Technology-enabled engagement process of brand virtual-try-on services

Purpose New-age technologies are driving brand digitalization and influencing consumer retail experiences and consumption patterns. Although past research addresses users’/consumers’ acceptance of these technologies in retail, it refrains from thoroughly studying interaction and engagement. Stemming from the technology acceptance model, the purpose of this paper is to empirically study the practicality of the technology-enabled engagement process comprising stages of interaction, psychological engagement, value-in-use and behavioral engagement during consumers’ interactions with augmented reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning based virtual try-on services. Design/methodology/approach Data from an online survey conducted in China of 339 consumers who experienced the virtual-try-on service is analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Findings The results support the technology-enabled engagement process of brand virtual try-on services. Perceived ease of use and usefulness are robust antecedents of the framework during the interaction stage. Emotional and cognitive aspects contribute to the psychological engagement and value-in-use stages that convert into positive e-word of mouth and buying intentions about the brand in the behavioral engagement stage. Originality/value The research contributes to the technology acceptance model, information systems and technology marketing literature by testing a novel technology-enabled engagement process, which previously lacked empirical validation. Specifically, it uses technology acceptance model constructs as antecedents of the technology-enabled engagement process framework, with behavioral intentions in the form of e-word of mouth and buying intentions as precedents. It also provides insights into brands’ virtual try-on services in online retail environments. Practical implications for brand managers are discussed.