Consumers' (ir)responsible shopping during emergencies: drivers and concerns
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
; 51(6):791-806, 2023.
Article
in English
| ProQuest Central | ID: covidwho-2326099
ABSTRACT
PurposeDuring emergencies and times of widespread social fear, such as wars and epidemics, society witnesses many instances of consumer misbehaviour (e.g. panic buying). Therefore, this study aims to understand what drives consumers to enact socially irresponsible while shopping during emergencies.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a quantitative approach with 400 responses from consumers who shopped during the pandemic.FindingsResults show a positive relationship between consumers' awareness of the negative social consequences of shopping misbehaviour and their ascription of responsibility, which is positively moderated by death-by-emergency-related anxiety. Ascription of responsibility, in turn, has a positive impact on socially responsible behaviour.Originality/valueThis research is the first to examine new applications of norm activation theory in retailing. Furthermore, this research is the first to extend the theory by examining psychological factors that may regulate socially irresponsible behaviour. The research demonstrates the significant role of anxiety and attachment in facilitating the impact of awareness of negative consequences and aspirations of responsibility in the retailing during emergencies.
Business And Economics--Marketing And Purchasing; Emergency; Consumers' misbehaviour; Norm activation theory; Terror management theory; Store attachment; Anxiety; Consumer behavior; Consumers; Emergencies; Values; Society; Pandemics; Medical research; Retail stores; Shopping; Norms; Tourism; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Ukraine
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
ProQuest Central
Language:
English
Journal:
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
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