Abstract
This research establishes the relationship between the digital channels that organizations use to communicate with their audience and the stages of the consumer buying decision process in online stores. Researchers have not treated this relationship in much detail and little-known empirical research has focused on exploring relationships between the two subjects. Establishing this relationship is of crucial importance for organizations and consumers, as it ensures organizations use the digital channels that consumers want. A literature review of digital channels and consumer behavior models was performed, which allowed us to define which are the digital channels and to identify the different models of consumer behavior appropriate for the digital age. A quantitative methodology was used, supported on a questionnaire that allowed us to find out which digital channels are the most appropriate for each stage of the buying decision process. The results show that consumers use more than one digital channel at each stage of the buying decision process and for each stage, a set of digital channels is identifiable that is most preferred. In light of the above, those who are responsible for defining the digital marketing strategy know what types of content they should produce for each digital channel, allowing them to guarantee efficiency in the use of resources while ensuring that consumers get what they want.

Abstract
Body-positive content on social media offers a promising approach to promote positive body image (PBI). However, we need further research in order to better characterize and understand its nature. This study provides a content analysis of adolescents' image-based posts on Facebook. We aimed to determine whether the theoretical six -facet conceptualization of PBI was reflected in adolescents' posts, and whether there were different trends according to gender and time, over a 3-year period. A set of 6,503 images posted by 66 adolescents (51.5% male), were coded for PBI attributes. The results indicate that inner positivity and appreciation of body functionality through involvement in sports and fun activities were the most represented PBI facets. Conversely, imagery representing taking care of the body via healthy food/beverage choices, embracing body diversity, and filtering information in a body-preserving manner, was rarely used to project self-image on Facebook. Gender differences were only found in the appreciation of body functionality via sports activities (more prevalent in boys) and investment in appearance using benign methods, such as the use of cosmetics (more prevalent in girls). Posts addressing appearance and health -promoting self-care behaviors tended to increase in mid-adolescence. We conclude that the adolescents' posts on Facebook reflected several PBI characteristics, with a particular focus on those that enhance a functional view of the body. Future social media and school-level initiatives should prioritize the development of attuned self-care as well as mechanisms to filter messages that could endanger PBI, while also increasing the visibility of the diverse bodies that exist in the world.

Abstract
Establishing the relationship between online communication channels and the stages of the consumer decision-making process was the aim of this research. A review of online communication channels and consumer behavior models was conducted for this purpose. Subsequently, three experiments (car glass repair, retail of clothing and sports equipment, and retail of books and technological products) were carried out that consisted of questionnaires that were applied in companies belonging to different industries. The questionnaires were used to measure the expectations and preferences of consumers at each stage for each channel. The results showed that there is no relationship between online communication channels and the stages of the decision-making process. They also revealed a gap between expectations and preferences for each channel in each phase. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025.

Abstract
This paper explores the main challenges and barriers to VR/AR adoption and categorizes common activities performed with these technologies, explaining each specific factor affecting them. After reviewing literature on metaverse retailing, channel strategies, VR/AR technologies, and user experiences, a conceptual framework was developed. Data from the Voice of the Consumer: Digital Survey (20202024) in over 20 countries was analyzed, using Pearson's correlation, factor analysis, and multiple linear regressions. The results point that key challenges for VR/AR adoption include security, privacy, content, price, headset-free experiences, digital fatigue, and poor experiences. Gaming is the most common VR/AR activity, while metaverse retailing activities like shopping and virtual try-ons have fewer users. Practical considerations drive metaverse retailing, unlike gaming, which is mainly hedonic. Privacy concerns, safety risks, poor experiences, and lack of knowledge surprisingly increase VR/AR usage for metaverse retailing, indicating informed consumers or threshold characterization of these variables. Additional insights were found for tourism, hospitality, and gaming activities. Theoretical implications, insights, and potential actions for retailers and tech companies are discussed, along with limitations and suggestions for further research.

Abstract
Destination image is critical for the development of tourism, particularly for islands where the scarcity of resources requires special care in focusing on the few determinants the islands have. This paper aims to describe the most perceived image determinants by tourists of Cape Verde. Based on a convenience sample of 627 international tourists, a second order factor analysis model was validated through the model fit measures. Despite a scarcity of resources, the results suggest that the image of Cape Verde is a multidimensional construct comprising five factors: natural attractions, man-made attractions, amenities, culture and price. Among these, the man-made and natural attractions as well as amenities are the most important image determinants for Cape Verde. Potentially there is a plurality of dimensions to be appreciated in the positioning process. Challenging many studies which have almost exclusively emphasised the attractions of natural resources, the tourism sector of this destination can offer a major and more flexible competitive advantage. The results may be helpful to other African countries which share similar developmental constraints with Cape Verde. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Abstract
The classic literature about innovation conveys innovation strategy the leading and starting role to generate business growth due to technology development and more effective managerial practices. The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) however reverts this paradigm in the context of Industry 5.0. The focus is moving from how innovation fosters AI to how AI fosters innovation. Therefore, our research question can be stated as follows: What factors influence the effect of AI on Innovation Capacity in the context of Industry 5.0? To address this question we conduct a scoping review of a vast body of literature spanning engineering, human sciences, and management science. We conduct a keyword-based literature search completed by bibliographic analysis, then classify the resulting 333 works into 3 classes and 15 clusters which we critically analyze. We extract 3 hypotheses setting associations between 4 factors: company age, AI maturity, manufacturing strategy, and innovation capacity. The review uncovers several debates and research gaps left unsolved by the existing literature. In particular, it raises the debate whether the Industry5.0 promise can be achieved while Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) remains out of reach. It explores diverging possible futures driven toward social manufacturing or mass customization. Finally, it discusses alternative AI policies and their incidence on open and internal innovation. We conclude that the effect of AI on innovation capacity can be synergic, deceptive, or substitutive depending on the alignment of the uncovered factors. Moreover, we identify a set of 12 indicators enabling us to measure these factors to predict AI's effect on innovation capacity. These findings provide researchers with a new understanding of the interplay between artificial intelligence and human intelligence. They provide practitioners with decision metrics for a successful transition to Industry 5.0.