A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of PhilosophyConsumer behaviour is determined by various factors, therefore it is considered as very complex and difficult to predict. This study is an attempt to explore and establish the relationships between various factors that result in impulse buying behaviour during online and offline buying. A preliminary qualitative study was carried out to understand the various situations in which impulse buying takes place. For the preliminary study data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis approach has been used for data analysis. The results of the study reveal that in the offline buying store environment, presence of others and crowding plays a vital role, while in online buying website quality, visual appeal and usability of the website increases the chances of impulse buying. In addition it has been found that situational factors such as mood, sales promotion, availability of time and availability of money also have an influence.
Important literature was reviewed first and a conceptual framework consisting of the different hypotheses was proposed; then those hypotheses were empirically tested. Quantitative data was collected for the main study by using questionnaires and a self-administrative technique; a total of 312 respondents took part in this study, for which a pilot study was carried out to refine the final questionnaire. Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to evaluate the model fit and for further refinement of the constructs. Data was analysed by using structured equation modelling and this approach was used for testing the hypothesized relationship between independent variables (store environment, website characteristics) and dependent variable (impulse buying behaviour). Results of the mediating test shows that situational factors fully mediate the relationship between store environment and impulse buying behaviour. While on the other hand situational factors partially mediate between website characteristics and impulse buying behaviour.
The results further reveal that apparel products are impulsively purchased by females most of the time. Food and food items are purchased impulsively by most of the respondents (140) most of the time, whereas a very small number of respondents mentioned that they purchase books impulsively. Results also reveal that situational factors partially mediate between store environment, website characteristics and impulse buying behaviour
