Ting Chi

Anaerobic digestion (AD) offers a potential route for integrating biodegradable plastics (BDPs) into circular agricultural waste management, but suitability depends on conversion of the complete material under practical digestion conditions. This review evaluates BDP compatibility with AD and engineering strategies to improve treatment. BDP conversion in AD generally requires depolymerization and hydrolysis to soluble products, initiated by surface microbial or enzymatic attack for some polymers, followed by microbial conversion to methane. The rate and extent of conversion depend on polymer chemistry and structure, crystallinity, chain mobility, hydrophilicity, material form and formulation, digestion temperature, and anaerobic microbial activity. Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) show high compatibility, while thermoplastic starch (TPS) and accessible cellulose-based materials undergo substantial conversion. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is strongly hydrolysis-limited under mesophilic conditions, whereas poly(caprolactone) (PCL) shows pronounced temperature-dependent conversion, with thermophilic conditions generally improving degradation. Poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) converts more readily than poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) but remains incomplete without pretreatment. PBS and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) are poorly compatible. Polymer blends are often limited by their least-degradable major fractions. Fragmentation or mass loss does not indicate complete conversion, and polymer persistence does not necessarily indicate process instability. Reactor configuration and treatment should therefore target polymer-specific limitations through controlled co-digestion and loading, optimized particle size, targeted pretreatment, microbial acclimation or enrichment, appropriate temperature and staging, and AD-oriented material formulation.

Purpose: This study compared two 3D computer-aided design (CAD) systems, Browzwear VStitcher (Program A) and Clo3D (Program B), to evaluate their perceived simulation performance and fit similarity for customized dresses across diverse body shapes and sizes. Design/methodology/approach: Using Davis’s (1989) Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as an interpretive framework, the study examined the participants’ perceptions of the usefulness of the simulation results and the researchers’ observations of workflow characteristics related to ease of use. Fifteen participants with patternmaking and 3D simulation experience evaluated eight virtual dresses developed using both programs against four corresponding physical garments. Evaluations focused on participants’ visual assessments of customized dresses, avatar representation, fabric drape and overall fit, supported by quantitative and qualitative analyses. Findings: Program A varied significantly across the four models for four of 21 criteria, whereas Program B varied for one, indicating greater consistency in Program B. Program B was rated significantly more favorably for Model 4’s back-armhole fit and Model 1’s avatar posture. Several other comparisons showed moderate-to-large effect sizes but did not reach statistical significance after Holm-Bonferroni correction. Participants also noted unrealistic fabric smoothness and avatar proportion discrepancies, highlighting workflow-specific strengths and limitations. Originality/value: This study provides a user-centered comparison of two apparel simulation systems in customized dress development, using TAM as an interpretive framework alongside a multidimensional assessment of virtual garments to inform sustainable workflows.

This study examines how fashion brands' PR package gifting to social media influencers shapes consumer perceptions of sustainability. Guided by Consumer Culture Theory, it analyzes TikTok unboxing videos and 34,000+ comments using netnography. Findings show that gifting is driven by aesthetics and relationships, while sustainability discussion is minimal, with fewer than 1% of comments mentioning environmental concerns. PR packaging acts as a symbolic resource through which consumers interpret identity, morality, and authenticity. This research extends sustainability and social media scholarship by highlighting incidental sustainability signaling embedded in mainstream influencer marketing rather than explicit environmental messaging.

The field of electronic commerce has entered a new phase of accelerated transformation

Purpose: This study addresses the fragmented understanding of factors driving consumer behavior in omnichannel (OC) retailing by synthesizing and analyzing antecedents through a meta-analysis, offering a comprehensive framework to resolve inconsistencies and integrate cultural and product-specific distinctions. Design/methodology/approach: This meta-analysis synthesizes data from 81 articles (86 studies) using the Meta-Essentials Excel tool to analyze effect sizes and moderation effects, uncovering consistent patterns and contextual variations in omnichannel (OC) consumer behavior. Findings: Four groups of antecedents—extrinsic cognitive, intrinsic cognitive, affective, and mixed cognitive-affective factors—emerge as key drivers of consumer behavior. Notable antecedents include channel integration, personalization, ease of use, usefulness, compatibility, hedonism, satisfaction, and consumer engagement. The effects show significant differences between the pre-purchase and post-purchase stages. Moderating effects of cultural dimensions (e.g. individualism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance) and product types (fashion versus non-fashion) further illuminate contextual variations in consumer behavior. Practical implications: The findings offer actionable insights for researchers and practitioners by providing targeted strategies to optimize OC services. Retailers can tailor services and shopping experiences to align with diverse cultural contexts and product categories. Originality/value: This study consolidates and advances the current understanding of OC retailing by integrating empirical findings from prior research and establishing a foundation for refined theoretical models. It highlights cultural and product-specific moderators, paving the way for more nuanced and actionable OC strategies.

In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a significant transformation driven by digital innovations, particularly with the emergence of the digital retail theater (DRT). A DRT integrates augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 3D modeling to create immersive shopping experiences that bridge the physical and digital worlds. This study specifically focuses on apparel DRTs and investigates the key factors influencing U.S. consumers’ intention to adopt this technology. Drawing on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and perceived risk theory, we developed and tested an integrative research model. Primary data were collected through a structured online survey administered via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). A total of 400 valid responses were obtained from U.S. consumers. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results indicate that effort expectancy (ease of use), facilitating conditions (technical infrastructure), physical risk (concerns about potential harm), and time/convenience loss risk significantly influence consumers’ intention to adopt apparel DRTs. Surprisingly, performance expectancy and social influence were not significant predictors of DRT adoption. These findings provide valuable insights for apparel retailers, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly designs, robust technical infrastructure, and minimizing perceived risks to foster DRT adoption.