Internet-based e-shopping and consumer attitudes: an empirical study

This paper analyses consumer attitudes towards Internet-based e-shopping. I t aims to provide a theoretically and empirically grounded initial referenc e position, against which later research can explore and interpret the effe cts of changes in variables representing consumer preferences and shifts in these preferences on the success or failure of B2C e-commerce over the Int ernet. Because of the opportunity to sample at the outset and of ceteris pa ribus conditions following from the tendency for other factors such as e-tr ansactions cost to remain small and constant, Singapore data were employed. Regression analysis shows that the life content of products, transactions security, price, vendor quality, IT education and Internet usage significan tly affect the initial willingness of Singaporeans to e-shop on the Interne t. Generalising, we suggest that Internet-based B2C e-commerce can profitab ly be introduced or promoted along similar dimensions in socio-geographical ly and technologically similar situations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.