Purpose: The present research aims to identify the determinants for users' behavioral adoption of Blockchain, exploring the relationships among these variables and investigating whether the proposed model can provide a more comprehensive manner to understand the adoption of Blockchain technology.Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) approach and extends it with external constructs: “reduced cost” and “efficiency and security”. This paper used a quantitative and exploratory approach through the collection and analysis of data from a total of 108 Italian innovative SME. We have used the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach using SmartPLS for model evaluation.Findings: The results show that “efficiency and security” is an important driver of firms' decision-making process to adopt Blockchain. Moreover, the results show that perceived usefulness is a strong predictor of the intention to use Blockchain in business processes.Originality/value: This research advances the literature on technology adoption in business processes, focusing on a particular technology: Blockchain. The field has been strengthened by investigating the determinants of technology adoption, adding new perspectives; both reduced cost and efficiency, and security.
10 April 2025 in Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services
Purpose: The paper aims at investigating antecedents and predictors of consumers' buying and consumption processes within the Italian Solidarity Purchasing Groups (SPGs) to enrich current debate about drivers and levers on which act for fostering ethical consumption in food sector.Design/methodology/approach: Building upon the theory of planned behavior (TPB) a theoretical model is proposed for depicting possible antecedents and predictors of consumers' buying and consumption processes in food sector. The validity of the model has been tested via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS for analyzing primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 354 consumers engaged in SPGs.Findings: Within the domain of food buying and consumptions through SPGS, results show that consumers' behavior intention (BI) is influenced by consumers' attitude (ATT) and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Moreover, the research also demonstrates that consumers' ATT is influenced by consumers' ethical self-identity (ETH), consumers' willingness to support local economy (SLE), and food safety concern (FSC).Originality/value: The study contributes to the ongoing debate on sustainable consumerism focusing the attention on SPGs as emerging social organizations inspired by ethical food consumption. Both theoretical development and empirical evidences enrich current knowledge about drivers and levers on which act for fostering ethical consumption in food sector.
Purpose: The study explores the drivers of the intention to continue using sustainable food delivery services, considering the influence of value, satisfaction and the combined effects of utilitarian and hedonic motives. We employ a comprehensive framework that integrates the norm activation model (NAM) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB), with satisfaction, utilitarian motives and hedonic motives. This approach facilitates a deeper understanding of the factors motivating users to remain loyal to the service.Design/methodology/approach: The study examines the data using a quantitative approach based on the partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).Findings: The findings suggest that the intention to continue using sustainable food delivery services, such as the Giusta app, is significantly influenced by user satisfaction and attitudes. Attitudes not only influence the intention but also user satisfaction and are shaped by utilitarian motivations associated with sustainable food delivery. Beyond personal expectations and perceived benefits, the study reveals that behavior is also driven by altruistic values and moral convictions. Specifically, attitudes and satisfaction are positively affected by personal norms, which are influenced by ascribed responsibility. This ascribed responsibility is, in turn, shaped by awareness of both environmental and social issues.Originality/value: This research contributes to the current debate on consumers' ethical behavior in food delivery. Only a few studies have integrated the NAM and TPB models in this context. This article highlights the factors useful in predicting people’s choice of food delivery services, showing the key role of personal norms, attitude, satisfaction and utilitarian motives.
This study presents a systematic review of new product development (NPD) in the textile and fashion industry, conducted through bibliometric techniques and thematic synthesis under the PRISMA 2020 protocol. By combining performance analysis, science mapping, and qualitative coding, the research aims to clarify how the literature has addressed sustainability in relation to new product design and innovation, with specific attention to the evolution of research streams, the barriers and enablers of circular business models, and the role of consumer engagement and digital technologies in fostering trust, transparency, and process innovation. The findings reveal three major trajectories: (i) growing attention to consumer engagement and communication strategies to enhance awareness and trust; (ii) increasing diffusion of circular business models, still challenged by internal resistance and systemic constraints; and (iii) the expanding use of digital technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, to enable traceability, reuse, and innovation in production and distribution. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive framework that integrates communication, circular economy, and digitalization, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for aligning sustainability objectives with product innovation strategies.
20 November 2025 in Business Strategy and the Environment
The study examines whether circular economy (CE) disclosures lead to tangible environmental improvements reflected in ESG performance or primarily serve reputational objectives linked to greenwashing. It investigates how disclosures on energy efficiency, resource reduction, water efficiency, and emission reduction influence ESG performance and whether external audits enhance disclosure credibility. Using a quantitative design, the analysis covers 1247 European firms (2015–2024) with data from Thomson Reuters, sustainability reports, and Orbis. Multiple regression models assess the relationship between CE disclosures and ESG performance, considering the moderating role of external audits. CE disclosures are positively associated with ESG performance, with energy efficiency and resource reduction showing the strongest effects. Water and emission disclosures also yield positive impacts, though the former is weakened when paired with external audits. Overall, external audits are positively related to ESG performance and strengthen the effect of energy and emission disclosures but may reduce the effectiveness of water‐related disclosures, highlighting the need for context‐specific assurance strategies. This study contributes to the debate on greenwashing by showing that external verification can strengthen the effectiveness of CE disclosures in improving ESG performance. It underscores the importance of transparent and verifiable reporting for corporate governance, investment decisions, and policy frameworks promoting genuine environmental progress.