ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic has pressured marketers and consumers adapt their purchasing habits. Known literature on mobile commerce (MC) highlights its advantage on convenience, which now is accompanied by health safety. Although MC has been outgrowing other online sectors, the early stages of the pandemic provided a new scenario. We study the relationship between consumer's attitudes about Covid-19 public health restrictions and the behavioral intention for MC adoption. Previous research on technology acceptance of online and mobile shopping have focused on aspects like safety and behavioral intention as key factors. Thus, we examine how attitude towards social distancing practices during the pandemic has affected consumers intentions to adopt of mobile commerce. We aim to study the degree on which this attitude affects previous intentions on purchasing or subscribing to services via mobile devices. For this, we present a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model of consumer MC adoption using social distance as a moderator. An empirical analysis using a survey of attitude and beliefs over mobile commerce and social distancing is presented, confirming the factors underlying using structural equation modeling. Results show that the attitudes toward social distancing are a significant moderator of purchasing through mobile devices; indicating that an individual's adherence to recommended practices during the pandemic does positively influence the adoption. MC is known for being a potential advantage to facilitate customer experience. According to our results, we believe marketers should reconsider or further develop MC infrastructure, highlighting its convenience and health safety role.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS rates are higher in the Southern United States compared to other regions of the country. Reasons for disparities include poverty, health care access, and racism. People who inject drugs (PWID) account for 8% of HIV/AIDS incidence rates. Harm reduction can connect PWID to needed resources. AIDS United Southern REACH grantees developed the Southern Harm Reduction Coalition (SHRC) as a means to decrease HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis rates, criminalization of drug users and sex workers, and drug overdose. METHOD: Investigators used an intrinsic case study design to examine the context of harm reduction in the Southern United States, successful strategies, and outcomes. Data collection included key informant interviews and coalition documents. The community coalition action theory was used to examine the data. RESULTS: The SHRC initiated regional conferences and customized trainings. Strengths-based language and utilization of diverse strengths among coalition members were used to effect change. Coalition outcomes included syringe decriminalization legislation, syringe exchange, naloxone access, naloxone funding legislation, and 911 Good Samaritan laws, along with expanded support for PWID. CONCLUSIONS: Advocacy successes can be applied to similar organizations in the Southern United States to promote harm reduction and potentially decrease HIV/AIDS burden, viral hepatitis, criminalization, and overdose.
