Online vs. Traditional Shopping: Consumer Behavior and Economic Impact

This undergraduate dissertation proposal aims to investigate the difference between online shopping and traditional shopping on consumer buying behavior and its impact on national economy. The study will focus on three main online shopping websites: Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba. The research questions include how online shopping affects consumers' purchasing decisions, what is the trend of development and negative or positive aspects of online shopping, and what is the current status of online shopping in the national economy. The methodology includes questionnaires designed for consumers and interviews with online shopping managers. The study will contribute to a better understanding of consumer behavior and its impact on the national economy.

Undergraduate Dissertation Proposal
Instructure
Name: Chenxiao Li (Haylee)
Student number: 14025203
Program of study: Economics
Title
The difference between online shopping and traditional shopping on consumer
buying behavior and the impact of online shopping on national economy
Proposed Research Question or Aim
Key Questions
Aim to discover how online shopping effects consumers to purchase goods.
Aim to discover the trend of develop and negative or positive about online
shopping
Aim to analysis what’s the status of online shopping in the national economy
Key method
Questionnaires designed for consumers
Interview the online shopping manager
Organisational Base
3 key words
 Consumer behavior  strategic management  National economic
Specific Area of Research
Specific Area of Study
Online shopping was a new consumption model in new century. With the
development of the internet, and it’s diversification. Online shopping replaces
the traditional shopping model gradually. Changed people’s perception of
consumption. Analysis the consumer behavior can promoting the internet
economic market, and contribute the online sellers to adopt more reasonable
market strategy and employ more effective marketing.
This research will focus on three main online shopping websites: Amazon,
eBay and Alibaba.
This three are most famous online shopping site over the world. The pioneer
“eBay” from 1995, exploited a fresh way of consumption. Analysis how they

operate the company and guide consumer to shopping online. and realize the
market strategic what they applied.
In national economy, consumption is a crucial part. When consumers
shopping online instead go to the mall. What will be changed in national
economy. Reflect weather or not this phenomenon makes the national
economy grow up.
Relevant Literature
The literature used in the dissertation will focus three main aspect: consumer
behavior of online shopping, difference between online shopping and
traditional shopping, and how online shopping model promote the economic
development.
Timescale for research
Proposed Timescale for your Research Project
From: 01-Nov-2017
To: 31-Mar-2017
Activity Planner Use this activity planner to plan the main activities that you
will need to undertake in order to successfully complete your project.
Use the date picker to identify when each activity should start and the target
completion date.
Activity One
Description of the Activity
Design and, if necessary, pilot a questionnaire designed to find out
perceptions on aggression.
Activity One Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
From: 20-Oct-2017
To: 30-Nov-2017
Activity Two
Description of Activity
Send out questionaire
Activity Two Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
30-Nov-2017
Activity Three
Description of the Activity

Write Introduction and Methods sections
Activity Three Dates From: 01-Nov-2017
To: 31-Dec-2017
Activity Four
Description of the Activity
Aim to have received all results for questionnaire
Activity Four Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
12-Jan-2018
Activity Five
Description of the Activity
Work with results to create the aggression scale and add it to the model
Activity Five Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
From: 12-Jan-2018
To: 19-Jan-2018
Activity Six
Description of the Activity
Calculate the application of the model to a case
Activity Six Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
From: 19-Jan-2018
To: 25-Jan-2018
Activity Seven
Description of the Activity
Write evaluation and finish any other sections (most should be done)
Activity Seven Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
From: 25-Jan-2018
To: 26-Feb-2018
Activity Eight
Description of the Activity
Editing and hand in
Activity Eight Dates
Please enter the start and end dates for the activity
From: 26-Feb-2018
To: 31-Mar-2018
Reference
Liang Zhang. (2009), Business model analysis for online social shopping
companies case study: RunToShop Oy.
Lina Zhou., Liwei Dai., Dongsong Zhang. (2007), Online shopping model- a

critical survey of consumer factors in online shopping. Journal of Electronic
Commerce Research, VOL 8, NO.1.
Pappas, N (March 2016). "Marketing Strategies perceived risks, and consumer
trust in online behavior". Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services. 29: 92–
103
"Nielsen Global Online Shopping Report". Blog.nielsen.com. 2010-06-29. Retrieved2012-01-19.
Peterson, R. A., Balasubramanian, S., & Bronnenberg, B. J. (1997). Exploring the implications of
the Internet for consumer marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 25, 329–346.
The literature used in the dissertation will focus three main aspect: consumer
behavior of online shopping, difference between online shopping and
traditional shopping, and how online shopping model promote the economic
development
Jack Ma is the first person to exploit the online shopping marketing in China.
Alibaba has been growing and is still in the growth stage of the innovation
cycle. Ma is using his new platform in unexpected, invigorating ways,
positioning himself as a champion of both free trade and philanthropy—and
arguing that open digital marketplaces like Alibaba’s can power the world’s
economy by enabling small businesses to reach an ever-expanding pool of
customers.
Michael R. Solomon is an authority on consumer behavior and the
marketplace, he studies the complex relationship between marketing
strategies and consumers' preferences for everything from fashion to the
foods on their supermarket shelves. His book ‘consumer behavior’ has strong
point for people purchase. He has served as a consultant to numerous
corporations on issues relating to consumer behavior, marketing strategy,
advertising and retailing.
N. Gregory Mankiw is the Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics at Harvard
University. Professor Mankiw is a prolific writer and a regular participant in
academic and policy debates. His research includes work on price adjustment,
consumer behavior, financial markets, monetary and fiscal policy, and
economic growth. Also has a vast amount of literature on the topic; his main
contributions explore differences of economics and consumer behavior. In
addition to his teaching, research, and writing, Professor Mankiw has been a
research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research.