An Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Online Shopping

Abstract Online shop has grown apace in chin certain over the last decade, yet there are only a a couple of(prenominal) studies in Chinese context. This research focuses on B2C (Business to Customer) and C2C (Customer to Customer) to identify the factors that affect online shop invention of consumers in two positive and ban aspects. However, there are well-nigh differences exist that determine online shop function among incompatible countries.As a result, this essay evaluates the determinants of online obtain intention of Chinese consumers by comparing consumers in early(a) countries, which entrust give an insight for online sellers to develop more competitive st arraygies in mainland china. Contents Abstract Introduction1 Literature small review3 1. spherical consumers6 1. 1 Main factors price, convenience and seeks6 1. 2 Additional factors7 2. Chinese consumers8 2. 1 Main factors flavor, delivery and salary security8 2. 2 Additional factors well-disposed influ ence9 Conclusion11 Bibliography14 IntroductionThere are a increment number of people choosing online obtain and this growing turn off has emerged all over the world over the last few decades. Online shop is defined as The act of purchasing products or run over the Inter realise (Business dictionary, 2012). Similarly, iResearch (2011) defines it as The process of transferring commodities or services from the merchant/seller to individual users (consumers) via the mesh. Such a process is called online obtain if any of its capital flow, logistics, or information flow involves the network. Benefiting from the rapid economic growth and the development of the Internet, online obtain has become increasingly universal in mainland China. The amount of transactions in online shop, accounts for 1. 1% in 2008 rising to 3. 3% in 2010 of Chinas total retail sales of consumer goods (CNNIC, 2011). Moreover, the latest report illustrates that up to December 2012, the number of net citizens in China reached 513 million, of which online shoppers are 194 million and the figure has kept a bulletproof development trend with an increase of 20. % compared to the end of 2011 (CNNIC, 2012). It can be seen that online shopping in China has sired a blue growth and demonstrates a great potential when compared to mature online shopping markets, such as the USA, UK and Japan. However, the development of Chinas online shopping has encountered some obstacles, such as the limitations found within delivery and payment systems (Liu, He, Gao, & Xie, 2008, p. 925 & p. 932).Moreover, near research into online shopping has focused on western countries, but very little research has been through in the Chinese context (Kau, Tang, & Ghose, 2003, p. 140 Liu, et al. , 2008, p. 921 So, Wong, & Sculli, 2005, p. 1225). Therefore, in order to reach its potential and to maintain the steady growth tendency of online shopping market in China, it is substantial to attempt to comprehend the issues i nfluencing the online purchase intentions of Chinese consumers.Thus, the purpose of this wallpaper is to identify and evaluate factors that signify the differences between online purchase intentions of Chinese and global online shoppers. This paper is structured as follows. The next section reviews the related literature ab let on the issues relating to online shopping. Section 1 leave identify which factors are prominent or auxiliary and may affect online shopping intention of global consumers temporary hookup section 2 will compare Chinese consumers with global consumers and evaluate the significance of the differences.Literature Review The e-commerce industry has developed rapidly worldwide over the last few decades including the online shopping market in China which has experienced steady growth. Much research has tried to identify what the factors are and how they affect the online shopping purchase intention however, a large proportion of these studies have been concerned about the West while only a few studies have focused on Chinese online shoppers and take into account the heathenceish impact (Kau, et al. , 2003, p. 140 Liu, et al. , 2008, p. 21 So, et al. , 2005, p. 1225). To allow the reader to better understand the factors modify online shopping intention in China, this section will offer academic research reviews regarding this subject, including different theories, influential factors, and concerns relating to cultural differences. Since online shopping has become more popular, it has attracted widespread attention. Different models and theories have been adopted by some(prenominal) researchers to identify and go out the factors affecting online shopping intention or behaviors. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the Technology Acceptance form (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) have been frequently used (So, et al. , 2005, pp. 1226-1228). Chiu, Chang, Cheng and Fang (2009, p. 761) extended TAM by introducing e-service fee l dimensions, trust and enjoyment in the development of a theoretical model to study customers repurchase intentions of online shopping. Similarly, Liao and Shi (2009, p. 5) conducted the related research which is also based on the TAM framework, but combined it with environmental and social constructs to elucidate consumers attitude and behavioural intention to use e-retailing. A number of studies have extensively discussed the factors influencing online shopping intention over many years. Convenience, price savings, extensive information, enjoyment, and broad product selection are considered as major benefits of online shopping (Fang, Chiu, & Wang, 2011 cited Childers et al. , 2001, p. 82). In addition, another research (Liao & Shi, 2009, p. 28) reveals that social influence, such as online consumer reviews or treatment of mouth play a significant role in affecting individual behavioural intention to shop online, which is consistent with the result of the research done by Chung a nd Shin (2010, p. 473) and Lee, Park and Han (2011, p. 187-188). Moreover, many researchers elicit that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of shopping through the Internet are primal antecedents of intentions (Chiu, et al. 2009, p. 763 Fang, et al. , 2011, p. 486 So, et al. , 2005, p. 1238). Even though online shopping brings some benefits to consumers which attract them to shop online, some factors have a negative effect on consumers purchase finish. For example, poor quality products and underdeveloped payment system in particular, many researchers demonstrate that trust is a vital factor for online consumers to make purchase decisions. Xu, Zou and Wang (2006, p. 202) also point out that trust is considered to be the most burning(prenominal) factor.In contrast, an earlier study suggests that in some countries the most important factor is price while trust is not as important as price (Kim, Xu, & Gupta, 2011 cited in Reibstein, 2002, p. 8). Recently, some researcher s have started paying more attention to the Chinese online shopping market and some comparative studies have been conducted in the context of online shopping in China due to the fast development of the Internet and rapid growth sales in online shopping. Areas covered include China and Japan (Atchariyachanvanich & Okada, 2006) and China and the States (Ou, Sia, & Banerjee, 2007).It has been demonstrated that the differences between consumers in China and those in other countries, and namely issues dealing with product quality, logistic pedestal, payment systems and social influence. This section has reviewed literature about the major theories used in research and some factors that research has suggested including the difference between China and other countries. In the following sections, this research will branch and evaluate the dynamic factors and related issues regarding consumers online shopping intentions by comparing China to some other countries. . world(a) consumers With the increasing intensified competition in online shopping, it is more essential than ever for online retailers to understand the factors affecting consumers intention in online shopping, which is critical to success. Therefore, a number of studies focusing on influential factors of online shopping appear in many published conference proceedings and journals. This section will categorize the issues influencing global consumers online shopping intentions. 1. 1 Main factors price, convenience and run a risksThere are some factors which attract consumers to favor online shopping. Firstly, price has long been considered as a significant predictor when customer making a decision and e-commerce allows consumers to compare the prices across different online shops to square up out the cheapest product easily (Kim, et al. , 2011, P. 1). Moreover, compared to conventional retail shops, internet-based shops have a cost advantage as a result, they are able to offer their products at a cheap er price than are available in traditional shops (Atchariyachanvanich & Okada, 2006, p. 281 Liao & Shi, 2009, p. 27). Secondly, many researchers also point out that as well as price the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are important factors to attract consumers to engage in online shopping (Chiu, et al. , 2009, p. 763 Fang, et al. , 2011, p. 486 So, et al. , 2005, p. 1238). For example, online shopping provides the opportunity for consumers to easily locate shops and products, especially convenient for target-oriented consumers who have already decided what they fatality to buy. (Fang, et al. , 2011, p. 485).On the other hand, even though online shopping brings some benefits and attracts some consumers, there are those that are aware of the risks involved and so this may lead to them rejecting it. Kau, Tang and Ghose (2003, p. 141) argue that those risks include lack of security, the possibility of impute entry notification fraud, uncertainty about the quality of p roducts, and return issues when the products are failed to meet consumers expectation. Moreover, due to the distances involved with online shopping and the fact that consumers are unable to touch or see the products seems to be an inherent perception of risk in shopping online (Kim, et al. 2011, p. 1 Kuhlmeier & Knight, 2005, p. 463). 1. 2 Additional factors Apart from the major factors mentioned above, some additional factors influence the intention of online shopping as well. First of all, the amount of availability of extensive information and choices in online shops which the traditional bloodlines are unable to compete with. Therefore, the options of products available in conjunction with the very latest information creation available are a relatively important attractant to online shopping over the traditional retail store (So, Wong and Sculli, 2005, p. 235). In addition, some other influential factors were identified by Kau, Tang and Ghose (2003, p. 140), Atchariyachanvanic h and Okada (2006, p. 2281) , and Fang, Chiu and Wang (2011, p. 482), such as eon saving, time flexibility, real-time marketing offers, sharing other online customer reviews and enjoyment. Furthermore, Kuhlmeier and Knight (2005, p. 463) suggest that the more experience of using internet the more likelihood of the consumer to become an online shopper. 2. Chinese consumersSince neither can the existing cognition of Chinese consumers behaviour on traditional shopping nor the reported findings about online shopping in other countries can be directly applied to the online shopping market in China therefore, marketing strategies gather up to be tailored to the specific market (So, et al. , 2005, p. 1225). This section will highlighting and address any differing issues influencing online shopping intention of Chinese consumers by conducting a comparison between Chinese consumers and consumers in other countries. 2. 1 Main factors quality, delivery and payment security Liu, He, Gao and Xie (2008, p. 31) state that Chinese people are quite an susceptible to price and like negotiating with sellers to achieve a satisfactory deal. Similarly, Atchariyachanvanich and Okada (2006, p. 2283-2285) believe that the main reason why Japanese and Chinese consumers shop online is for cheaper price however, they add that cheaper price is not the most important reason affecting Chinese consumers online purchase intention, Chinese consumers rank the security of the website and the ability to read forward customers reviews at the top. It seems to highlight Chinese online shoppers uncertainty whether the products they buy re genuine and have good quality or not. Beside quality of products, delivery as another essential factor was concerned by Chinese consumers. Just as CNNIC (2012) shows in the 29th report that delivery is one of the main aspects causing consumer dis merriment of online shopping more specifically, 12. 3%, 5% and 3. 6% of Chinese consumers were not satisfied due to delayed delivery, lost or disgraced products and bad attitude of delivery staff respectively. As a matter of fact, Chinese logistic infrastructure lags behind some countries particularly in terms of limited choices of delivery companies and long delivery time.In contrast, the US has a mature and efficient distribution network supporting online shopping, because outsourced third parties can provide professional person services, such as FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. (Ou, et al. , 2007, p. 23). Research carried out by Xu, Zou and Wang (2006, p. 206) shows that online payment security is the most important factor which should be strengthened by e-commerce companies because online shoppers pay more attention to it. Additionally, unsound credit card payment system is more likely to cause financial risk and privacy leakage.In the US, using credit card is the most popular way to pay for online shopping, while in China is still money payment due to the cash-based culture and immature credit card payment system (Ou, et al. , 2007, pp. 21-22). This results from the immature Internet technology which to a large extent impedes the development of online payment system in China. Consequently, the financial risk might be caused by underdevelopment online payment system, which is a significant reason leading to a decision to reject online shopping (Zhou, Dai, & Zhang, 2007, pp. 49 & 55). 2. 2 Additional factors social influenceBased on Hofstedes cultural model, online consumer behaviour can be predicted by five cultural difference dimensions, one of them is individualism collectivism, for instance, America and rude(a) Zealand belong to individualism while China belongs to collectivism. This, in turn, has led to different online shopping behaviour among consumers be to Eastern and Western cultures (Zhou, et al. , 2007, p. 46). Several studies have revealed that people from a collectivist culture should be more easily influenced by people within their social circles (Liao & Shi, 2 009, p. 5). Consequently, social influence should not be neglected in the context of online shopping in China. On the one hand, human interaction cannot be in full satisfied in Internet-based shopping therefore, it may not be easily accepted by Chinese which are more likely to enjoy interacting with others when shopping (So, et al. , 2005, p. 1237). In addition, it is very common in China that one tends to follow if friends or relatives are interested in online shopping (Liao & Shi, 2009, p. 27).Furthermore, online consumer reviews or electronic account book of mouth as a specific way of social influence in the context of online shopping plays an important role in affecting online consumers to make purchase decision (Chung & Shin, 2010, p. 473 Lee, et al. , 2011, p. 188). It seems that social influence is an immensity factor affecting online shopping intention of Chinese consumers. Conclusion This project reviewed literature regarding online shopping issues firstly. It then clas sified some main factors and additional factors which influence global consumers to choose or not choose Internet-based shopping.Specifically, cheaper price and convenience of online shopping have positive effect in affecting global consumers online shopping intentions however, some risks in terms of products, financial and private information are likely to cause the rejection of online shopping. Finally, it acknowledge and assessed the divergent issues affecting Chinese consumers online shopping intention with a comparative approach. Chinese consumers are quite different to global ones due to culture difference and deficiencies within payment and delivery sytems.For example, perheaps because of the high rate of counterfeit and inferior products, Chinese online shoppers pay more attention to the product quality than price. Moreover, in China the logistic infrastructure and payment system are less developed and less mature than in other developed countries and this brings greater fe ar to Chinese consumers to conduct online shopping. Additionally, social influence and associated information from previous consumers who express their opinions online about products and sellers are essential for the Chinese online consumers.As noted above, online shop retailers should not simply bear the existing knowledge about global online consumers to Chinese online shoppers, cultural differences must be taken into account, which is critical to their success and will benefit the development of online shopping market in China. (Words 2507) Bibliography Atchariyachanvanich, K. , & Okada, H. (2006, 17-20 December 2006). A plain on Factors Affecting the Purchasing Process of Online Shopping A Survey in China & Japan. composing presented at the the 7th Asia Pacific Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Conference, Bangkok, Thailand.Chiu, C. M. , Chang, C. C. , Cheng, H. L. , & Fang, Y. H. (2009). Determinants of customer repurchase intention in online shopping. Online Inf ormation Review, 33(4), 761-784. Chung, K. H. , & Shin, J. I. (2010). The antecedents and consequents of relationship quality in internet shopping. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 22(4), 473-491. Fang, Y. H. , Chiu, C. M. , & Wang, E. T. G. (2011). Understanding customerssatisfaction and repurchase intentions An integration of IS success model, trust and justice. Internet Research, 21(4), 479-503. Kau, A. K. , Tang, Y. C.E. , & Ghose, S. (2003). Typology of online shoppers. Jouranal of Consumer Marketing, 20(2), 139-156. Kim, H. -W. , Xu, Y. J. , & Gupta, S. (2011). Which is more important in Internet shopping, perceived price or trust? electronic Commerce Research and Applications. Kuhlmeier, D. , & Knight, G. (2005). Antecedents to internet-based purchasing a multinational study. planetary Marketing Review, 22(4), 460-473. Lee, J. , Park, D. H. , & Han, I. (2011). The different effects of online consumer reviews on consumerspurchase intentions depending on trust in online shopping malls.Internet Research, 21(2), 187-206. Liao, Z. Q. , & Shi, X. P. (2009). Consumer perceptions of internet-based e-retailing an semiempirical research in Hong Kong. Journal of Services Marketing, 23(1), 24-30. Liu, X. , He, M. Q. , Gao, F. , & Xie, P. H. (2008). An empirical study of online shopping customer satisfaction in China a holistic perspective. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 36(11), 919-940. Ou, C. X. J. , Sia, C. L. , & Banerjee, P. (2007). WHAT IS HAMPERING ONLINE SHOPPING IN chinaware?Information Technology Management, 18(1), 16-32. So, W. C. M. , Wong, T. N. D. , & Sculli, D. (2005). Factors affecting intentions to purchase via the internet. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 105(9), 1225-1244. Xu, H. J. , Zou, X. W. , & Wang, H. S. (2006). Consumersattitudes of e-commerce in China. Scholarship and superior Work Business, 7(2), 202-207. Zhou, L. , Dai, L. W. , Zhang, D. S. (2007). ONLINE SHOPPING ACCEPTANCE MODEL A CRITICAL SURVEY OF CONSUMER FACTORS IN ONLINE SHOPPING. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, 8(1), 41-62.