahid Mohiuddin Babu, Tom Bason, Rocco Porreca, Pythagoras Petratos · 5 authors

Abstract This research investigates the extent to which sponsorships can be utilised to foster trust and reduce barriers to adopting new technologies. Using Crypto.com's sponsorship of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the context, this mixed‐methods study utilises innovation resistance theory (IRT) and trust transfer theory (TTT) to investigate the extent to which such a sponsorship can increase trust and reduce barriers in innovative technologies such as cryptoassets, while also filling a research gap concerning consumer resistance to innovations in digital financial products and services. The findings of study 1, using a survey ( n = 1081), and study 2 using interviews ( n = 24) reveal that a positive image of sponsorship significantly influences favourability and interest, and trust of the product of the sponsor which subsequently reduces psychological barriers to adoption. Integrating the theoretical viewpoints of IRT and TTT, this study enhances our conceptual understanding regarding the psychological dimension of sponsorship and the extent to which a sponsorship generates interest, giving assurance and trust in the sponsor's product, and removing uncertainty; thus, reducing barriers to adoption.

Aniruddha Pangarkar, Paurav Shukla

Conspicuous and inconspicuous consumption of luxury goods in a digital world: implications for advertisers this special issue focuses on the very intriguing types of luxury consumption that are shaping industry paradigms and trends, especially given the digital marketing revolution that is impacting the way luxury firms create and implement strategies to engage customers and drive sales.luxury brands communicate style, exclusivity, identity, uniqueness, superior quality, and hedonic value, all of which signal status to extended networks (Shukla and Purani 2012;Pangarkar, Patel, and Kumar 2023).While recent events, such as the CoVid-19 pandemic and the economic recession have impacted economic conditions, as per a Euromonitor international report, the luxury industry continued its impressive growth to reach USd 1.2 trillion in 2022, with a steady growth rate of around 6% (roberts 2022).according to a Kearney (2022), Chinese luxury consumers were at the forefront of this recovery, followed by US and German consumers, which led to many luxury brands such as Kering, lVMH, and Herms experiencing resurgence after a temporary setback.Most luxury brands were skeptical initially as the digital landscape started evolving and social media surge transformations were observed (Heine and Berghaus 2014).However, through being flexible and adaptive, luxury brands have employed a number of most advanced digital tools and techniques to target, attract, engage, and retain customers through digital marketing strategies and technologies such as phygital, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, influencer advertising, and non-fungible tokens (NFts).For instance, Gucci has created a virtual world on roblox, a popular game among young generation and also develop Gucci Vault which is an experimental online concept space that holds its NFts and other Web3 projects.Similarly, Balenciaga, made a pioneering move by unveiling their 2020 collection through a video game fashion show and dressed Fortnite game characters in the new Fall 2021 collection, which demonstrates their readiness to adopt themselves in the metaverse.against the backdrop of this digital marketing revolution, luxury advertisers need to create, adapt, and introduce innovative new strategies targeted at the various segments of luxury consumers.While luxury has long been associated with conspicuous consumption reflecting ostentatious behavior targeted at earning social recognition and signaling of wealth (Shukla 2012;Pangarkar, arora, and Shukla 2022), there are other types of consumers, such as inconspicuous consumption consumers (Berger and Ward 2010) and inconspicuous minimalism consumers (Pangarkar, Shukla, and taylor 2021) that are rapidly gaining attention, experiencing growth, and therefore warranting further exploration.in particular, the focus of such luxury consumers is on muted designs, subtle logos, discreet styles and fashions, and simple cuts, all of which signal distinction and differentiation to insiders or those in the know (Han, Nunes, and drze 2010; Pangarkar, Shukla, and taylor 2021).While luxury scholars have conducted research in these areas, it is important to explore, investigate, and analyze the impact of these different types of consumption on

Ali Dalgıç, Emre Yaşar, Ayşegül DEMİRCİOĞLU

This study investigates the effect of egoistic and altruistic value orientations on behavioural intentions, and the mediating effect of attitude on the effects of these two value orientations, in relation to (non-fungible tokens) Non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Hotels in Turkey that offer NFTs to their customers as a marketing strategy tool were asked to evaluate the values, attitudes, and behavioural intentions of individuals who watch online broadcasts and know about NFTs. The participants were selected by convenience sampling and the data collected via an online questionnaire form. Of the 454 questionnaires were obtained, 406 were used to test the study’s hypotheses, following sling analysis and multiple normal distribution analysis. The results showed that egoistic and altruistic values have positive effects on attitude and behavioural intention while attitude also has a positive effect on behavioural intention. Finally, attitude partially mediates the effect of egoistic and altruistic values on behavioural intention. These findings suggest that hotels can increase their customers’ intention to prefer them through using NFTs as a marketing strategy tool.

Eunyoung Sung, Ohbyung Kwon, Kwonsang Sohn

Abstract Industry 4.0 technology enables luxury fashion brands in the virtual market to quantify the value of digital items in the metaverse; thus, brands can maintain their reputations, ensure consistent and integrated luxury brand marketing, and attract new consumers in the virtual market. Understanding consumer behavior toward buying digital assets (i.e., nonfungible tokens [NFTs]) is important. By using blockchain‐based NFTs as a way to verify the authenticity of digital assets in the virtual market, luxury brands can maintain their reputations and help consumers protect their digital assets. Thus, developing global marketing strategies supported by this technology is important for the success of luxury fashion brands in the metaverse. We conducted analyses to explore consumer behavior in the metaverse with regard to blockchain‐based luxury NFTs. The findings reveal the psychological evaluation process as a mechanism that drives consumer behavior toward NFT luxury brand fashion items in global virtual markets. The empirical findings also extend the application of game theory and prospect theory by revealing the psychological evaluation of risks associated with (not) buying luxury fashion NFTs as another mechanism driving consumer behavior in the metaverse.

Dinesh Kumar, Tavleen Kaur, Sakshi Bajaj, Manmeet Singh Juneja

This chapter examines the marketing trends and strategies used in the cryptocurrency industry. A qualitative research design was used, with case studies of five cryptocurrency firms as the primary data source. Secondary data sources such as websites, social media accounts, articles, and blogs were also analyzed. The study found that content marketing, social media marketing, and influencer marketing are the industry's most commonly used marketing strategies. Community building and brand reputation were also found to be essential for the success of companies operating in the cryptocurrency industry. However, the study's limitations including the limited sample size, reliance on secondary data, the potential for researcher bias, and lack of triangulation should be considered when interpreting the findings. The insights gained from this study can inform the development of marketing strategies in the cryptocurrency industry and guide future research in this area.

Sebastian Schauman, Sharon K. Greene, Oskar Korkman

The global fashion industry is a trillion US dollar market and one of the most wasteful industries in the world. Digital fashion has the potential to decouple some crucial aspects of the fashion industry from their material requirements. Combined with the growing interest around the metaverse, non-fungible tokens, the rapid evolution of AR and VR technology, and the growing presence of major fashion brands in gaming, an understanding of the commercial feasibility of digital fashion is becoming increasingly relevant. In this article, we explore the commercial feasibility of digital fashion and expose a strategically significant alignment of digital substitutes with four emerging consumer expectations, i.e., excitement, utility, relatability, and circularity. Our research shows that these expectations are contingent on consumers’ increasingly sufficiency-oriented mindset and the modes of consumption this mindset generates. By developing what we call a ‘sufficiency-model’, this article provides companies with the heuristic tools necessary to gain future-looking and practical insight that helps them navigate this dematerialization of consumption and to identify long-term market opportunities within this area. Specifically, we offer eight implications that are designed to help companies take their first steps into this emerging space.

Dominika Bochańczyk-Kupka

The main aim of this article is to present and analyse changes in the global luxury goods market in the 21st century, with particular emphasis on the effects of the supply shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the part devoted to the period before the pandemic, the following market trends will be described: the democratisation of luxury, brand consolidation process, the emergence of Generation Alpha, the evolution of masstige goods relied on fast-fashion processes, "Chinese bulimia", market ”retailization” processes, the growing importance of mono-brand stores, rejection of online sales by European brands, e-commerce development, and growing environmental awareness. The article’s part, dedicated to the period of the pandemic and the changes immediately after it, presents trends such as the emergence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and gaming goods (metaverse gaming), the rebirth of the vintage market and secondhand stores, an increase in sales of casual goods, new multi-brand sales platforms, and the growing importance of local markets. The article is based on literature query and comparative analysis of industry reports prepared by Deloitte, Bain Company, and Luxe Digital.

Vikram Puri, Subhra R. Mondal, Subhankar Das, Vasiliki Vrana

Blockchain and immersive technology are the pioneers in bringing digitalization to tourism, and researchers worldwide are exploring many facets of these techniques. This paper analyzes the various aspects of blockchain technology and its potential use in tourism. We explore high-frequency keywords, perform network analysis of relevant publications to analyze patterns, and introduce machine learning techniques to facilitate systematic reviews. We focused on 94 publications from Web Science that dealt with blockchain implementation in tourism from 2017 to 2022. We used Vosviewer for network analysis and artificial intelligence models with the help of machine learning tools to predict the relevance of the work. Many reviewed articles mainly deal with blockchain in tourism and related terms such as smart tourism and crypto tourism. This study is the first attempt to use text analysis to improve the topic modeling of blockchain in tourism. It comprehensively analyzes the technology’s potential use in the hospitality, accommodation, and booking industry. In this context, the paper provides significant value to researchers by giving an insight into the trends and keyword patterns. Tourism still has many unexplored areas; journal articles should also feature special studies on this topic.

Sophie Berghueser, Martin Spann

No abstract is available for this record.

Giulia Ferrini, Sebastián Huber, Verena Batt

Abstract Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have witnessed unprecedented dynamism over the recent years with only few luxury brands experimenting with the technology albeit the very personal characteristics of NFT ownership. Little is known about how luxury brands use NFTs to develop their brand image and what opportunities luxury brands anticipate from NFTs as a new technology, digital product category or customer relationship channel. The present research note offers an applied research design to tackle these questions and systematically understand the potential of NFTs for personal luxury brands at large.

Paul Griffiths, Carlos J. Costa, Nuno Fernandes Crespo

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) represent a multibillion-dollar global market. While considerable speculation exists about the future utility of NFTs, there has been limited research into the consumer behaviors of market participants. This research paper examines the motivations of NFT buyers through the lens of self-determination theory. Using a sample of 482 participants, the authors tested a conceptual framework to better understand both NFT buyers’ intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. This study expands the literature on NFTs in three different ways: i) it is the first study, as far as we know, to focus exclusively on NFT buyers and their motivations in purchasing NFTs; ii) it explores a variety of potential motivations theorized in the literature; and iii) it tests the expected future value of NFTs as both a motivation and as a moderator for NFT buyers. The authors determined that intrinsic motivation had the most substantial effect on purchase intention, and the expectations of NFTs’ future value positively moderated the effect of amotivation on purchase intention. In contrast, high expectations of future value moderated the effect of external regulation on purchase intention. The results suggest that NFT buyers are not as impacted by potential social or monetary gain as often characterized in the academic literature but behave more like traditional buyers of luxury goods.

Reto Hofstetter, Martin P. Fritze, Cait Lamberton

Abstract Over the last half-century, consumer research has often depicted scarcity as a dominant factor increasing price. But should we assume that scarcity’s upward pressure on price remains intact, in a world where novel forms of digital products proliferate? In this article, we propose that blockchain-encrypted digital goods, in particular, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), offer good reason to revisit this assumption. In this context, we argue and find that social value can outweigh intrinsic value as a determinant of willingness-to-pay. As a result, when scarcity threatens access to high levels of social value, its effect on price can be negative rather than positive—an inversion of a pattern typically observed for offline collectibles. Secondary data taken from the NFT platform Opensea and a set of experimental studies support this social value-based lens. Given these findings, we propose a research agenda to ground future work in this area. We also suggest that NFTs offer a laboratory in which past theories related to social value, scarcity, and price can be reconsidered and future theories developed, hopefully allowing consumer researchers to lead knowledge development in these domains over the next 50 years.

Jinkyung Lee, Ki Han Kwon

Due to the endless epidemic, the world has moved to the metaverse world. To keep pace with the changes in the cosmetic market, research on customer experience using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) was conducted. This review study is an empirical analysis that focuses on introducing the safety of the metaverse world into cosmetics in the absence of customer experience in the cosmetic market due to the rapid transition to a non-face-to-face society in the COVID-19 pandemic. This review of consumer experience is a critical literature review. In this study, a technical review approach was used. Using the PRISMA flow chart, a total of 453 references were selected using representative journal search sites such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, RISS, and ResearchGate. Accordingly, a total of 28 papers were selected in the final stage from 2013 to 2022. This literature review focuses on the NFT cosmetics market, which expands the consumer experience into a fun experience by focusing on the sustainable safety of new consumer changes in the metaverse beauty market. This is an empirical analysis focused on the cosmetic consumer experience for the new launch of cosmetic brands using NFTs in the future beauty and cosmetology market. This narrative review article focuses on sustainable and safe experiences for beauty and cosmetics consumer experiences in the post-COVID-19 metaverse, NFTs in the metaverse, FUN for the MZ generation, and new consumer experiences. NFTs, which are a leading novel cultural and social phenomenon and utilize fun raffles in the sustainable and safe metaverse of the MZ generation that embodies the digital world, are a new era in the beauty market. Accordingly, by confirming the change, they are expected to be used as an important marketing material and strategy in the global metaverse cosmetological market for sustainable and safe spaces and consumer experiences.

Achilleas Boukis

Abstract The present study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the nature and sources of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) in the cryptocurrency market. Drawing on thirty-two semi-structured interviews with crypto investors in the UK, our findings reveal three main sources of CBBE for crypto brands (i.e. blockchain-based features, crypto brand identity, psychological factors). Also, we supply insights into how the nature and features of blockchain technology shape consumers’ attitude towards crypto brands. Our findings also reveal the key elements of cryptos’ brand identity (i.e. white papers, brand purpose, ICOs) as well as various psychological factors (i.e. psychological distance, escapism, curiosity) that shape consumer perceptions of crypto brands. Our work extends the cryptocurrency and branding literatures in identifying the main sources of CBBE in the crypto market.

Anatoli Colicev

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have registered tremendous growth in the past year, and their importance is expected to increase with the expected development of Web3. From a brand perspective, NFTs can be seen as representations of the brand components, such as the product, the logo, or the image. I argue that NFTs have immense potential to become standalone brand assets. I illustrate how this can be achieved by relating the brand's NFT strategies to the marketing funnel stages. Brands can turn into an NFT their physical products such as shoes, shirts, or art to attract brand awareness, generate cross-selling opportunities, and spark stronger perceived ownership of certain brand elements. Importantly, NFTs can allow brands to form a highly engaging brand community that can support the brand, blend online and offline product ownership, and potentially create a bond between the brand and consumers. These exciting possibilities generate a rich research agenda I present in this paper.

Horst Treiblmaier, Evgeny Gorbunov

The digital transformation of core marketing activities substantially impacts relations between consumers and companies. Novel technologies are usually complex, making their underlying functionality as well as the desirable and undesirable implications hard to grasp for ordinary consumers. Cryptocurrencies are a prominent yet controversial and poorly understood example of an innovation that may transform companies’ future marketing activities. In this study, we investigate how easily consumers’ attitudes toward cryptocurrencies can be shaped by splitting a convenience sample of 100 consumers into two equal groups and exposing them to true, but biased, information about cryptocurrencies (including market forecasts), respectively, highlighting either the advantages or disadvantages of the technology. We subsequently found a significant difference in the trust, security and risk perceptions between the two groups; specifically, more positive attitudes pertaining to trust, security, risk and financial gains prevailed in the group exposed to positively-skewed information, while perceptions regarding trust, risk and the sustainability of cryptocurrencies were weaker among the group exposed to negatively-skewed information. These findings reveal some important insights into how easily consumer attitudes toward new technologies can be shaped through the presentation of lopsided information and call for further in-depth research in this important yet under-researched field.

Geetika Jain, Sachin Kamble, Nelson Oly Ndubisi, Archana Shrivastava · 6 authors

No abstract is available for this record.

Annamma Joy, Ying Zhu, Camilo Peña, Myriam Brouard

Abstract Leading luxury brands have incorporated technologies to recreate brand images and reinvent consumer experience. The fashion industry is experiencing a historic transformation thanks to emerging technologies such as blockchain and non‐fungible tokens (NFTs) along with impactful technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and virtual reality (VR). With metaverse as a new social platform around the corner, academics and industry alike are querying how these new technologies might reshape luxury brands, reinvent consumer experience, and alter consumer behavior. This research charts new academic territory by investigating how newly evolved technologies affect the fashion industry. With practical examples of luxury brands, this article has theorized the irreversible trend of digital fashion: the attraction of NFT collectibles. It then proposes intriguing questions for scholars and practitioners to ponder, such as will young consumers, essentially living online, buy more fashion products in the digital world than in the real world? How can the fashion industry strategize for the coexistence of digital collections and physical goods?

Catarina Lemos, Ricardo F. Ramos, Sérgio Moro, Pedro Miguel Oliveira

The adoption of blockchain technology by companies can change the way they interact with stakeholders, redefining communication strategies and other marketing processes. In this study, we investigated the relevance of blockchain applications for marketing management from the perspective of marketing-related professionals. Answers about blockchain technology application in the marketing arena were collected from the social platform Quora. The data were analyzed through text mining and Spearman’s correlation coefficient to assess the degree of association, inherent intensity, and the association significance between the variables payments, supply chain, loyalty programs, digital marketing, credential management, and marketing management, using Quora-specific metrics, namely, upvotes, shares, and views. The results posit blockchain technology as being an asset for marketing, with greater relevance in supply chain and internal management among marketing operations. Professionals will be able to potentially improve internal management systems and marketing campaigns, which will enhance companies’ competitive advantage.