It is challenging to forecast total sales of short life-cycle products due to a lack of historical sales data. Multi-source information combination methods make it possible to depict different kinds of characteristics and features, given a limited volume of samples. Evidence theory is a common approach used for multi-source combinations. This paper proposes a new method, named ‘Multi-Evidence Dynamic Weighted Combination Forecasting (MEDWCF)’, based on improvements in the application of Evidence theory. Two kinds of machine learning methods are used to solve the basic probability assignment generation problem pertaining to Evidence theory, so a dynamic update combination algorithm is proposed. These innovations improve the classical one-step static combination rules. Samples of 313 films launched within 2016 and 2017 proved that compared with other forecasting methods, MEDWCF has more effectiveness and better generalisation ability. Effective product sales forecast by MEDWCF may help managers make correct decisions in manufacturing and marketing before the product launched.

The social distancing due to the Covid-19 epidemic has disturbed all sectors of society, including education. To maintain normal operations, it is necessary to adapt quickly to this situation. Many technologies and platforms have rushed to offer their support to users. This article adopts a critical perspective to reflect on the factors that may cause the hasty adoption of 5G smart learning technology. To investigate students' intentions toward smart learning, this article provides a theoretical framework premised on the technology acceptance model (TAM) by adding components from the social practise theory (SPT). Based on data analysis through Structural equation Modeling (SEM) of a survey (n = 375) conducted in China, we found that the choice of 5G smart-learning technology depends on the combined effect of Material (MAA), Meanings (MEA), and Competency access (COA) factors. The results illustrate that these are the effective factors for student’s intentions to adopt 5G smart-learning technology. These outcomes are intended to aid service providers and decision-makers in developing effective ways to increase smart learning use. These findings can also enable us to identify challenges affecting smart learning adoption and to contribute to the design and proper supply of smart learning programs in other countries.

This research aims at combined and relative effect levels on anxiety of: (1) perceived risk, knowledge, optimism, pessimism, and social trust; and (2) four sub-variables of social trust among inhabitants concerning living on heavy metal contaminated soil. On the basis of survey data from 499 Chinese respondents, results suggest that perceived risk, pessimism, optimism, and social trust have individual, significant, and direct effects on anxiety, while knowledge does not. Knowledge has significant, combined, and interactive effects on anxiety together with social trust and pessimism, respectively, but does not with perceived risk and optimism. Social trust, perceived risk, pessimism, knowledge, and optimism have significantly combined effects on anxiety; the five variables as a whole have stronger predictive values than each one individually. Anxiety is influenced firstly by social trust and secondly by perceived risk, pessimism, knowledge, and optimism. Each of four sub-variables of social trust has an individual, significant, and negative effect on anxiety. When introducing four sub-variables into one model, trust in social organizations and in the government have significantly combined effects on anxiety, while trust in experts and in friends and relatives do not; anxiety is influenced firstly by trust in social organization, and secondly by trust in the government.

Purpose: Virtual idols have entered the golden period as the main form of future digital people. However, existing studies only focus on a single idol type and partial role relationships related to virtual idols, lacking synthesized insights. To address these gaps, this paper summarizes different types of virtual idols and all role relationships to achieve a comprehensive literature review. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the business ecosystem theory, this paper constructs a business role ecosystem framework for virtual idols from the two subsystems of value co-creation and value realization. Findings: Firstly, we extract common characteristics and the generalized definition applicable to diverse idol types. Secondly, we find that there are commonalities and differences in the significant characteristics of virtual idols in different application fields. Thirdly, literature in the value co-creation subsystem mainly focuses on co-creation mechanisms in the role relationship between idols and demanders (RRID). A few focus on virtual idols’ constructions in the role relationship between producers and idols (RRPI) and co-creation phenomena in the role relationship between demanders and producers (RRDP). Finally, literature in the value realization subsystem mainly focuses on consumer attitudes and realization mechanisms in RRID. A few focus on realization phenomena in the role relationship between producers and tripartite enterprises (RRPT) and RRPI. Practical implications: This paper points out future implementing directions of industry practitioners, gives strategies to promote economic value realizations and emphasizes the importance of cultural communication. Originality/value: This paper discusses the existing theoretical gaps and possible future research directions regarding characteristics, applications and role relationships.

Consumer innovativeness is a significant personality attribute that refers to a person’s proclivity to acquire and utilize new items more rapidly and frequently than others. Although previous research has revealed a relationship between consumer innovativeness and the intention to buy new technology products, little is known about the determinants such as visibility and guidance affordances, environmental awareness, and safety concerns that underpin this relationship. Using the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory through the PLS-SEM approach, this study analyzed the data of 341 Chinese consumers to explore the prospects mentioned above. The empirical results show that visibility and guidance affordances encourage consumer innovativeness. The results further reveal that environmental awareness and product safety concerns mediate the consumer innovativeness and purchase intention relationship. This model will contribute to the literature by improving predictive ability over previous models. Therefore, managers and policy-makers who wish to make constructive changes in the intentions of technology consumers are encouraged to ruminate on the extrapolations of this article.