This article explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots for creating positive change by supporting customers in the digital realm. Our study, which focuses on the customer and his/her declarative psychological responses to an interaction with a virtual assistant, will fill a gap in the digital marketing research, where little attention has been paid to the impact of Error and Gender, as well as the extent to which Social Presence and Perceived Competence mediate the relationships between Anthropomorphic design cues and Trust. We provide consistent evidence of the significant negative effect of erroneous conversational interfaces on several constructs considered in our conceptual model, such as: perceived competence, trust, as well as positive consumer responses. We also provide support to previous research findings and confirm that people employ a biased thinking across gender and this categorization also influences their acceptance of chatbots taking social roles. The results of an empirical study demonstrated that highly anthropomorphized female chatbots that engage in social behaviors are significantly shaping positive consumer responses, even in the error condition. Moreover, female virtual assistants are much more commonly forgiven when committing errors compared to male chatbots.

Against a backdrop of globalization, dynamic shifts in consumer demand, and climate change impact, the intricacies of agri-food supply chains have become increasingly convoluted, necessitating innovative measures to guarantee agri-food security and authenticity. Blockchain technology emerges as a promising solution, offering transparency, immutability, traceability, and efficiency in the overall supply chain. This study aims to investigate determinants impacting both the intention to use and the actual usage of blockchain-driven agri-food supply chain platforms. To achieve this, an expanded and adapted conceptual model rooted in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was formulated and empirically examined through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling using data from 175 respondents from agri-food companies across eight European countries. Agri-Food Supply Chain Partner Preparedness (FSCPP) emerged as the pivotal factor with the highest degree of influence on the intention to use blockchain-driven supply chain platforms. Additionally, the results from this study offer support for the significant influence of Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), and Perceived Trust (PT) on usage intention, while also revealing the positive impact of Organizational Blockchain Readiness (OBR) on expected Usage Behavior (UB). This study provides significant insights into blockchain adoption within agri-food supply chains, contributing to the existing literature through an extended UTAUT framework.

The emergence of blockchain technology has captured considerable interest across various industries due to its ability to revolutionize traditional systems by ensuring enhanced security, transparency, traceability and efficiency. More recently, the higher education sector has begun exploring the adoption of blockchain technology, acknowledging its potential to transform multiple facets of the educational landscape, including academic administration, the learning and teaching process, and academic research. The primary goal of this study is to ascertain the factors that influence individuals' behavioral intention to adopt and use blockchain-based educational platforms. Moreover, the research aims to underscore the pivotal role played by educational leadership in advancing the adoption of blockchain technology within higher education institutions. Blockchain technology is recognized as a cutting-edge solution that has the potential to streamline processes, reduce costs, and foster trust within the educational ecosystem. A novel conceptual model based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was developed and tested for the purpose of this study. Data was gathered from 175 respondents across eight European countries through a structural questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to examine the hypotheses of the model. The study unveils perceived trust as the primary determinant influencing the behavioral intention to use blockchain-based educational solutions, underscoring its pivotal role in embracing innovative technologies by instilling confidence and reducing uncertainty among users. Furthermore, educational partner readiness, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy also have a positive impact on the usage intention. Additionally, the results also highlight the significance of leadership blockchain readiness in shaping the actual usage behavior. The findings offer valuable insights into the adoption of blockchain technology in higher education. Also, the study extends previous research by utilizing an extended UTAUT framework, and it contributes to the emerging literature on blockchain implementation and technology acceptance models.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent a fundamental pillar of economic development in Eastern Europe. Yet, they frequently encounter significant obstacles in accessing financing, stemming from informational asymmetries, elevated risks, the absence of collateral, and adverse regulatory environments. This research examines the primary determinants of adopting blockchain-based supply chain financing platforms, an alternative financing solution that streamlines processes, reduces costs, and enhances transparency and security. The study develops and validates an innovative conceptual model grounded in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 200 respondents across seven Eastern European countries, and the model’s hypotheses were tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The research findings demonstrate that supply chain partner readiness constitutes the most influential factor affecting behavioral intention to use blockchain-based supply chain financing platforms. Additionally, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and perceived trust were identified as significant positive determinants. Furthermore, the study highlights blockchain readiness as a crucial factor influencing actual usage behavior. These findings provide valuable insights and contribute to advancing knowledge through the utilization of an extended UTAUT framework and validation of obtained results through comparison with other relevant studies in the field.

The success of an organization, the ability to adapt to economic variables and maintain an upward trajectory are determined largely by the quality of its leaders.