Recently, many studies have detailed how consumer perceptions and experiences affect attitudes and behaviours towards web service quality and e-satisfaction. Controversy arises when it comes to luxury brands. Luxury brands associate themselves with the concept of exclusivity and they position themselves in the market as such. But in online placement, how do they remain exclusive when information is accessible to everyone? Consumers of luxury products and services have varying opinions on the subject. Not all consumers are susceptible to online marketing and retailing. The perception of consumers is highly relevant when assigning the term ‘luxury’ to a brand. Therefore, a luxury brand has a certain personality and has an emotional and a creative appeal for the consumer. The aim of this research is to understand consumer attitude towards online luxury shopping websites before the purchase, during the purchase, and after the purchase. This study investigates the external factors that impact on consumer attitude toward purchasing online luxury shopping as a first step in the consumer online luxury shopping model. Further, it examines consumer attitude towards purchase life cycle, and the mediation role of consumer attitude between external factors and purchase intention. Moreover, this study investigates the relationships between different stages inside the purchase life cycle. This work is the first study focusing on the above aspects in a luxury context, the importance of which has been widely recognised in marketing literature but never explored empirically. Taking an exploratory approach, the study shows that in the case of brands in the premium luxury segment, external factors may have a positive influence on luxury perceptions, and more specifically on consumer attitude, which in turn may affect their intention to proceed to the online buying process. This study uses the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical grounding to study the adoption and evolution of a consumer online luxury shopping (COLS) model. A questionnaire was deployed online as a research instrument to collect the data from 313 online luxury consumers in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US). The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with PLS software. Further analysis using multi group analysis (MGA) was conducted after the main analysis for comparison between country (UK and US), gender (Male and Female), and level of internet experience (Intermediate and Advanced). The empirical results from this study show that, among seven external factors that affect consumer attitude (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived brand value, e-WOM, e-service quality, social network site usage and social media marketing activities), e-service quality has the strongest impact on consumer attitude toward purchasing online. However, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and e-word of mouth were non-significant, while e-service quality, social network site usage, social media marketing activities, and perceived brand value were all significant, and positively impact on consumer attitude. Moreover, the rest of the relationships from the COLS findings were significantly positive. Finally, the findings of this study provide noteworthy theoretical insights in terms of development of the COLS from the theory of extended TAM, and the COLS highlights the importance of the external factors, consumer attitude, and purchase lifecycle as the key elements of online luxury shopping. Moreover, the COLS model has been tested using multi-group analysis in three sets (country, gender, and internet level of experience). Furthermore, these findings bring valuable marketing implications highlighted by this study, and covers before purchase, during purchase, and after purchase, which shows what is happening inside the entire buying process for online luxury shopping. Marketers might also note that adopting an online luxury shopping website and recognising what factors can affect buying externally or internally can improve business efficiency.

Problem: The risk of online shopping differs from consumer to consumer. Previous scienceshow that consumers experience a higher risk related to online shopping, compared topurchase in traditional stores. The reason behind this is that there is no possibility to physically inspect the product before the purchase is completed, and most people want to try and feel the clothes before they decide to buy it. Also there is no opportunity to create an opinion about the seller, since there is no physical interaction between the customer and the ecommerce, which creates difficulty in assessing whether it is a reliable seller or not. An actionto reduce the consumers perceived risk is by creating a trustworthy impression. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate consumers perceive risks related buy ingclothes online, and if confidence in the e-commerce affects the risk level. Method: The research method for this study was qualitative, with a deductive approach. Data collection was developed through eight semi- structured interviews, in which participant werechosen from a convenience selection from the Stockholm area. Focusing on individuals between the age of 20- 45. Result: The study found that consumers who purchase clothes more often experience a lower risk related to online shopping, compared to those who do it rarely. The two distinct risks that respondents experienced in online shopping were the risk related to the clothes and the financial transaction. Results also showed that trust towards e-commerce has a decisive impact on the degree of risk, and how confident a consumer feels ahead of buying clothes online. It was found that the most effective trust-creating approach was contently information about the clothes, and several payment options. Additionally the results shows that consumers reduce the perceived risk level of online purchase through viral marketing, which is word-of mouth.

The contribution of this study based on the development of a cross-cultural universal framework, which is moderated by the culture dimension (uncertainty avoidance) and examines the factors influencing the individuals’ attitudes and behaviour and, ultimately, the individuals’ loyalty towards Internet banking across different countries (KSA and the UK). The study will contribute towards filling the gap in Internet banking literature by: 1) examining customers’ loyalty as a dependent variable of intention; 2) invariant acceptance of customers across the UK and KSA cultures; 3) and integration of the cultural dimension (i.e. uncertainty avoidance) and demographics (i.e. gender and experience) as factors of invariance across the groups. The framework is based on a number of constructs adopted from the validated theories in information systems (IS), psychology and marketing literature perspectives. Specifically from a psychology perspective, using Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs, Attitude, Intention, Subjective Norms, Self-efficacy and Actual Behaviour (i.e. intention towards loyalty) were integrated. From a technological perspective, using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use were integrated. Besides these constructs, the model also integrates constructs of privacy, security, communication, customers’ experience, Internet banking reputation, trust and loyalty from IS, as well as a marketing perspective. To examine the hypothetical relationships within the conceptual model, this study applied the positivist philosophical approach with quantitative methodology. Out of 1000 questionnaires distributed amongst undergraduate students in UK and KSA, 532 were useable, i.e. 53%. Due to the multilevel stages of the conceptual model, structural equation modelling (SEM), based on analysis of moment structure (AMOS), was applied to analyse the data. In addition, invariance analyses were applied to see the differences across the groups (i.e. moderation effect). Initially, sixteen hypotheses were developed in the model but due to the merger of three constructs (i.e. trust, security and privacy ) into one construct (i.e. trust), and the deletion of three constructs (i.e. communication, customers’ experience and Internet banking reputation) at the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) process, eleven hypotheses were finally retained for examination. The modification indices (MI) suggested three new paths, and hence, the addition of these new hypotheses brought the number up in total to fourteen hypotheses. The results suggest that the conceptualised model was able to fit with the data in both UK and KSA sample. Within the KSA sample, the model explained 45% variance in customer loyalty, but 60% in UK sample. From the path relationships perspectives, out of fourteen hypotheses ten were supported in the KSA and nine were supported in the UK. The results confirm the study’s argument that customer loyalty is the main construct of individuals’ behavioural intention to accept Internet banking. Within specific countries’ context, after behavioural intention, perceived ease of use was a more important predictor of loyalty in the KSA (i.e. b= 0.28); whereas perceived usefulness was a more important predictor of loyalty (i.e. b= 0.27) in the UK. Furthermore, it was noticed that subjective norm towards behavioural intention, perceived usefulness and ease of use was only significant in the KSA sample. The invariance analysis across the countries revealed significant differences between the KSA and the UK for nine hypotheses. Furthermore, invariance analysis also revealed significant differences across the cultural dimension of uncertainty avoidance (i.e. high and low), and the demographical variable of gender (i.e. male and female). Contrary to this, no difference was found for the demographic variable of experience (i.e. high and low). Based on these results, theoretical and practical implications are advised.

As the Internet and online shopping is growing at a very fast pace worldwide, investigating this phenomenon within a South African context is crucial considering that it is a relatively new trend in this country. Typical of new trends and phenomena is the absence of research already conducted, resulting in a lack of existing literature. Very few studies have examined the factors and reasons that entice South Africans to utilise this modern shopping channel, and even less have used an in-depth, qualitative approach. To assist in filling this void, this research study examines people’s reasons for taking up or not taking up online shopping, from a South African perspective. A snowball sampling method was used to identify participants fitting the predetermined sample criteria and in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with all participants. The theoretical approach used in the analysis was social constructionism. Findings are presented by means of constructions identified during the data analysis, and these indicated that saving time, the convenience of products being increasingly available and accessible and being able to make price comparisons easily are the main advantages of online shopping. Main disadvantages were not being able to touch and feel products, and the absence of a salesperson. Limitations of the research are discussed, along with recommendations for online retailers and future research. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

The thesis generally analyzes functions and content of retail web sites. Author uses his experience from his current employment, where he administers web site of one of the main retail chains in the Czech Republic. Importance of this subject is seen in its recency, when the usage of internet rises in many human activities and shopping is one of them. The aim of this document is to find characteristics of today's market and based on these it tries to predict trends that will influence the shape of commerce on internet in near future.

The aim of this master thesis is to capture the current state of electronic commerce in Czech Republic and its development over the past few years. The reader will be presented data about the development of modern communication technologies and internet in Czech Republic. Internet economy and its sub-areas will be presented, including the future expectations. Analysis of current B2C electronic commerce in Czech Republic will be presented as well, including the current trends and future outlooks. In the end consumer behavior during online shopping as well as analysis of consumer protection means will be analyzed.

Background: A shift from physical trading to online shopping has taken place. Generation W trades online to a lesser extent compared to generations X and Y, even though they have strong purchasing power. Perceived risk is one of the reasons why consumers choose to refrain from shopping online. Previous research in the area of risk recommends future research to study more profound older adults' perceived risks with e-commerce. When consumers experience risks, they develop risk-reducing methods to reduce the risks. Riskreduction methods can range from consulting a friend to completely refraining from shopping. Research question: What is generation Ws view regarding risk and risk reduction methods? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore what risks and risk reduction strategies are perceived among generation W when shopping online. Theory: Risk and risk reduction theories, buyer process models and decision making modelsare used in this study. Method: The essay is based on a qualitative descriptive study where primary data has been collected using semi structured interviews. Conclusion: Many previously known risks as well as some newly found risks like environmental risks and the risk of urban environment degradation are presented. Generation W uses risk-reducing methods or chooses to refrain from shopping online. Respondents explained the importance of their previous experience in e-commerce, which has laid the foundation for how they act in online trading today.

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Using the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm, this research examines how organizations integrate organizational resources with Web technology to implement Web functionalities to support the four stages of the Customer Service Life Cycle (CSLC). This research examines how combinations of Web functionalities impact the relative importance of the stages of the CSLC in determining customer satisfaction. The relative important of the stages of the CSLC varied depending on the product being considered for purchase (textbook, personal computer, and pair of jeans) and the gender of the online customer. Results of six regressions using policy capturing indicate that, overall, customers consider Web functionality support for the pre-purchase stages of the CSLC to be most important, with the requirements stage or acquisition stage consistently being first in importance. Post-purchase support showed increased importance with the purchase of a personal computer and textbook, and with male shoppers. Significant differences were limited with the retirement stage being significantly different from all the other stages in five post hoc tests, and from just the acquisition stage in the jeans test. By considering the products sold online and gender of the targeted online customer, organizations can invest their resources to build Web functionalities that incorporate values, culture, and processes to increase customer satisfaction with the Web site and influence firm performance.

This research proposes a new construct, post-purchase anticipated regret (PPAR), to expand the existing retailing and regret theory literature streams. Specifically, the purpose of this research is to understand the antecedents and consequences of post-purchase anticipated regret in an online retailing context. Study 1 uses qualitative data drawn from depth-interviews with online shoppers to investigate the pre-purchase factors that contribute to PPAR formation. Building from these results, studies 2 and 3 empirically test an original conceptual model to holistically understand PPAR. Additionally, the role of online shopping self-affirmation and regret coping strategies are explored as means to combat PPAR formation. Managerial and theoretical implications are offered, as well as research limitations and future research directions.