The purpose of this study was to create a web application that provided peer to peer rental solutions for students and while doing so maximize the usability of the application with regards to simplicity and online trust. An initial market survey was conducted, see appendix B, and the overall results were promising. The few survey takers that were hesitant towards the idea thought that using a rental solution would not be worth the while. Hence the research question focused on maximizing usability in regards to simplicity and online trust in order to make the e-shop an easy rental solution to use. The application was developed in three iterations and through the development process user tests were conducted and metrics regarding simplicity and perceived online trust were collected. The test conducted made use of the concurrent think aloud procedure, retrospective probing, surveying and time data used for calculating the effectiveness and efficiency of the test participants. The test results all improved throughout the development process and the application was perceived as both simple and trustworthy by test participants. By the end of the study, an application that could provide a peer to peer rental solution that was trusted by its users and was simple to use was realized. The study concluded that the evaluation methods used were good indicators of whether a web application is simple and trustworthy by identifying issues with the application as well as the improvements reflected in the test results. However they should have been applied on separate test occasions.

Problem: Facebook is the most frequent and most used Social Media of our time. Facebook shapes new opportunities in communication and collaboration between companies and consumers that have not been possible before. Facebook is a marketing channel that gives companies an easy and free way of sharing fast information and communication online. However, Facebook’s main purpose is to maintain and create relationships online. Researchers say that in order to have a long-term relationship with loyal consumers, trust is needed. Therefore, it is interesting for companies to know the important variables that can create trust on Facebook. Trust generates loyalty and long-lasting relationship that in turn guarantee an income over time. The strengthening the relationship over Facebook is a free and fast way of creating these benefits to a company. Purpose: This study investigates important variables in the trust building process between companies and consumers on Facebook. We also explore how trust can be created in the relationship trough the companies Facebook activities. The thesis contains a case study of three different companies that use Facebook as a marketing channel. The reason behind the case study was to explore how these companies work to create trust. Methodology: The study is qualitative research and is based on three existent cases. In-depth interviews and observations of Swedish companies were the two methodologies used. Conclusions: The Facebook-Trust model was developed and represent how trust can be created through over Facebook. Companies can use the Facebook-Trust model in order to create trust in the relationship with the consumer. The case study revealed that the companies did not work according to the model. Companies are not aware of that they can create trust on Facebook. Therefore, the Facebook-Trust model is useful for the companies in this study.

This research proposed a new model for online interpersonal trust based on eight properties of new online social networks. Two elements were found to have significant contributions. These were the ability for users to create an online personal profile where their real identity is disclosed, and the ability to create connections to other online users. The user's innate propensity to trust was also validated as a moderating force on online trust. These results have significant implications for further academic research and online practitioners.Online trust has long been understood as one of the biggest barriers to e-commerce and online business. Various online trust models have been developed and a common theme is the lack of an interpersonal trust component that exists in many real world trust models. Interpersonal trust has been excluded because the internet was considered an impersonal medium. This research argues that the internet has changed to become more personal, and that interpersonal trust is now possible online.The aim of this research was to assist businesses and web designers in understanding drivers of online trust on the new social web. From an academic perspective the aim was to challenge existing online trust knowledge to include interpersonal trust. An online survey was snowball sampled to South African users of Facebook. The survey tested the contribution of eight properties of new online social networks to online trust. The data was analysed using structural equation modelling and the model was found to have a good fit to the data. Further work however is required on the measurement instrument and sampling. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

E-commerce retail sales continue to experience significant growth in the United States (U.S.) annually. However, the contribution of e-commerce retail sales towards total retail sales in the U.S. remains low. Furthermore, the growth of e-commerce retail sales from year to year as a percentage of total retail sales in the U.S. is also fractional. The lack of online trust by consumers has been cited as a significant barrier to transacting online and a possible cause of this slow-moving trend. E-commerce retail sales are paramount to the success and profitability of online merchants. It remains critical to understand the underlying determinants of online trust as a precursor to online purchase intention. This study sought to explore the effect of one such determinant namely, website design, on online trust. Using constructs and scales synthesized from the salient literature, the effects of visual design, social-cue design, and content design on online trust were measured and reported. Additionally, the mediating influence of online trust on online purchase intention was investigated. Demographic factors of age and gender were also examined for possible moderating effects of website design on online trust. A conceptual model of the influence of website design on online trust and the influence of online trust on purchase intention in e-commerce retailing environments was also tested. The study involved scenario-based survey research methodology. Participants were presented with two websites along with a fictitious purchase scenario and post-scenario survey. The survey captured their responses with respect to the design elements of each website, their inclination to trust each website, and their intention to make a purchase from each website. Participants’ age range and gender were also captured in the survey. A total of 502 participants took part in the study. The results found that each of the components of website design namely, visual design, social-cue design, and content design had a statistically significant effect on online trust. Online trust was also found to mediate the effect of these design factors on purchase intention. Finally, no significant effects of age or gender on website design’s relationship with online trust were found. Subsequently, implications and suggestions for future research are presented.

The web based business is one of the greatest things that have surprised the world’s business. It ismaking a whole new economy, which has a gigantic potential and is in a general sense changingthe way of businesses. Organizations and associations must draw in and hold clients with the goalthat they can survive. Electronic trade is viewed as a suitable methodology for showcasing,offering and coordinating on the web administrations which can assume a critical part inrecognizing, acquiring and looking after clients. Online business advances and upgrades therelationship and correspondences between the association, makers, wholesalers and clients. In anycase, it ought to be noticed that accomplishment in web based business relies on trust and decidingpractical facts web based business. There is an arrangement of practicable inside hierarchical andoutside authoritative calculates online business which ought to be thought about. This paperdiscovers the strength, weaknesses and the online trust of the stakeholders in E-Businessmarketing. Furthermore, a model and system are proposed for indicating the practical componentson web based business achievement.

Abstract Background: Around 45% of Swedish consumers canceled their online purchase in 2018, due to too high delivery fees and issues concerning payments. This research is focusing on e-payments by utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model 3 and its determinants perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, and how they contribute to the e-payment method decision. Additionally, the relevance of online trust and online security are examined in relation to purchasing cancellations due to trust and security issues in e-payment methods.   Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to understand how Swedish millennial consumers’ perceptions of online security and online trust of e-payment methods effect on online purchasing cancellation. Furthermore, this paper examines how perceptions of usefulness and ease of use contribute as determinants in choosing between e-payment methods according to Swedish millennial consumers.   Method: The research is carried out in a qualitative manner by conducting a series of semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Fifteen Swedish millennials contributed to the empirical study. The gathered primary data is analyzed and then presented in chapter 4 and connected to the existing literature in chapter 5.   Conclusion: For the Swedish millennials, both online trust and online security are perceived as important determinants when evaluating whether or not the e-payment method could be used. When choosing between different e-payment methods, perceived ease of use seemed to be more important. Additionally, the decisions are made based on which e-payment method is secure, trustworthy, and easy to use. The presence of those determinants also increases perceived usefulness. When making purchases online domestically it appears that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness weight heavier. While trust and security are given more importance if the purchase is made from a foreign website.

<p>As the internet has become an increasingly growing market for companies, it has also subsequently revolutionized shopping. There are countless different options on the internet for individuals. If a website does not live up to the expectations, there is always another one just a few clicks away. This raises the demands on the retailers, in terms of development and maintenance of their e-commerce websites. In order to succeed, there are many things that have to be considered and addressed. This thesis research discusses some of the most essential questions that may arise during the development of an e-commerce website. The process has been divided into four different sections; graphical design, information design, interaction design, and online trust. Each one of these sectors is important and every website developer should be familiar with them.</p>

Background: E-commerce retailing is the most rapidly growing shopping mode and has quickly gained a huge market share. The increased growth rate means that the competition among online based companies is growing. Therefore the challenge faced is how to be unique on an extremely competitive market and being able to reach customers in a jungle of information and communication. By identifying barriers and weaknesses in the existing online sales mode, new complementary tools might be found which can help online based companies to stay competitive, meet customers’ demands and deliver exclusive experiences.   Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to describe the new phenomenon pop-up store and investigate if it could be a complementary tool for online based companies to help tackling limitations inherent in e-businesses.   Methodology: In this study we conducted seven interviews with people that have been working with pop-up store concepts in some way. Two of the interviewees were consultants, one was a specialist on pop-up stores and the rest were Marketing Managers of well known Swedish companies.       Conclusions: This study showed that the three most prominent limitations inherent with e-business (lack of human interaction, communication, capture of visitors’ attention) could be overcome with a pop-up store.   Proposals for future research: It would be interesting to further investigate, in connection to this study, how customers have perceived the concepts and if they think that a pop-up store could increase their knowledge about an online based company and enhance their willingness to purchase through the web

Previous studies have revealed that the creation of synergy among retailers’ channels can enhance customers’ satisfaction and loyalty. Nevertheless, little is known about utilising such synergy in inducing customers’ purchasing behaviour in electronic commerce. In an attempt to address this issue, few empirical studies have been conducted into the role of trust transference from brick to click channels in order to understand customers’ purchasing intentions. These empirical studies have mainly focused on interpersonal trust as a proxy of the transference process. Therefore, the present study seeks to articulate the importance of impersonal trust, and shed light on its expected role in the transference process during the introductory stage of customers’ interaction. Impersonal trust, or perceived structural assurance as labelled in this study, refers to customers’ beliefs in the legal and technological structures of retailers’ websites. However, the introductory stage describes the state of customers when they have not yet been exposed to a retailer’s website. These notions are thoroughly reviewed and synthesised to achieve a proper conceptualisation and operationalisation for the perceived structural assurance. Then, on the basis of previous theories and studies, a conceptual model is constructed to determine several drivers of the perceived structural assurance, as well as its consequences. With regard to the research methodology, a quantitative triangulation choice is adopted in the present study. This choice involves the design of a survey questionnaire, which is employed after relying on several explorative instruments. However, upon the insights of a pilot study, a total of 304 responses are used to analyse the overall research data. Then, the results are generated through an advanced stage of statistical analysis which is performed by Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results indicate that the validated model is robust and can be used in generalising the findings of the current research. The novelty of this study involves several contributions to the body of knowledge and practice. This study develops a model that theoretically extends the existing knowledge on the trust transference phenomenon and posits an effective approach of triangulating methods in quantitative research. Lastly, this study contributes to the practice by presenting evidence to support the synergy among retailers’ brick and click channels.

As the internet has become an increasingly growing market for companies, it has also subsequently revolutionized shopping. There are countless different options on the internet for individuals. If a website does not live up to the expectations, there is always another one just a few clicks away. This raises the demands on the retailers, in terms of development and maintenance of their e-commerce websites. In order to succeed, there are many things that have to be considered and addressed. This thesis research discusses some of the most essential questions that may arise during the development of an e-commerce website. The process has been divided into four different sections; graphical design, information design, interaction design, and online trust. Each one of these sectors is important and every website developer should be familiar with them.