Cross-border online shopping experiences of Chinese shoppers
Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics
ISSN: 1355-5855
Article publication date: 2 October 2019
Issue publication date: 14 January 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how geographic cues embedded in a website affect Chinese consumers’ cross-border shopping experiences. The study simultaneously explores the effect of telepresence on shoppers’ perceptions of product authenticity and their trust in retailers, key drivers of behavioral intentions.
Design/methodology/approach
Two experimental conditions were utilized. Geographic cues depicted a famous shopping district in the retailer’s country (South Korea) or the shopper’s country (China). Study participants were female Chinese consumers in their 20s and 30s who had purchased Korean fashion products in the past (n=236). Structural equation modeling was conducted using AMOS 21.0.
Findings
Results indicate that participants in the “retailer’s country” experimental condition experienced higher telepresence and greater perceptions of product authenticity. Furthermore, telepresence increased participants’ trust in the retailer and perceived product authenticity, which led to positive behavioral intentions.
Practical implications
Findings offer important implications for cross-border online retailing. First, results suggest a highly successful tactic for enhancing shoppers’ perceptions of product authenticity and retailer trust on a cross-border platform. Second, cross-border online business professionals should focus on the role of telepresence. Finally, this study provides insight about Chinese cross-border shoppers.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on cross-border online shopping. It suggests that the strategic use of geographic cues on a website can provide an experiential benefit, telepresence, to cross-border shoppers. The study’s findings provide a novel insight into possible unique success factors in cross-border e-commerce.
Keywords
Citation
Baek, E., Lee, H.K. and Choo, H.J. (2020), "Cross-border online shopping experiences of Chinese shoppers", Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, Vol. 32 No. 2, pp. 366-385. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-03-2018-0117
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited