A qualitative study of how consumers’ purchase intention is influenced by the livestreaming shopping streamer under negative incidents caused by streamers.

Abstract: Background：Live streaming shopping is becoming a mainstream method in China since the livestreaming feature has been applied to e-commerce. Live streaming commerce reflects theinterdependence between consumers and live streamers. Past studies have found that the ability,social presence and reputation of live streamers influence consumers' purchase intentions.However, there is a gap in how consumers' purchase intentions are affected by negative incidentsand a lack of qualitative perspective. Purpose：To explore consumers' understanding of their purchase intentions in relation to liveshopping streamers, in the context of negative incidents with streamers. Methodology：This study used qualitative research as the research method and abductivereasoning to conduct the data analysis. This study used semi-structured interviews and developedinterview questions based on the content of the theory chapter. The researchers usednon-probability sampling and general purpose sampling as the sampling strategy. The requireddata were obtained from 12 Chinese interviewees who had experience with live shopping. Theobtained data were then coded using grounded theory as the analysis method for qualitative data,which helped the researchers understand the thoughts of the interviewees. The final attempt is todevelop a theory that can explain the phenomenon. Moreover, the methods chapter explores thequality of the research in this study, as well as possible ethical and social issues. Findings：This paper identified three consumer needs (utilitarian, pleasure-seeking andemotional needs) and factors associated with streamers (attitude, streaming style, impact,characteristics and ability) that influence purchase intentions in the presence of negative streamerincidents. The paper also found how consumers' purchase intentions were influenced by thesefactors in different negative incident situations. Conclusion：This study obtained consumers' understanding of the relationship between theirpurchase intentions and streamers. Consumers exhibit three different levels of purchase3intention: willing to buy, wait-and-see (unsure of purchase intention) and no purchase intention.In the case of negative incidents, consumers' different purchase intentions are influenceddifferently by their own needs and streamer factors.