Consumer Information Search Behavior Research Articles

Men on a mission, women on a journey - Gender differences in consumer information search behavior via SNS: The perceived value perspective

Gender has a considerable effect on how consumers search for information, shaping their behavior through a variety of motives. Previous research shows that the benefit consumers wish to gain from the information influences their search behavior on social networking sites (SNS). This study examines the extent to which gender influences the connection between perceived information values and the choice of SNS information source: commercial (marketer-generated content) and non-commercial (user-generated content). A representative Facebook users' sample (N = 525) and SEM statistics show gender differences in search behavior on SNS. Findings also demonstrate the impact of gender on the relationships between information values and preferred source of information, and demonstrate different motivations for male and female search behavior. The implications for both theory and practice are presented and analyzed.

An empirical investigation into information search behaviour of Indian consumers

An empirical investigation into information search behaviour of Indian consumers

An empirical investigation into information search behaviour of Indian consumers

An empirical investigation into information search behaviour of Indian consumers

The Whole Is More than Its Parts: A Multidimensional Construct of Values in Consumer Information Search Behavior on SNS

The notion of consumer values has been a key factor in understanding consumer behavior and has attracted the attention of various scholars in e-commerce. The aims of this study are to conceptualize a multidimensional construct of consumer information value (CIV) on social network sites (SNS), to examine the construct empirically, and to investigate the nature of its relationships with consumer information search behavior, i.e., the use of information channels on SNS. Quantitative research was conducted using a representative sample of 612 Facebook users. The use of a higher-order construct and structural equation modeling procedures reveals that the following five value constructs—Economic, Psychological, Social, Functional and Hedonic values—are significant facets of the CIV. It suggests that the CIV model is a powerful tool that directly explains consumer information search behavior and has better explanatory power than the sum of its parts.

A Qualitative Inquiry on Information Search Behaviour for Services In India

The service sector is the strongest pillar of any economy and offers tremendous opportunities for research. Information search behaviour for services has been a relatively underexplored area of research, particularly in emerging economies like India. The present study investigated the information search behaviour of consumers for search, experience, and credence services. The study was qualitative in nature and used interviewing and focus group discussion method to probe search behaviour. Data were collected in the Delhi–NCR region in India during the year 2019. Thematic analysis using constant comparison method was performed on the data. The study revealed that consumers exhibited different search behaviour for different types of services. Least efforts were expended for services rich in search attributes. Internet emerged as a popular source of information search for all the services. Age had a substantial impact on search behaviour. Quality of information was a major concern among consumers. This study contributes in broadening the understanding of information search behaviour of consumers of developing economies.

Influence of Price Level and Perceived Price Dispersion on Consumer Information Search Behaviour: Moderating Effect of Durables and Consumables

The methods consumers use to reduce their perceived risk and make reasonable purchase decisions can be synthesized under the umbrella term “consumer information search behavior” (CISB). As one key factor that conveys a product’s value and quality, price has a significant impact on CISB. There are few studies that comprehensively consider the impact of price level (PL) and perceived price dispersion (PPD) on CISB, and there is a certain disagreement about the impact of PPD specific to the online shopping environment. To address this research gap, we construct a model using the data from 5515 consumers’ purchasing and browsing behavior on a B2C e-commerce website, selecting six products as our research objects. We use a hierarchical regression analysis method to study the influence of product PL and PPD on CISB, and to explore the moderating effect of product categories (durables and consumables) on the relationship between PL, PPD and CISB. The results show that PL significantly affects CISB, and that product categories have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between PL and CISB. For durable goods, when the PL is high, consumers tend to increase their search behavior, both in depth and in breadth, and for consumables with low PL but higher purchase frequency, consumers likewise tend to increase their search behavior. In the B2C online shopping environment, PPD has a significant positive effect on CISB, and product category has a moderating effect on the relationship between PPD and CISB. When consumers purchase consumables, the higher the PPD, the higher the depth of CISB. The findings have several implications for marketing practitioners and enterprises advertising, also can help customers save time and energy in their search behaviors.

Information Searching in the Residential Solar PV Market

This paper examines the consumer information search behavior of households in San Diego County with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. We focus on whether solar PV households financing the technology through third-party ownership (TPO) versus host-ownership (HO), which is equivalent to leasing or buying goods in other markets, have heterogeneous preferences as reflected by information search. Conditional on adoption, we find that TPO households tend to seek more information on home modifications required for solar installation whereas HO households seek more information on the financial returns of solar investments. These preferences may be correlated with the consumption of other goods and services, and thus, if used to inform marketing strategies, our results could help reduce solar PV customer acquisition costs and accelerate technology diffusion. They also have indirect implications for marketing goods and services in other contexts where consumers exhibit similar preferences.

구매전 정보탐색 노력과 정보원 의존도에 따른 홈패션 제품 구매 평가기준의 차이

The purpose of this study is to confirm that the evaluation criteria for purchasing home-fashion products can vary depending on the information searching behavior. An online survey was conducted to collect data and 257 responses were analyzed in total using exploratory factor analysis, MANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and t-test via SPSS 21.0. The results showed that the purchase evaluation criteria have five sub-dimensions: brand reputation, brand value, price fit, functional performance, and design superiority. According to the results of MANOVA, marketer-driven information source dependency affected brand reputation, brand value, price fit, and design superiority, and there was a significant interaction effect between pre-purchase information search effort and marketer-driven information source dependency on design superiority. Consumer-driven information source dependency significantly affected brand reputation, brand value, and design superiority. The interaction effect between information search effort and consumer-driven information source dependency on price fit was revealed. This study implies that marketer-driven or consumer-driven information source dependency affects how consumers evaluate products and consumers choose the criteria based on their information search. This study provides academic and practical implications regarding the evaluation of home fashion product criteria based on consumer information search behavior.

The effects of prior reviews on perceived review helpfulness: A configuration perspective

Understanding what makes a review helpful is important for consumers and online review management. Previous studies have explored the effects of review attributes, with the underlying assumption being that consumers assess each review independently of prior reviews of the product. Drawing on configuration theory and the literature on prior knowledge influencing consumer information search behavior, we propose that there should be a fit between prior reviews and focal review attributes in determining perceived review helpfulness. Using data from Amazon, we empirically demonstrate their complex interdependency through fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. The results show that descriptive reviews with more words and moderate ratings are perceived as more helpful when all prior reviews have been posted recently, while evaluative reviews with extreme ratings are more helpful when prior reviews exhibit greater disagreement. Our findings help reconcile some conflicting results in the previous literature and provide guidance on review management.

An Empirical Study on the Impact of Micro-credit Marketing on Consumer Information Search Behavior

With the continuous growth of WeChat users, many merchants use micromessaging platform as an important channel for marketing promotion. Based on TRA and TPB theory, this paper puts forward the relationship between perceived risk, product knowledge, interaction, information quality, Psychological impact on consumer search behavior and explore the impact of private relations on the two, build the model and put forward the relevant assumptions, through the questionnaire survey and empirical analysis to verify the model and assumptions, according to the results for the WeChat business to provide marketing recommendations to help WeChat marketing benign development.

Consumer Pre-purchase Search in Online Shopping: Role of Offline and Online Information Sources

Pre-purchase information search is an integral part of consumer decision-making process and buying behavior. Understanding consumer information search behavior is vital for organizations in order to plan their communication strategy and reach consumers effectively. Though consumer information search behavior is extensively studied in traditional brick and mortar purchase situations, there is dearth of research in understanding consumer information search behavior in online shopping occasions. Given the rapid growth in electronic retail over the last few years, it is imperative to understand consumer information search behavior in online buying situations. This study investigates the factors that influence the extent of usage of different information sources in pre-purchase information search by online shoppers through an empirical research among 1079 online shoppers. The analysis of data using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) shows that consumers tend to use both traditional offline information sources and online information sources when they shop online. However, the preference for different online and offline information sources is likely to be different for hedonic and utilitarian products. Individual factors, such as Internet usage experience, need for cognition and age, also tend to influence consumer preference for different online and offline sources. This has important implications for e-marketers as they may need to use different communication channels depending on the nature of the product and the characteristics of their target consumers to effectively promote their offerings.

Individual differences in consumer information search for services: A multiple mediation study

The study examines the role of individual differences in the information search behaviour of consumers for experience services. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the quantitative data obtained from the 268 consumers selected for a cross-sectional survey in a major northern city of India. Results revealed that consumers’ optimum stimulation levels are positively related to their self-confidence and motivation to search and subsequently have a significant indirect effect on their information search efforts. Consumer self-confidence and motivation to search mediate the relationship between the optimum stimulation level and search effort. The study offers insights into the role of consumers’ individual differences in information search. Consumers engaged in variety-seeking behaviour are more confident in their decision making and search for abundant information before buying a service. Thus, marketers should attempt to provide extensive and varying information to such consumers.

Consumer information search behavior and purchasing decisions: Empirical evidence from Korea

Recently, Internet activity by consumers adopting innovation or purchasing products has increased markedly. To understand this phenomenon, our study focuses on the correlation between purchase behavior and search activity. Utilizing the product classifications established in previous studies, we classify physical products into durable, nondurable, and industrial goods. We then empirically analyze case studies to determine the correlation between Internet searches and product purchases. Our research results show that the correlation between sales and search traffic is more significant for consumer goods than for industrial goods; furthermore, in the consumer goods category, search traffic is a particularly strong predictor of sales in the case of consumer durable goods. These results may be self-evident, implicit in the definition of each product category. However, the presented findings confirm that even among nondurable goods, search traffic can be a significant predictor of purchases, depending on both price and frequency of purchases. In contrast, for durable goods, search traffic may not be strongly indicative of actual purchases for new products, for which traffic simply reflects rising interest. We also show that PC searches are a stronger predictor of sales than mobile searches. The conclusions drawn from this study provide an important foundation for effectively using search statistics in technology business management to formulate marketing strategies as well as to forecast and analyze the adoption of new technology based on real-time monitoring of the changing involvement with each product.

Information search behaviour of service consumers: Review and future directions

Information search behaviour of service consumers: Review and future directions

The effect of sustainability on the information search behaviour of Hungarian consumers through the practice of food purchasing

In the study we aim to model the information search behaviour of Hungarian consumers committed to sustainable consumption through the practice of food purchasing. To reach our goal we examined the logic of Grunert-Wills information search model.In our research the information search behaviour of “Trend followers” was investigated. To reach the mentioned group, data collection was carried out by the method of quota sampling, where quotas were defined according to characteristics of value system based lifestyle segments discovered in a 2011 national representative research by us. Through the analysis one-variable statistics and contingency table analysis were carried out.Our results prove the followings: (i) the logic of Grunert-Wills model is suitable for describing the information search behaviour of conscious consumers. (ii) Lifestyle has a highlighted effect on information search behaviour.

Impact of celebrity endorsements in disease-specific direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects on consumer response between disease-specific advertising containing a celebrity compared to a non-celebrity endorser. Design/methodology/approach – A randomized, cross-sectional two (endorser type) by two (levels of disease state involvement) factorial design was used. Respondents (over the age of 18) were randomly shown one of the ad types and then responded to an online survey questionnaire containing questions and various scales measuring disease state involvement, endorser credibility, attitude toward the ad and company, attention to the ad, behavioral intentions and information search behavior. The disease-specific ad stimuli modeled the form of current print direct-to-consumer ads and were created following recent Food and Drug Administration guidelines, with the only difference being the specific pictorial used (celebrity versus non-celebrity). Findings – While endorser type did not significantly affect consumer attitudes, behavioral intentions and information search behavior, level of disease state involvement, though, did. More highly involved consumers had more positive attitudes, behavioral intentions and greater information search behavior. Originality/value – While consumers paid more attention to the celebrity-containing ads and viewed them as more credible, this did not translate into significant effects on the outcome dependent variables of consumer attitudes toward the ad and company, behavioral intentions and information search behavior. As previous literature has suggested, level of disease state involvement was a significant predictor of respondent outcomes. Overall, pharmaceutical manufacturers might want to re-evaluate using a celebrity endorser in disease-specific ads, as this research shows the benefits/outcomes may not justify the cost.

An experimental examination of consumer attitudes, behavioral intentions, and information search behavior after viewing a predictive genetic test direct‐to‐consumer advertisement

PurposePredictive genetic tests (PGTs) have greatly increased their presence in the market, and, much like their pharmaceutical peers, companies offering PGTs have increasingly used direct‐to‐consumer advertising as part of their promotional strategy. Given many PGTs are available without a prescription or physician order and the lack of empirical research examining the effects of PGT‐DTC, this paper seeks to examine consumer attitudes, intentions, and behavior in response to a PGT‐DTC ad with and without a prescription requirement.Design/methodology/approachA single factor, between subjects online survey design with the presence or absence of a prescription requirement as the experimental variable was used to evaluate consumers' attitudes, intentions, and behavior in response to a predictive genetic test DTC advertisement. A minimum sample size of 198 was determined a priori and 206 surveys were completed within five hours of deployment to 600 randomly selected general consumer participants for a response rate of 34.3 percent (206/600), with 106 in the prescription requirement group and 100 in the non‐prescription group. Descriptive statistics, t‐tests, and chi‐square techniques were used to examine the various dependent variables (consumer attitudes, behavioral intentions, and the pre‐defined behavior measure) and their differences.FindingsOverall, consumers hold favorable attitudes to PGT‐DTC ads, but did not intend to engage in physician discussion, take the test or perform information search behavior. The effect of a prescription requirement was not significant, as no differences were seen with the attitude and behavioral intention dependent variables.Originality/valueAt this still relatively young point in the PGT cycle, consumers still seem to be skeptical about the value of predictive genetic tests and their associated DTC advertisements.

Using Regression and Correlation Approach to Assess Information Search Behaviour of FMCG Consumers

This study uses regression analysis to determine the effect of demographic characteristics on information search behaviour of FMCG consumers so as to extract the most influential demographic element influencing the information search behaviour. Further correlation matrix is used to analyse the interdependence of demographic variables. Finally marketing implications are suggested.

Does personality predict tourism information search and feedback behaviour?

There is little research on how personality traits influence information search and feedback behaviour of tourism information consumers. Using various online and offline information and feedback sources, this study contributes to the literature by considering how personality influences Taiwanese view pre-trip and on-site information sources’ ability to provide desired information before and during the trip and whether post-trip feedback channels are suitable feedback instruments. Even though personality alone may not fully explain tourism information search behaviour, hierarchical regression analyses showed the usefulness of Big Five personality traits in this aspect. Openness to experience and conscientiousness traits particularly stood out. Openness to experience significantly affects perception of word-of-mouth-related sources and conscientiousness for less accessible sources. Extraversion and neuroticism negatively predict popular culture sources. These outcomes might be due to the attributes of information sources or feedback channels.

Exploring Antecedents of Consumers' Willingness to Depend on E-Health Information

Previous research on online health (e-health) information was primarily focused on consumer information search behavior and information quality. Although studies addressing online information quality have flourished, they have yet to thoroughly examine whether consumers actually use the information they search. The purspose of this study suggests a conceptual framework that examines the potential antecedents of a consumers’ willingness to depend on e-health information as an indicator of the consumer’s trust of the provided e-health information. The proposed antecedents include healthcare product involvement, online skill level, perceived quality, and credibility of the source. Using structural equation modeling on online survey data, seven hypotheses, which describe the relationships between the variables of the model, were tested. The results indicate that consumer willingness to depend on provided e-health information was significantly influenced by the consumers’ perceived quality and credibility of specific e-health information. Consumer involvement in healthcare and their online skill-level, respectively, also positively related to perceived quality and credibility regarding e-health information.