Trust, Personal Characteristics & Online Buying Behavior in India

This dissertation investigates the connection between personal characteristics, trust, and online buying behavior within the Indian e-commerce landscape. It begins by acknowledging the shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping due to technological advancements. The research aims to identify how factors like perceived product quality, psychological comfort, social influence, financial risk, security concerns, and delivery reliability impact consumer trust and, consequently, their online purchasing decisions. The study employs a survey questionnaire to gather data on demographics, online shopping habits, and perceived trust factors. The analysis seeks to determine the influence of personal characteristics, such as gender and age, on online buying behavior and the role of trust as a mediating variable. The dissertation also explores the impact of return on investment perceptions, service excellence, online shopping experience, resource availability, internet usage, computer anxiety, and convenience-seeking motivations on online purchasing decisions. Ultimately, this research contributes to understanding the dynamics of online consumer behavior in India and provides valuable insights for e-commerce businesses.

Link between Personal Characteristics, Trust and Online Buying Behavior in India
1. Gender
Female
Male
Prefer Not to Say
Other
2. Age Group
18-25
26-35
36-45
45+
3. How much aware are you regarding availability of products in online shops?
Very Aware
Somewhat Aware
Not At All Aware
4. Which online shopping site you use the most?
Amazon
Flipkart
Myntra
EBay
Jabong
Snapdeal
Others
5. How often do you buy products from the online shops?

Every Week
Every Month
Few Times in a Year
Rarely
6. Please select the most common commodity you buy from online shopping sites.
Clothes
Electronics
Furniture
Books
Grocery
Second Hand Goods
Others
7. Please select your perceived responses regarding your trust of the online shopping sites.
a. Actual product quality / performance can be easily perceived from the written
information / pictures provided by the online seller
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree
b. Your psychological comfort affects your online purchasing choice
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree

c. While making online purchase, you are concerned about how your friends or family
members will react
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree
d. You prefer purchasing products online that have less financial risk
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree
e. You are concerned about the security of online payment while making a purchase online
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree
f. You are concerned about the delivery of product while making an online purchase
Completely Agree
Somewhat Agree
Neutral
Somewhat Disagree
Completely Disagree
8. Do you think online shopping provides the customers with sufficient return on investment?

Yes
No
Maybe
9. Do you think service excellence is a plus point for online shopping sites?
Yes
No
Maybe
10. Do you think online shopping tendency increases with experience of the same?
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
11. Does the availability of resources increase your interest in purchasing products online?
Yes
No
Maybe
12. Do you think the increasing usage of internet increases your interest in purchasing products
online?
Yes
No
Maybe
13. Does computer anxiety prevent you from purchasing products online?
Yes
No
Maybe

14. Do you purchase products online to avoid visiting crowded retail stores?
Yes
No
Maybe
15. Do you purchase products online because it brings you happiness?
Yes
No
Maybe
16. Do you think availability of certain products stimulates your interest in making the online
purchasing?
Yes
No
Maybe