Structuralization of Consumer's Emotional Responses in Online and Offline Environments: Focusing on Mixed Emotions

Abstract

Purpose - This study reestablished the concept of mixed emotions experienced in online and offline shopping environments, and structuralized emotional responses which manifest mixed emotions in each channel, and developed a method of measuring overall mixed emotions in consideration of the asymmetry of emotions. Design/methodology/approach - This study conducted a focus in-depth interview based on phenomenological research and exploratory preliminary survey using questionnaires. In addition, a survey was conducted as a quantitative survey. Findings - Qualitative and quantitative researches were conducted to derive major emotional responses items which manifest mixed emotions in online and offline shopping environments and determine differential emotional structure in each channel. As a result, it was confirmed that mixed emotions consisted of 5 factors in each channel and 21 emotional responses. In addition, a method of measuring overall mixed emotions considering the asymmetric of emotions was developed to prove the difference in behavioral responses. Research implications or Originality - This study is meaningful in that it helps companies efficiently manage and understand customer responses to their products by classifying and systemizing the emotional responses experienced by consumers in online and offline purchase and consumption situations according to the purchase environment.