IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/techno/v132y2024ics0166497224000208.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Consumers’ reaction to sci-fi as a source of information for technological development: An empirical analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio
  • Mora, Luca
  • Natalicchio, Angelo
  • Platania, Federico
  • Toscano Hernandez, Celina

Abstract

Science fiction (sci-fi) creative products inspire individuals by envisioning alternative futures and imaginary technological development. The stimuli conveyed by sci-fi creative products can trigger consumers' interest, which nowadays translate into reactions on social media platforms. Consequently, these reactions allow to understand the attitude of potential consumers towards not-yet-developed technologies and inform firms developing novel and unconventional technological solutions, hence reducing their market uncertainty. This study aims at exploring if the individuals' reactions to the technological themes presented through sci-fi creative products and conveyed through social media may become a source of information for innovating firms, that may consequently affect their technology development processes. To answer our research question, we relied on the individuals’ reactions to the sci-fi series Black Mirror conveyed through Twitter and on patents related to the technological themes presented in the series. Results show that in most cases there is a significant variation in social media engagement about the presented technology after the first airing of the episode and, in a subset of cases we found a significant variation in the mean number of related patents filed per day, that can be associated with an actual change in the technology development processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Messeni Petruzzelli, Antonio & Mora, Luca & Natalicchio, Angelo & Platania, Federico & Toscano Hernandez, Celina, 2024. "Consumers’ reaction to sci-fi as a source of information for technological development: An empirical analysis," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:132:y:2024:i:c:s0166497224000208
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2024.102970
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166497224000208
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.technovation.2024.102970?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mariani, Marcello M. & Fosso Wamba, Samuel, 2020. "Exploring how consumer goods companies innovate in the digital age: The role of big data analytics companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 338-352.
    2. Steinmueller, W. Edward, 2017. "Science fiction and innovation: A response," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 550-553.
    3. Elitzur, Ramy & Gavious, Arieh, 2003. "Contracting, signaling, and moral hazard: a model of entrepreneurs, 'angels,' and venture capitalists," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 709-725, November.
    4. Blind, Knut & Petersen, Sören S. & Riillo, Cesare A.F., 2017. "The impact of standards and regulation on innovation in uncertain markets," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 249-264.
    5. Qu, Yan & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Market orientation, technological opportunity, and new product innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. Gök, Remzi & Bouri, Elie & Gemici, Eray, 2022. "Can Twitter-based economic uncertainty predict safe-haven assets under all market conditions and investment horizons?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    7. Ruomeng Cui & Santiago Gallino & Antonio Moreno & Dennis J. Zhang, 2018. "The Operational Value of Social Media Information," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 27(10), pages 1749-1769, October.
    8. Soh, Pek-Hooi, 2003. "The role of networking alliances in information acquisition and its implications for new product performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 727-744, November.
    9. Julian Bafera & Simon Kleinert, 2023. "Signaling Theory in Entrepreneurship Research: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 47(6), pages 2419-2464, November.
    10. Marcela Miozzo & Lori DiVito, 2020. "Productive opportunities, uncertainty, and science-based firm emergence," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 539-560, February.
    11. Michael Spence, 2002. "Signaling in Retrospect and the Informational Structure of Markets," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(3), pages 434-459, June.
    12. Kyriazis, Nikolaos & Papadamou, Stephanos & Tzeremes, Panayiotis & Corbet, Shaen, 2023. "The differential influence of social media sentiment on cryptocurrency returns and volatility during COVID-19," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 307-317.
    13. Bhimani, Hardik & Mention, Anne-Laure & Barlatier, Pierre-Jean, 2019. "Social media and innovation: A systematic literature review and future research directions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 251-269.
    14. Ronald Klingebiel & John Joseph & Valerie Machoba, 2022. "Sequencing innovation rollout: Learning opportunity versus entry speed," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(9), pages 1763-1792, September.
    15. Dellarocas, Chrysanthos, 2003. "The Digitization of Word-of-mouth: Promise and Challenges of Online Feedback Mechanisms," Working papers 4296-03, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    16. Chrysanthos Dellarocas, 2003. "The Digitization of Word of Mouth: Promise and Challenges of Online Feedback Mechanisms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(10), pages 1407-1424, October.
    17. Ye, Yu & Yu, Qionglei & Zheng, Yongjun & Zheng, Yi, 2022. "Investigating the effect of social media application on firm capabilities and performance: The perspective of dynamic capability view," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 510-519.
    18. Bashir, Naheed & Papamichail, K.Nadia & Malik, Khaleel, 2017. "Use of Social Media Applications for Supporting New Product Development Processes in Multinational Corporations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 176-183.
    19. Umar, Zaghum & Gubareva, Mariya & Yousaf, Imran & Ali, Shoaib, 2021. "A tale of company fundamentals vs sentiment driven pricing: The case of GameStop," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 30(C).
    20. Yosem Companys & Jeffery McMullen, 2007. "Strategic Entrepreneurs at Work: The Nature, Discovery, and Exploitation of Entrepreneurial Opportunities," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 301-322, April.
    21. Scott Shane, 2000. "Prior Knowledge and the Discovery of Entrepreneurial Opportunities," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 11(4), pages 448-469, August.
    22. Yubo Chen & Jinhong Xie, 2008. "Online Consumer Review: Word-of-Mouth as a New Element of Marketing Communication Mix," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(3), pages 477-491, March.
    23. Naeem, Muhammad Abubakr & Mbarki, Imen & Shahzad, Syed Jawad Hussain, 2021. "Predictive role of online investor sentiment for cryptocurrency market: Evidence from happiness and fears," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 496-514.
    24. Sunil Mithas & Zhi‐Long Chen & Terence J.V. Saldanha & Alysson De Oliveira Silveira, 2022. "How will artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 emerging technologies transform operations management?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4475-4487, December.
    25. Joseph E. Stiglitz, 2000. "The Contributions of the Economics of Information to Twentieth Century Economics," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 115(4), pages 1441-1478.
    26. Katila, Riitta & Mang, Paul Y., 2003. "Exploiting technological opportunities: the timing of collaborations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 317-332, February.
    27. Kietzmann, Jan H. & Hermkens, Kristopher & McCarthy, Ian P. & Silvestre, Bruno S., 2011. "Social media? Get serious! Understanding the functional building blocks of social media," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 54(3), pages 241-251, May.
    28. Archibugi, Daniele, 2017. "Blade Runner economics: Will innovation lead the economic recovery?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(3), pages 535-543.
    29. Liu, Zhenyuan & Geng, Ruoqi & Tse, Ying Kei (Mike) & Han, Shuihua, 2023. "Mapping the relationship between social media usage and organizational performance: A meta-analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    30. Atthaphon Mumi & Michael Obal & Yi Yang, 2019. "Investigating social media as a firm’s signaling strategy through an IPO," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(3), pages 631-645, October.
    31. Jiabao Lin & Zhimei Luo & Jose Benitez & Xin (robert) Luo & Aleš Popovič, 2021. "Why do organizations leverage social media to create business value? An external factor-centric empirical investigation," Post-Print hal-03413223, HAL.
    32. Platania, Federico & Hernandez, C. Toscano & Arreola, Fernanda, 2022. "Social media communication during natural disasters and the impact on the agricultural market," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    33. Tsao, Yu-Chung & Chen, Yu-Kai & Chiu, Shih-Hao & Lu, Jye-Chyi & Vu, Thuy-Linh, 2022. "An innovative demand forecasting approach for the server industry," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Roma, Paolo & Aloini, Davide, 2019. "How does brand-related user-generated content differ across social media? Evidence reloaded," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 322-339.
    2. Raassens, N. & Haans, Hans, 2017. "NPS and online WOM investigating the relationship between customers’ promoter scores and eWOM behavior," Other publications TiSEM 931e7761-7c6e-40ee-8976-2, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Kick, Markus, 2015. "Social Media Research: A Narrative Review," EconStor Preprints 182506, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    4. Andrew M. Davis & Vishal Gaur & Dayoung Kim, 2021. "Consumer Learning from Own Experience and Social Information: An Experimental Study," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 67(5), pages 2924-2943, May.
    5. Yucheng Zhang & Zhiling Wang & Lin Xiao & Lijun Wang & Pei Huang, 2023. "Discovering the evolution of online reviews: A bibliometric review," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Liuan Wang & Lu (Lucy) Yan & Tongxin Zhou & Xitong Guo & Gregory R. Heim, 2020. "Understanding Physicians’ Online-Offline Behavior Dynamics: An Empirical Study," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 31(2), pages 537-555, June.
    7. Khim-Yong Goh & Cheng-Suang Heng & Zhijie Lin, 2013. "Social Media Brand Community and Consumer Behavior: Quantifying the Relative Impact of User- and Marketer-Generated Content," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 24(1), pages 88-107, March.
    8. Yabing Jiang & Hong Guo, 2012. "Design of Consumer Review Systems and Product Pricing," Working Papers 12-10, NET Institute.
    9. Fredriksen, Kaja & Runst, Petrik & Bizer, Kilian, 2017. "Masterful Meisters? Voluntary Certification and Quality in the German Crafts Sector," ifh Working Papers 3 (2017), Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh), revised 2017.
    10. Mingfeng Lin & Nagpurnanand R. Prabhala & Siva Viswanathan, 2013. "Judging Borrowers by the Company They Keep: Friendship Networks and Information Asymmetry in Online Peer-to-Peer Lending," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 59(1), pages 17-35, August.
    11. Dominik Gutt & Jürgen Neumann & Steffen Zimmermann & Dennis Kundisch & Jianqing Chen, 2018. "Design of Review Systems - A Strategic Instrument to shape Online Review Behavior and Economic Outcomes," Working Papers Dissertations 42, Paderborn University, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
    12. Guha Majumder, Madhumita & Dutta Gupta, Sangita & Paul, Justin, 2022. "Perceived usefulness of online customer reviews: A review mining approach using machine learning & exploratory data analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 147-164.
    13. Peter Klein & Per Bylund, 2014. "The place of Austrian economics in contemporary entrepreneurship research," The Review of Austrian Economics, Springer;Society for the Development of Austrian Economics, vol. 27(3), pages 259-279, September.
    14. Athni, Aditya, 2017. "Contextual, emotional and behavioural influences of YouTube product review videos and official advertisements on consumers," Journal of Applied Leadership and Management, Hochschule Kempten - University of Applied Sciences, Professional School of Business & Technology, vol. 5, pages 27-34.
    15. Rishikesh Bhaiswar & N. Meenakshi & Deepak Chawla, 2021. "Evolution of Electronic Word of Mouth: A Systematic Literature Review Using Bibliometric Analysis of 20 Years (2000–2020)," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 10(3), pages 215-231, September.
    16. Dominik Gutt, 2018. "In the Eye of the Beholder? Empirically Decomposing Different Economic Implications of the Online Rating Variance," Working Papers Dissertations 40, Paderborn University, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
    17. Chen, Jie & Teng, Lefa & Yu, Ying & Yu, Xueer, 2016. "The effect of online information sources on purchase intentions between consumers with high and low susceptibility to informational influence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 467-475.
    18. Hossin Md Altab & Mu Yinping & Hosain Md Sajjad & Adasa Nkrumah Kofi Frimpong & Michelle Frempomaa Frempong & Stephen Sarfo Adu-Yeboah, 2022. "Understanding Online Consumer Textual Reviews and Rating: Review Length With Moderated Multiple Regression Analysis Approach," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, June.
    19. Kaja Fredriksen & Petrik Runst & Kilian Bizer, 2019. "Masterful Meisters? Voluntary Certification and Quality in the German Crafts Sector," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 20(1), pages 83-104, February.
    20. Supratim Kundu & Swapnajit Chakraborti, 2022. "A comparative study of online consumer reviews of Apple iPhone across Amazon, Twitter and MouthShut platforms," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 925-950, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:132:y:2024:i:c:s0166497224000208. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01664972 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.