This research aims to assess the current status of online trade relations between Kuwait and Portugal. To do so, we examine how firm managers from Portugal and Kuwait use online platforms to engage customers to enhance firm performance. A set of existing constructs was chosen (Online Experience, Customer Inspiration, Online Customer Engagement, Firm Performance, National Culture), which were included in a proposed model of structural equations, in order to assess the contribution of Online Experience and Customer inspiration to the current status of online trade relations (through Online Customer Engagement), and how these can be improved to the further development of e-commerce between the two countries.

An increasing number of women are becoming empowered with changing cultural dynamics, gender equality, education and technology. The use of Internet and social media platforms by businesses at various stages is on the rise. Despite its benefits, women entrepreneurs in developing countries are less inclined towards using the online mediums for their business in comparison to men. This study observes activities where women entrepreneurs use online mediums for business purposes, understands challenges faced in doing so, reasons behind such challenges and how do they deal with them. Qualitative research is conducted via semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs at India. Findings indicate that there are commonly prevalent issues faced by Indian women entrepreneurs while using online mediums. As a way out, they either choose to shy away from digital mediums or seek external help. They are more comfortable using digital mediums where the communication and onus is one way, there is limited need to trust the other person or there is less possibility of receiving damaging comments in public. For interactive activities, women refrain from using online mediums. Financial, social and cultural factors also play a role in keeping women entrepreneurs behind from using online mediums for their business.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming customer service. This paper aims to paint a state-of-the-art of AI and its impact in customer service organizations by conducting a literature review as well as exploring current AI solutions used by practitioners. We will also identify gaps in the research that need to be addressed to better understand the impact of AI in customer service

Current forces of change such as the digital transformation, the increasing importance of service and experiential luxury, new customer groups with diverse cultural backgrounds and spending habits or rising expectations with regards to transparency and sustainability, force brands to rethink the way they do business. In some cases, this means quickly building up new capabilities, which often exist outside a company’s own organizational structure and cannot easily be developed or integrated. Luxury ecosystems are considered one way of dealing with the challenges of an ever more dynamic, fast-changing and multi- faceted environment. In luxury ecosystems, capabilities are built in collaboration with partners from the same or different industries that share a common vision. However, the ecosystem approach, especially when actively communicated to the outside world and made part of the brand’s DNA, partially stands in contrast to the more traditional notion of exclusivity and the luxury brand as a bounded, proprietary system shrouded in mystery. Based on a qualitative approach, including multiple case studies and interviews, this study examines the opportunities of an ecosystem mindset for Swiss luxury companies, explores different forms and identifies the success factors and limits of the concept.

This research seeks to unveil how YouTube influencers and digital interaction can contribute to the process of customer-brand relationship and engagement. Based on in-depth interviews of female Youtubers devoted to the lifestyle categories, we aim to comprehend the engagement factors that influencers should rely on to promote engagement between their followers and the brands they advocate.