The Janus Face of avatars on e-tail Websites: ethical considerations in the use of avatars as retail salesperson agents.

K Keeling, Peter McGoldrick, D Christodoulou

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Current usage of the term ???Janus face??? are concerned with paradoxes, polarities and contrasts and/or deception. It is in the nature of transitions that there is likely to be a lack of a legal framework specific to the new conditions. This is the ???ethical lag??? where the speed of technological change exceeds that of ethical development. Hence, on one side, there is the potential for avatar agents to provide a better customer experience, and on the other, there is concern that unregulated use of manipulative social interaction involved in collaborative, competitive or negotiation situations may result in abuses of customer privacy, security, and undue influence on purchase decisions. This paper deals with the ethical aspects of using avatars in ecommerce and their potential for becoming manipulative salespersons or reassuring presences on an e-commerce website.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th Annual International Workshop on Presence
Place of PublicationPadova
PublisherCLEUP
Publication statusPublished - 17 Oct 2008
EventEthics of Presence Technologies, 11th Annual International Workshop on Presence, - Padova
Duration: 1 Jan 1824 → …

Conference

ConferenceEthics of Presence Technologies, 11th Annual International Workshop on Presence,
CityPadova
Period1/01/24 → …

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Janus Face of avatars on e-tail Websites: ethical considerations in the use of avatars as retail salesperson agents.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this