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Voice bots on the frontline: Voice-based interfaces enhance flow-like consumer experiences & boost service outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Naim Zierau

    (University of St.Gallen)

  • Christian Hildebrand

    (University of St.Gallen)

  • Anouk Bergner

    (University of St.Gallen)

  • Francesc Busquet

    (University of St.Gallen)

  • Anuschka Schmitt

    (University of St.Gallen)

  • Jan Marco Leimeister

    (University of St.Gallen
    University of Kassel)

Abstract

Voice-based interfaces provide new opportunities for firms to interact with consumers along the customer journey. The current work demonstrates across four studies that voice-based (as opposed to text-based) interfaces promote more flow-like user experiences, resulting in more positively-valenced service experiences, and ultimately more favorable behavioral firm outcomes (i.e., contract renewal, conversion rates, and consumer sentiment). Moreover, we also provide evidence for two important boundary conditions that reduce such flow-like user experiences in voice-based interfaces (i.e., semantic disfluency and the amount of conversational turns). The findings of this research highlight how fundamental theories of human communication can be harnessed to create more experiential service experiences with positive downstream consequences for consumers and firms. These findings have important practical implications for firms that aim at leveraging the potential of voice-based interfaces to improve consumers’ service experiences and the theory-driven “conversational design” of voice-based interfaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Naim Zierau & Christian Hildebrand & Anouk Bergner & Francesc Busquet & Anuschka Schmitt & Jan Marco Leimeister, 2023. "Voice bots on the frontline: Voice-based interfaces enhance flow-like consumer experiences & boost service outcomes," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 823-842, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joamsc:v:51:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11747-022-00868-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11747-022-00868-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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