Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions

The paper entitled “Frontline Technology Infusion: Conceptual Archetypes and a Future Research Agenda” offers a useful typology for the role of technology in customer service. The paper was authored by Arne De Keyser, Sarah Köcher, Linda Nasr and Jay Kandampully, and the authors provide various examples of how technology may 1) have no role, 2) … Continue reading Useful typology of the role of technology in service interactions

Tech entrepreneurs and computing experts need training in social sciences

Some time ago, I was around a dinner table with some tech entrepreneurs, when I said that sociology should be a compulsory module in computer science courses, because most tech entrepreneurs and computing experts clearly lack a basic understanding of human behaviour, which creates a lot of problems for the rest of us. As you … Continue reading Tech entrepreneurs and computing experts need training in social sciences

Someone else’s reflections on my use of technology

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post sharing some thoughts I had had (largely, of disappointment) related to my own use of technology. In that post, I noted how the iWatch had become more and more a part of my daily life; how I had mistrusted a human being for trying to bypass the … Continue reading Someone else’s reflections on my use of technology

[Miscellany] Some reflections from my use of technology

When technology works well, we don't think about it. We take it for granted. But some recent “technology failures” have led me to reflect on its role in my life, and how it impacts on how I see other human beings and the world. So much more than a watch My Apple Watch stopped working. … Continue reading [Miscellany] Some reflections from my use of technology

Seeing the smart speaker as a servant vs a master vs a partner – Why it matters

I just came across a very interesting study published in the Journal of Marketing Management, which examined how smart speaker users viewed their devices, and how that related to their experiences of using the device. The study was conducted by Fiona Schweitzer, Russell Belk, Werner Jordan and Melanie Ortner, and its title is “Servant, friend or master? … Continue reading Seeing the smart speaker as a servant vs a master vs a partner – Why it matters

On social engineering in social media platforms (or, how we are not in control)

Historian Melvin Kranzberg once wrote that: “Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral”. That is, technology (digital techology, for instance) does more than allowing users to do something; the design of that techonological product actually encourages some behaviours, while discouraging (or, at least, downplaying) others. For instance, the addition of cameras to … Continue reading On social engineering in social media platforms (or, how we are not in control)

Homework 2013

Writing an year 7 essay on the Black Death requires: - Word to compose it - E-mail, Skype and chat to exchange ideas with colleagues - BBC Bitesize and Wikipedia websites for resources. Oh, and the textbook. Sounds familiar?

Research project completed: Customer data in the digital age

It has been a whirlwind, but we did it: the team has now concluded the research project investigating Customer data in the Digital Age. And one day before the deadline 😉 Together with 5 other colleagues from Oxford Brookes University, Open University and the University of Liverpool, we completed in-depth interviews with 15 senior marketing practitioners. … Continue reading Research project completed: Customer data in the digital age

Follow Friday: ‘Let’s Talk About Tech’ podcast

Today’s recommendation is not a Twitter account; is a podcast. I have recently discovered the ‘Let’s talk about tech’ weekly podcast and it’s been a great addition to my #2013Kms ‘playlist’. It gives a general overview of the key tech-related news of the week, with a light-touch commentary. It is published by BBC Radio 5 … Continue reading Follow Friday: ‘Let’s Talk About Tech’ podcast