Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role

Based on para-social interaction (PSI) theory and social identity perspective, this study explores the mechanisms driving consumers’ impulse buying in social live shopping. It examines how live content design, namely information comprehensiveness (INFCOM) and interactivity (INT), affects consumer co...

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Main Authors: Shugang Li, Yuqi Zhang, Yixin Tang, Wenjing Zhao, Zhaoxu Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/2/66
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author Shugang Li
Yuqi Zhang
Yixin Tang
Wenjing Zhao
Zhaoxu Yu
author_facet Shugang Li
Yuqi Zhang
Yixin Tang
Wenjing Zhao
Zhaoxu Yu
author_sort Shugang Li
collection DOAJ
description Based on para-social interaction (PSI) theory and social identity perspective, this study explores the mechanisms driving consumers’ impulse buying in social live shopping. It examines how live content design, namely information comprehensiveness (INFCOM) and interactivity (INT), affects consumer cognition and affective experiences, namely perceived usefulness (PU), PSI, and sense of belonging (SOB), to generate the influence of the urge to buy impulsively (UBI), and further explores the moderating role of the consumer–broadcaster para-social relationship (PSR) between live content design and consumer experience. Findings indicate that in an accumulative social live shopping environment, comprehensive information and strong interactivity enhance consumer social identity, reduce shopping hesitations and obstacles, and encourage UBI. Forming a close consumer–broadcaster relationship is crucial for promoting social identity and increasing UBI. Even without interactive engagement, consumers who feel a close connection with the broadcaster still experience interaction and SOB. PSR influences impulse buying by enhancing consumer perceptions and thereby promoting UBI. This study advances the understanding of impulse buying from a social identity perspective and suggests that merchants and livestream designers can improve quality and sales by providing comprehensive product information and incorporating diverse interactive elements in live broadcasts.
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issn 0718-1876
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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series Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
spelling doaj-art-b69b1f828c8b4ce9984f0900bf59a6e72025-08-20T03:27:25ZengMDPI AGJournal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research0718-18762025-04-012026610.3390/jtaer20020066Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating RoleShugang Li0Yuqi Zhang1Yixin Tang2Wenjing Zhao3Zhaoxu Yu4School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaSchool of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaSchool of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaSchool of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, ChinaDepartment of Automation, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, ChinaBased on para-social interaction (PSI) theory and social identity perspective, this study explores the mechanisms driving consumers’ impulse buying in social live shopping. It examines how live content design, namely information comprehensiveness (INFCOM) and interactivity (INT), affects consumer cognition and affective experiences, namely perceived usefulness (PU), PSI, and sense of belonging (SOB), to generate the influence of the urge to buy impulsively (UBI), and further explores the moderating role of the consumer–broadcaster para-social relationship (PSR) between live content design and consumer experience. Findings indicate that in an accumulative social live shopping environment, comprehensive information and strong interactivity enhance consumer social identity, reduce shopping hesitations and obstacles, and encourage UBI. Forming a close consumer–broadcaster relationship is crucial for promoting social identity and increasing UBI. Even without interactive engagement, consumers who feel a close connection with the broadcaster still experience interaction and SOB. PSR influences impulse buying by enhancing consumer perceptions and thereby promoting UBI. This study advances the understanding of impulse buying from a social identity perspective and suggests that merchants and livestream designers can improve quality and sales by providing comprehensive product information and incorporating diverse interactive elements in live broadcasts.https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/2/66social identitylive shoppingimpulse buyingpara-social interactionlive content designpara-social relationship
spellingShingle Shugang Li
Yuqi Zhang
Yixin Tang
Wenjing Zhao
Zhaoxu Yu
Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
social identity
live shopping
impulse buying
para-social interaction
live content design
para-social relationship
title Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
title_full Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
title_fullStr Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
title_full_unstemmed Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
title_short Impact Mechanisms of Consumer Impulse Buying in Accumulative Social Live Shopping: Considering Para-Social Relationship Moderating Role
title_sort impact mechanisms of consumer impulse buying in accumulative social live shopping considering para social relationship moderating role
topic social identity
live shopping
impulse buying
para-social interaction
live content design
para-social relationship
url https://www.mdpi.com/0718-1876/20/2/66
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AT yixintang impactmechanismsofconsumerimpulsebuyinginaccumulativesocialliveshoppingconsideringparasocialrelationshipmoderatingrole
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