ABSTRACT
For decades, the Philippines have been benefiting from brick-and-mortar shops but have altered dramatically after the COVID-19 pandemic. As the globe transitions to a new normal, this study aims to determine the factors that influence e-Shopping and online shopping. Specifically, it investigates the buyers’ characteristics in relation to their shopping preferences by utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. A total of 277 Filipinos answered the survey questionnaire, which contained 39 questions. The results of SEM indicated that buyers’ characteristics have a mediating effect on influence factors – environment, which identified that customers’ features include status shoppers, brand conscious, and recreational shoppers. Customers’ primary concern in online shopping is payment security and privacy, while others prefer to buy products online due to accessibility and convenience. Some brand conscious customers consider physical contact with products in shopping. On the other hand, the result also showed that influence factors – product and influence factors – environment have no significant direct effect on customer shopping preference. But customers find that orders are easy to place, 24 hours accessibility and several payment options are advantages in an online shopping interface. In contrast, the ability to touch the product, immediate availability of the product, and sales assistance are the advantages of in-store shopping. © IEOM Society International.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally and its impact cause many brick-and-mortar retailers including grocery stores to develop different strategies to operate amidst pandemic which includes revamping the area of facility management and layout, systems design and retail marketing. The objective of the study is (1) determine the relationship between the perceived COVID-19 effects and the buying expectations and preference of grocery customers, (2) determine the significance of the New Normal grocery operations strategy elements and practices and its moderating effect on the grocery customer buying expectations and preferences in view of the Covid-19 repercussions and (3) recommend a grocery operations strategy implementation platform to address the new buying preferences and expectations of grocery customers toward the new normal. With a sample size of 303 respondents of various individual that have experience buying grocery during pandemic answered the online questionnaire. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the result of the study showed that the COVID-19 effect have direct significant to the buying expectations and preference of grocery customers. Additionally the New Normal grocery operations strategy elements and practices also have significant direct effect to the buying expectations and preference of grocery customers. © IEOM Society International.
ABSTRACT
Public transportation provides a cost-effective commute for people to reach their destination. In the Philippines, it is dominated by road vehicles such as jeepneys, taxicabs, Asian utility vehicles, and tricycles, with most if not all, commuters go via multiple carriers for the daily routine. The highly contagious coronavirus has put the world on high alert when it comes to touching high contact public surfaces. When it comes to paying for public transport services by cash, contact is inevitably unavoidable. Recent studies have concluded that the coronavirus can persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 3 days depending on the conditions. Interest would be on how drivers and passengers can be protected in the age of coronavirus and beyond. With the growing concern over the safety of drivers and commuters, it would be much advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission. With no obvious end to the outbreak in sight, the study delved on the feasibility of applying the cashless payment system for the multi-carrier commuting public. Results provided a better understanding of the complexities, issues, requisites and benefits of a Multi-Carrier Contactless Payment System for public transportation and all its stakeholders. © IEOM Society International.