Journal of Business and Retail Management Research

The economic weight of the so-called gig-economy, a system of market service providers, contractors and their employers, based on ad hoc contracts on demand, is growing. This trend, which is significantly transforming the labour market, is not leaving the business models of supply chain actors untouched. Today, the gig-economy model is also becoming increasingly prominent in logistics, with more and more people opting for this economic, entrepreneurial form of business and becoming freelancers. This model offers a number of advantages for workers, freelancers and employers alike. The gig-economy sheds new light on several issues - not only labour-related - but such also as: what factors play a role in the decision of the client and the contractor when they conclude an agreement to perform a service, this study deals with them. The study also explores how the benefits of the gig-economy are perceived by employers, what the keys to success might be, what competences are needed and how efficiency can be measured.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between social proof and a company's profitability, with a specific focus on the case of Vichy. Fear of Missing Out (F.O.M.O.) is a psychological phenomenon social proof trigger. The study emphasises the significance of social proofing, a marketing strategy that analyses consumer preferences and behaviours.

Methodology: The research paradigm used in this study is positivism, with a deductive approach. The sample size is made up of fifty employees from the company. To achieve the best research results, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. In-depth interviews were conducted with two Vichy managers to understand better the use of social proof to boost company performance.

Findings: The study demonstrates organisational growth and profitability through social proofing in a competitive business environment. As a result, it comprehends current organisational conditions and emphasises business expansion in the digital business economy. Furthermore, the ANOVA test indicates that there is an existence of a direct or indirect relationship between social proof and brand profitability.

Study originality and implications: To attract customers and increase profits, U.K. skincare retailers widely use social proofs such as case studies, customer reviews, awards, and influencer marketing. Companies can easily reach their target audience by using this marketing technique. However, there has been little or no research in this area, particularly in a luxury brand like Vichy. As a result, the findings are highly original, with significant academic and organisational implications. Companies can use the findings to implement effective social-proof marketing strategies to increase profits.

Purpose of the research:  Exploring the motivations behind Egyptian’s consumption during the festive occasion (FO) of Ramadan, in addition to exploring and understanding the intergenerational influence and the intention-behavioral gap between an old and young generation. Such exploration provides an insightful distinction between each generation, including their personal motives for consumption, which shapes their intentions to behave and their actual consumption behavior during the festivity.

Design/methodology: A multi-method qualitative study is chosen by carrying out focus groups and interviews. Most of the analysed date is generated based on interviews with the young (20-44 years old) and old generation (45-70 years old), pre and post Ramadan. Transcription and content analysis is employed using NVivo - a computer assisted program.

Results/Findings: The main themes explored, such as extrinsic motivation, reflect the different influences on buying behavior, in addition to how they differ from one generation to the other. The main motivations of festive occasion consumption for both generations are also explored.

Practical implications and Conclusions: The current study has a dual contribution with theoretical and practical implications. It contributes theoretically through identifying the personal motivations of both generations and developing an understanding of the intention-behavioral gaps in the young generation. In terms of its practical contribution, the study serves as a guide for businesses through typifying the specific consumer segments of the old and young generation through their personal motivation characteristics to be able to offer their segments more specific marketing strategies.

This paper focuses on the current topic of consumer behavior changes influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the research was to explore how the factor of fear affected consumers and analyze their response to shopping habits. Even though there is some evidence on how the consumers changed their behavior during the pandemic, there is still a lack of comprehensive information based on opinions and experiences of consumers themselves. Design/methodology of the research was based on a survey conducted on a sample of 252 consumers in Slovak republic providing an original source of information for this unique research. Findings in the study map the individual changes in consumer behavior that occurred during the pandemic with special focus on changes related to panic buying. Up to 82% of consumers reported an increase in amount of goods they bought in 2020, however, this form of panic buying significantly decreased in later years of the pandemic. Results show that male consumers were less likely to experience panic buying, however, they men expressed concerns about the negative impacts of the pandemic on the state's economy to a greater extent than women. The majority of consumers were concerned by health threats and related risks, but it was discovered that they feared more for others than themselves which resulted in an increased tendency to prefer unaccompanied shopping. The implications of this research are vast. Its practical implications provide guidelines for businesses that need to adjust their strategies according to the new reality in the post-pandemic era. Findings can also provide a foundation for further risk management measures that companies need to consider should a similar situation arise again in the future to be better prepared and to design a flexible response.

Digital transformation is the most buzzing topic, widely discussed among all business practitioners as well in academia, as every business sector is largely at the precipice of adapting itself to the dynamic evolution of technology. Despite of the available expertise and resources, the many of the organisations fail to achieve success in Digital Transformation (DT). This research paper digs in deeper to explore the reasons for these failures by applying the qualitative approach to conduct this research, this study aims to explore the reasons of current state of DT in the Wealth Management companies (WM), through stakeholder perspectives exploring their lived experiences of the digital transformation journey. The research uses the interpretive method with a phenomenological approach to explore the human perspectives from wider hierarchical layers in the chosen case study firms of the Wealth Management sector. The study finds a few major gaps such as a polarised understanding of digital transformation strategies, calibration issues in capability and agility mechanisms within the chosen sector. This research makes recommendations for business practices, which can facilitate a in charting the frictionless investment journey to their ultimate end customers.