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  • Article
    The "Trickle-Across" Phenomenon: Consumption-Mimicking in Emerging Markets in a Stress Environment
    (Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, 2026) Gungordu Belbag, Aybegum; Deligonul, Seyda Z.; Uner, Mehmet Mithat; Cavusgil, S. Tamer
    Purpose - This study conceptualizes a novel framework called the "trickle-across" phenomenon to understand how middle-class consumers in emerging markets adapt their consumer behavior during economic crises. Unlike the trickle-down model based on upward emulation, the study explores how risk and uncertainty drive consumers to mimic their in-group. Design/methodology/approach - The study employs a conceptual review approach, synthesizing the crisis literature on middle-class consumer behavior across emerging markets. It offers four novel propositions to explain the socio-psychological underpinnings of the shift in middle-class consumer behavior. Findings - Under normal, low-anxiety conditions, middle-class consumers seek upward mobility through aspirational consumption and class emulation, referred to as trickle-down theory. However, during crises, heightened risk anxiety triggers a shift from upward emulation to lateral mimicry, where individuals conform to the consumption norms of their immediate social cohort. Socio-cultural influences play a critical role in risk trivialization and adapting to economic hardships. Originality/value - The study proposes the trickle-across phenomenon as a defining pattern of middle-class consumer behavior in emerging markets during crises. It shifts the focus from aspirational models to cohort-based survival strategies and highlights how socio-cultural factors help middle-class consumers adapt to economic hardships and preserve identity. The framework provides new insights for marketers, policymakers, and scholars.
  • Article
    The Individual Readiness and Risk-Related Concerns of It Professionals for Blockchain Adoption
    (Elsevier, 2025) Turhan, Cigdem; Akman, Ibrahim
    Blockchain has gained remarkable momentum since its introduction in 2008, drawing the attention of industries, individuals, and governments on a global scale. This technology has been studied in the literature, with a focus on technical aspects, application areas, and emerging research challenges. However, few studies address individuals' perceptions of and concerns with respect to blockchain adoption. This study aims to investigate the attributes affecting blockchain adoption intention. A sample of IT professionals was used for this purpose since they are expected to have earlier and greater awareness of new digital technologies. The perceptions of this group of users regarding attributes such as innovativeness, self-efficacy, social pressure, and awareness, as well as their perceptions of privacy, security, and complexity, were examined through a survey of 208 responses. The results indicate that among the individual attributes, personal innovativeness, awareness, and social pressure positively affect blockchain acceptance, whereas security and privacy concerns fuel the reluctance to adopt blockchain. The findings hopefully provide insight for developers and management of enterprises to ensure a smooth transition into blockchain and present evidence to forecast its future.
  • Article
    Citation - Scopus: 27
    Risk Analysis of Global Software Development and Proposed Solutions
    (KoREMA, 2010) Yu,L.; Mishra,A.
    Global software development is becoming a widely accepted practice in software industry. While benefits of global software development have been identified and publicized, potential risks have not been fully investigated and addressed. This paper analyzes the impacts of globalization on software development, especially its long term impact on software product quality and software industry competitiveness. This issue is rather critical for prominent software providers. Potential solutions are discussed to address these issues in order to reduce the risk and take advantage of the benefits of global software development.