Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The rapid integration of machine learning has positioned product recommendation chatbots as essential tools in the e-commerce landscape, shaping how consumers engage and make purchasing decisions. Generation Z, as a tech-savvy and AI-adept demographic, plays a central role in this transformation. While prior studies have examined chatbot-consumer interactions, limited research has explored how both personality traits and information source characteristics jointly influence purchase intentions. METHODS: This study develops an integrative framework to assess how the Big Five personality traits-extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness-and key chatbot features-expertise, interactivity, trustworthiness, and customization-affect Generation Z's willingness to purchase chatbot-recommended products. The moderating role of personal innovativeness is also examined. Data were collected from 480 Generation Z chatbot users in China through an online survey and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM), artificial neural networks (ANN), and necessary condition analysis (NCA). RESULTS: Results indicate that extraversion, agreeableness, openness, expertise, interactivity, and customization significantly influence purchase intention. Moreover, personal innovativeness positively moderates the effect of extraversion on purchase intention. DISCUSSION: These findings contribute to the literature by bridging personality psychology and human-AI interaction and offer practical insights for enhancing chatbot effectiveness in e-commerce.