Questions & answers
Questions & answers
- Do recommender systems always help people choose better?
- Not always. An agent too specialized on past taste can narrow options and reduce discovery: relevance must be balanced with novelty. doi.org/10.1177/10499968251358181
- Does the source (human or AI) change consumer choice?
- Yes. Trust and reactions differ depending on whether the recommendation comes from a human or an AI, and the effect depends on product type. California Management Review (2024)
- What are 'weak ties' in recommendation algorithms?
- They are indirect connections between products and people generated by algorithms. They often drive discovery more than obvious links, and are studied with network analysis. doi.org/10.1108/EJM-02-2024-0136
- Can a brand crisis be anticipated?
- Partly. The framework detects weak signals — emotion and mobilization — in online discourse before public recognition. It's a reference pattern, not a guaranteed forecast. Working paper (PRIN 2022)
- Do nutrition labels really work?
- Their design affects comprehension, trust and choices, with differences across formats and countries. More informative labels support more conscious choices. doi.org/10.1108/EJM-10-2021-0764
- Nutri-Score or NutrInform: which works better?
- It depends on consumer understanding and liking. In a 20-country comparison the two formats show different strengths: there's no absolute winner, but effects that vary by context. doi.org/10.3390/nu15132852
- Do European labeling policies have an effect?
- Policy initiatives shape how consumers read and use front-of-pack labels: studying them helps design more effective rules. doi.org/10.3390/nu14163423
- Does blockchain increase consumer trust?
- It can, but only when it closes a real credibility gap and is well communicated. Technology alone isn't enough — how it's framed matters. doi.org/10.1002/mar.21855
- Does blockchain work in the food supply chain?
- Yes, as a signal of traceability and transparency: when perceived as credible, it supports trust and purchase intention, as shown in dairy and agri-food cases. doi.org/10.1007/s43039-022-00061-0
- Does the metaverse create value for luxury brands?
- Yes, if it extends (rather than replaces) the physical experience. Value comes from phygital design blending digital and real. doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2024-0248
- Is the metaverse suited to sustainable fashion?
- It can trigger strong emotional responses toward high-end products, but the medium matters: the experience varies a lot across settings. Sinergie-SIMA (2023)
- How do you build a brand story in luxury?
- With transparency and uniqueness: the right words matter as much as the product. Coherent storytelling strengthens perceived authenticity. Fondazione CUEIM (2025)
- What happens when AI writes the advertising?
- AI in advertising can affect perceived brand authenticity: used carelessly, it risks weakening the very thing it should strengthen. Fondazione CUEIM (2025)
- Are virtual influencers credible?
- Their perceived credibility and engagement depend on how they are designed and presented; they can work, but under rules different from human influencers. SIM Conference (2024)
- Can ChatGPT describe a brand's personality?
- It can surface brand-personality perceptions and consumer reactions (e.g., in automotive), useful as a starting point — to be validated with real data. Sinergie-SIMA (2024)
- How do you measure a company's social impact?
- With a structured approach: economic value generated, environmental and social effects, and a Social ROI computed by area, as in the McDonald's outlets project in Rome. McDonald's Italia project
- What methods do you use in your research?
- Experiments (incl. cross-country), network analysis, text mining and topic modeling, structural equation modeling, mediation/moderation, machine learning and bibliometric analysis.
- How can companies use these findings?
- By monitoring channels they don't control, weighting mobilization signals (not just sentiment), and designing AI recommenders and phygital experiences better.