15361438
Web Design in E-Commerce: A Theory and Empirical Analysis
In the Internet market, websites are the main interface between online merchants and their customers. Effective website design plays a critical role in attracting and maintaining customers’ interest and in influencing their purchase behavior. Despite the singular significance of website design, little theoretical knowledge is available regarding how web-design elements impact the purchase behavior of online shoppers. By drawing on the theory of planned behavior and interpersonal influence, we develop and empirically test a conceptual model for the process by which web design elements could influence the purchase intention of online customers. This research provides a theoretical framework for the design decisions regarding websites in order to accommodate the salient features of online shopping.
15009165
Exploring Web Customers' Trust Formation in Infomediaries
Infomediaries are information intermediaries in the Internet that play an important part in reducing online customers’ search costs for finding the most suitable vendors and products. This research explores the process of Web customers’ trust building using infomediaries. Specifically, we identify four sets of trust-related beliefs that impact web customers’ trust attitude and intended behavior, as well as the antecedents of trust-related beliefs. This conceptualization is built on a number of theories, mainly theories of trust, reasoned action, and actor-network. Our empirical results in testing the model indicate that web customers’ trust attitude toward web infomediaries is formed based on their beliefs regarding risk, content quality, system quality, and trustbuilding beliefs. We also found that initial trust is the antecedent of trust-forming beliefs, whereas individuals’ propensity to trust influences their calculative risk beliefs. The implications of these findings are also discussed.
9498627
An Investigation of Cognitive Antecedents to Satisfaction Using Web-Based Decision Spport Systems
Web sites play a critical role in attracting customers. Many Web sites provide different functionalities to assist customers in decision-making. Despite the importance of different types of functionalities provided by Web sites, there is little knowledge about how Web customers’ satisfaction is formulated using Web-based decision support systems (DSS). In this study, we develop a conceptual model for investigating cognitive antecedents to Web users’ satisfaction in the context of Web-based DSS. The empirical examination of the research model indicates that perceived effectiveness is influenced by perceived accuracy and effort and, in turn, has a positive impact on satisfaction in using Web-based DSS. The implications of this study provide information to Web site designers and developers as to how a Web-based DSS needs to be implemented to enhance Web users’ satisfaction.
15717180
The Design of a Grid-enabled Information Integration System Based on Mediator/Wrapper Architectures
This work was partially supported by Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and the Ministry of Information and Communication, Korea, under the College Information Technology Research Center (ITRC) Support Program.