COVID-19 has caused dramatic effects on the world economy, business activities, and people. But digitization is also helping many companies to adapt and overcome the current situation caused by COVID-19. The growth in the use of technology in the daily lives of people and companies to face this exceptional situation is an evidence of the digital acceleration process. This exploratory study analyzes the impact of digital transformation processes in three business areas: labor and social relations, marketing and sales, and technology. The impact of digitalization is expected to be transversal to each area and will encourage the emergence of new digital products and services based on the principle of flexibility. Additionally, new ways of working will foster the demand for new talent regardless of people's geographical location. Moreover, cybersecurity and privacy will become two key elements that will support the integrated development of the Internet of Things technology solutions, artificial intelligence, big data, and robotics.

This paper aims to study the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on brand image and brand equity and its impact on consumer satisfaction. The study follows a quantitative methodology, using the implementation of an online questionnaire distributed to people who bought, during the pandemic, a product that used a CSR action. Subsequently, data were analyzed through Smart PLS, following the Structural Equation Model. It was possible to conclude that the CSR initiatives positively affect consumer satisfaction through the mediating effect of brand image and brand equity. Further, brand image and brand equity improve when companies use CSR initiatives, and, despite what previous research has concluded, consumer satisfaction is not affected directly when CSR initiatives are used. This research has also showed that CSR’s impact on brand image is higher for men, and CSR initiatives’ impact on brand equity is also higher for regular purchase consumers.

Purpose: This short communication aims to explore and synthesize the main effects of COVID-19 on the labor market in Portugal regarding the dimensions related to job security and unemployment.Design/methodology/approach: Field research is used to identify and understand the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to the labor market in Portugal. Data from the National Institute of Statistics of Portugal are analyzed and compared with artifacts published in the field, which allow us to explore the impact of this phenomenon from multiple perspectives.Findings: The findings indicate that the impact on the labor market is very asymmetric regarding geographical regions, sectors of activity, age groups and the nature of labor ties. The most touristic regions and those with a strong dependence on the exterior are the most affected. Young people and women with unstable employment relationships and in temporary work situations are also particularly vulnerable.Originality/value: This study focuses on an emerging area with a strong impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market. This study seeks both to identify challenges in the Portuguese labor market and to discuss measures that should be taken to mitigate their effects, such as reforming the social security model, the role of teleworking or the more balanced development of the territory.

This study aimed to identify the constructs related to customer experience that underpin e-commerce, as well as their interconnections, to develop a comprehensive conceptual model based on theories-in-use. A quantitative approach was employed through a survey of 441 respondents. Data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The research findings revealed that there are a total of 11 constructs: customer experience, customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, word-of-mouth, trust, perceived risk, security and privacy, web content, perceived price, perceived value, and service quality. Furthermore, twelve relationships were established between these constructs, which led to the development of a holistic conceptual model. The identified constructs and the relationships between them are hierarchized, which has practical implications for businesses. It allows them to concentrate on operational activities and formulate and implement strategies that are valued by consumers and supported by empirical evidence. The originality and value of this research lie in the conception and development of a comprehensive e-commerce model, which includes eleven constructs and twelve relationships. It also highlights the pivotal role of the customer experience.

The concept of sustainable fashion is becoming more relevant in today’s society. The purpose of this research is to identify the determinants of the purchase intention of sustainable fashion, and the relationship between price and the purchase of sustainable fashion. A questionnaire was administered, which made it possible to define the concept of sustainable fashion, to use PLS-SEM to identify the determinants, and to apply linear regression models and t-tests of two independent samples (two-tailed test). The concept of sustainable fashion comprises the dimensions of manufacturing with a reduced environmental impact, consuming second-hand fashion products, manufacturing in an environmentally friendly way, reusing fashion products, manufacturing to last longer, manufacturing according to fair trade principles, using recycled materials, and manufacturing from organic materials. The PLS-SEM results show that purchase intention is determined by consumer knowledge, environmental beliefs, and willingness to pay more. The research also revealed that there is a non-linear (quadratic or exponential) relationship between the price of the product and the price increase that consumers are willing to pay and that they value the dimensions of sustainable fashion differently. The purchase intention determinants of consumers and non-consumers of sustainable fashion are identical, yet the dimensions of sustainable fashion are valued differently by each group.

This research establishes the relationship between the digital channels that organizations use to communicate with their audience and the stages of the consumer buying decision process in online stores. Researchers have not treated this relationship in much detail and little-known empirical research has focused on exploring relationships between the two subjects. Establishing this relationship is of crucial importance for organizations and consumers, as it ensures organizations use the digital channels that consumers want. A literature review of digital channels and consumer behavior models was performed, which allowed us to define which are the digital channels and to identify the different models of consumer behavior appropriate for the digital age. A quantitative methodology was used, supported on a questionnaire that allowed us to find out which digital channels are the most appropriate for each stage of the buying decision process. The results show that consumers use more than one digital channel at each stage of the buying decision process and for each stage, a set of digital channels is identifiable that is most preferred. In light of the above, those who are responsible for defining the digital marketing strategy know what types of content they should produce for each digital channel, allowing them to guarantee efficiency in the use of resources while ensuring that consumers get what they want.