Open Journal Systems

Adaptability and resilience: Insights into Bangladeshi E-commerce customer behavior during COVID-19

Md. Abu Issa Gazi, Abdullah Al Masud, Md. Kazi Hafizur Rahman, M.M. Rafikul Islam, Abdul Rahman bin S Senathirajah

Article ID: 2626
Vol 9, Issue 7, 2024, Article identifier:

VIEWS - 402 (Abstract) 249 (PDF)

Abstract

This study aims to thoroughly investigate the changes in customer purchasing behavior across digital marketplaces amid the exceptional emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has unparalleled influence on e-commerce. This research adopts a quantitative approach, leveraging survey questionnaires to collect data on customer purchasing behavior across digital marketplaces. Analysis of the collected data is conducted utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, enabling comprehensive statistical analysis to discern trends and patterns in customer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides vital insights into the complex dynamics of customer behavior during times of crisis. The key findings emphasize the importance of comprehending customer preferences and behaviors in emergency scenarios for businesses in the e-commerce industry. The study demonstrates that, despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic, internet transactions not only remained viable but also acquired considerable significance for customers in Bangladesh. The Bangladeshi e-commerce sector demonstrated the crucial need for adaptability and resilience by effectively adapting to the changing market conditions caused by the pandemic. This study significantly contributes to understanding the Bangladeshi e-commerce landscape by addressing relevant research topics and objectives. It reveals a direct correlation between customer behavior and the success of e-commerce during pandemic-like events. It offers vital insights to organizations on how to modify their advertising, marketing, and promotional methods to effectively address customers' evolving requirements and priorities during times of crisis. In essence, this thorough examination acts as a vital manual for e-commerce enterprises in Bangladesh and other regions, helping them navigate the obstacles and possibilities presented by the COVID-19 era. It highlights the crucial significance of customer behavior in influencing the future of e-commerce, both in Bangladesh and worldwide.


Keywords

E-commerce, consumer behavior, Covid-19 pandemic, sustainable growth, Bangladesh

Full Text:

PDF



References

1. Adhikari, S. P., Meng, S., Wu, Y., Mao, Y., Ye, R. X., Wang, Q. Z., Sun, C., Sylvia, S., Rozelle, S., Raat, H., & Zhou, H. (2020). Epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, prevention and control of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the early outbreak period: a scoping review. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-020-00646-x

2. Abdullah, S. I. N. W., Teoh, S. S., Bernard Lim, J. H., & Phuah, K. T. (2023). Insights on Millennial’s Purchase Intention Towards Green Online Travel Products in Malaysia:. Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento, 41, 331-348. https://doi.org/10.34624/rtd.v41i0.30075

3. World Health Organization. (2020). Responding to community spread of COVID-19: interim guidance, 7 March 2020 (No. WHO/COVID-19/Community_Transmission/2020.1). World Health Organization.

4. Akram, U., Fülöp, M. T., Tiron‐Tudor, A., Topor, D. I., & Căpușneanu, S. (2021). Impact of Digitalization on Customers’ Well-Being in the Pandemic Period: Challenges and Opportunities for the Retail industry. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7533. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147533

5. Al Masud, A., Gazi, M. A. I., Islam, M. T., Zohurul, M., & Anis, A. I. H. Investigating the Impacts of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Socio-political, Education and Economics: Evidence from a South Asian Country.

6. World health organization, (2021). Update information about Covid-19 in Bangladesh. Available at https://covid19.who.int/region/searo/country/bd.

7. Islam, M. A., Barna, S. D., Raihan, H., Khan, M. N. A., & Hossain, T. (2020). Depression and anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional survey. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0238162. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238162

8. Ramelli, S., & Wagner, A. (2020). What the stock market tells us about the consequences of COVID-19. Mitigating the COVID Economic Crisis: Act Fast and Do Whatever, 63(7), 63-76.

9. Gazi, M. A. I., Nahiduzzaman, M., Harymawan, I., Masud, A. A., & Dhar, B. K. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 on Financial Performance and Profitability of Banking Sector in Special Reference to Private Commercial Banks: Empirical Evidence from Bangladesh. Sustainability, 14(10), 6260. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106260

10. Gazi, M. A. I., Rahman, M. K. H., Yusof, M. F. B., Masud, A. A., Islam, M. A., Senathirajah, A. R. B. S., & Hossain, M. A. (2024). Mediating role of entrepreneurial intention on the relationship between entrepreneurship education and employability: a study on university students from a developing country. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2023.2294514

11. Masud, A. A., Hossain, M. A., Biswas, S., Ruma, A. P., Rahman, K. S., & Tagore, S. (2023). The emergence of digital learning in higher education: a lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic. Campus-wide Information Systems, 40(3), 202–224. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijilt-08-2022-0176

12. Hossain, M. A., Amin, R., Masud, A. A., Hossain, M. I., Hossen, M. A., & Hossain, M. K. (2023). What drives people’s behavioral intention toward telemedicine? An emerging economy perspective. SAGE Open, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231181394

13. Mirdha, R. U. (2020, June 4). A number of RMG workers may lose jobs: Rubana Huq. The Daily Star. https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/good-number-rmg-workers-may-be-terminated-jobs-rubana-huq-1909005

14. Lucking-Reiley, D., & Spulber, D. F. (2001). Business-to-Business Electronic commerce. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 15(1), 55–68. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.15.1.55

15. Hossain, A., Jamil, M. a. A., & Rahman, M. M. (2018). Exploring the Key Factors Influencing Consumersâ€TM Intention, Satisfaction and Loyalty towards Online Purchase in Bangladesh. International Journal of Economics and Financial Research, 4(7), 214–225. https://ideas.repec.org/a/arp/ijefrr/2018p214-225.html

16. Parvin, G. A., Shimi, A. C., Shaw, R., & Biswas, C. (2016). Flood in a changing climate: The impact on livelihood and how the rural poor cope in Bangladesh. Climate, 4(4), 60. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4040060

17. Masud, A. A., Hossain, M. A., Roy, D. B., Hossain, M. S., Nabi, M. N., Ferdous, A., & Hossain, M. T. (2021). Global Pandemic Situation, Responses and measures in Bangladesh: new normal and sustainability perspective. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 11(7), 314–332.

18. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.1.2021.117.314.332

19. Veselovská, L., Hudáková, L., & Bartková, L. (2023). Risk Based Approach to Documenting Consumer Behavior Changes during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Management and Business : Research and Practice, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.54933/jmbrp-2023-15-1-4

20. Gao, J., Siddik, A. B., Abbas, S. K., Hamayun, M., Masukujjaman, M., & Alam, S. S. (2023). Impact of E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Adoption on the Financial and Sustainability Performance of MSMEs during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Study. Sustainability, 15(2), 1594. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021594

21. Gazi, M. A. I., Masud, A. A., Sobhani, F. A., Dhar, B. K., Hossain, M. S., & Hossain, A. I. (2023). An Empirical Study on Emergency of Distant Tertiary Education in the Southern Region of Bangladesh during COVID-19: Policy Implication. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4372. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054372

22. Chen, C., Qian, W., & Wen, Q. (2021). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumption: Learning from High-Frequency Transaction Data. AEA Papers and Proceedings, 111, 307–311.

23. https://doi.org/10.1257/pandp.20211003

24. Ragusa, F., Guarnera, L., Furnari, A., Battiato, S., Signorello, G., & Farinella, G. M. (2018). Localization of visitors for cultural sites management. Proceedings of the 15th International Joint Conference on e-Business and Telecommunications. https://doi.org/10.5220/0006886405730579

25. Dhali, K., Masud, A. A., Hossain, M. A., Lipy, N. S., & Chaity, N. S. (2023). The effects of abusive supervision on the behaviors of employees in an organization. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8(1), 100695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100695

26. Bozhkova, А. (2022). Hotel Websites: Pragmatic Adaptation in Translation from English into Russian and from Russian into English. Vestnik Volgogradskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta. Seriâ 2. Âzykoznanie, 1, 85–94. https://doi.org/10.15688/jvolsu2.2022.1.7

27. Zannat, K. E., Bhaduri, E., Goswami, A. K., & Choudhury, C. F. (2021). The tale of two countries: modeling the effects of COVID-19 on shopping behavior in Bangladesh and India. Transportation Letters: The International Journal of Transportation Research, 13(5–6), 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2021.1892939

28. Hamil, N. W. B. ., Zainudin, A. D. B. ., & Wider, W. . (2023). Evidence of COVID-19’s financial epidemiology on the ASEAN-5 stock indices. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(3), 180–191.

29. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i3.4739

30. Chronopoulos, D. K., Lukas, M., & Wilson, J. O. S. (2020). Consumer Spending Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An assessment of Great Britain. Social Science Research Network.

31. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3586723

32. Erasmus, A. C., Boshoff, E., & Rousseau, G. G. (2010). Consumer decision-making models within the discipline of consumer science: a critical approach. Journal of Dietetics and Home Economics, 29(1).

33. https://doi.org/10.4314/jfecs.v29i1.52799

34. Abir, T., Husain, T., Waliullah, S. S. A., Yazdani, D. M. N., Salahin, K. F., & Rahman, M. A. (2020). Consumer buying behavior towards e-commerce: A survey study of consumers at a selected online shopping site in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Open Journal of Business and Management, 8(6), 2716-2728.

35. Hasan, M., Hossain, M. A., Hossain, M. S., Masud, A. A., Yesmin, M. N., & Wu, R. (2023). Investigating consumers’ intentions regarding the adoption of mobile payments: An SEM-based empirical investigation. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(9), 662–676. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i9.4846

36. Desk, T. (2022, July 17). Bangladesh, 41st largest economy in the world now. Dhaka Tribune. https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/274341/bangladesh-41st-largest-economy-in-the-world-now

37. Bangladesh and the IMF. (2019, March 6). IMF. https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/BGD

38. Di Crosta, A., Ceccato, I., Marchetti, D., La Malva, P., Maiella, R., Cannito, L., Cipi, M., Mammarella, N., Palumbo, R., Verrocchio, M. C., Palumbo, R., & Di Domenico, A. (2021). Psychological factors and consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. PloS One, 16(8), e0256095. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256095

39. Zhang, M., Qin, F., Wang, G. A., & Luo, C. (2019). The impact of live video streaming on online purchase intention. Service Industries Journal, 40(9–10), 656–681. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642069.2019.1576642

40. George, J. F. (2004). The theory of planned behavior and Internet purchasing. Internet Research, 14(3), 198–212. https://doi.org/10.1108/10662240410542634

41. Hossain, M. M., Islam, K., Masud, A. A., Hossain, M. A., & Jahan, N. (2023). Antecedents and Consequences of Self-Disclosure in Subjective Well-Being: A Facebook case with a social support mediator. SAGE Open, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231179925

42. Luo, X. G., Kwong, C. K., Tang, J. F., & Sun, F. Q. (2015). QFD-Based Product Planning with Consumer choice analysis. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics. Systems, 45(3), 454–461. https://doi.org/10.1109/tsmc.2014.2347916

43. Lim, D. T. ., Goh, K. W. ., Sim, Y. W. ., Mokhtar, K. ., & Thinagar, S.. (2023). Estimation of stock market index volatility using the GARCH model: Causality between stock indices. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(3), 162–179. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i3.4738

44. Hobbs, J. E. (2020). Food supply chains during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue Canadienne D’agroeconomie, 68(2), 171–176. https://doi.org/10.1111/cjag.12237

45. Gazi, M. A. I., Masud, A. A., Shuvro, R. A., Hossain, A. I., & Rahman, M. K. (2022b). Bangladesh and SAARC Countries: Bilateral Trade and Flaring of Economic Cooperation. ETIKONOMI, 21(2), 251–268. https://doi.org/10.15408/etk.v21i2.24353

46. Simiyu, G., Bonuke, R., & Komen, J. (2019). Social media and students’ behavioral intentions to enroll in postgraduate studies in Kenya: a moderated mediation model of brand personality and attitude. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 30(1), 66–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841241.2019.1678549

47. Neger, M., & Uddin, B. (2020). Factors affecting consumers’ internet shopping behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Bangladesh. Chinese Business Review, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.17265/1537-1506/2020.03.003

48. Labrecque, L. I., Esche, J. V. D., Mathwick, C., Novak, T., & Hofacker, C. F. (2013). Consumer Power: Evolution in the Digital Age. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 27(4), 257–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.09.002

49. Prasad, C. J. S., & Aryasri, A. (2009). Determinants of Shopper behaviour in e-tailing: An Empirical analysis. Paradigm, 13(1), 73–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971890720090110

50. Meher & Burhan. (2020). Factors Affecting Consumers’ Internet Shopping Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From Bangladesh. Chinese Business Review. 19. 10.17265/1537-1506/2020.03.003.

51. Suganda, U. K., & Arrifianti, I. (2023). Analysis of the drivers of consumer purchasing decisions in the digital era: the role of social media marketing, E-Service quality, and payment safety. Quantitative Economics and Management Studies, 4(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.35877/454ri.qems1302

52. Lim, Y. J., Osman, A. F., Salahuddin, S. N., Romle, A. R., & Abdullah, S. (2016). Factors influencing online shopping behavior: The mediating role of purchase intention. Procedia. Economics and Finance, 35, 401–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(16)0s0050-2

53. Faisal, A. (2021). Antecedent of online buying behavior. Indonesian Management & Accounting Research, 18(2), 79–104. https://doi.org/10.25105/imar.v18i2.3873

54. Liu, F., Xiao, B., Lim, E. T. K., & Tan, C. (2017). The art of appeal in electronic commerce. Internet Research, 27(4), 752–771. https://doi.org/10.1108/intr-09-2016-0280

55. Hossain, A., & Khan, Y. H. (2018). Green marketing mix effect on consumers buying decisions in Bangladesh. Marketing Ì Menedžment Ìnnovacìj, 4, 298–306. https://doi.org/10.21272/mmi.2018.4-25

56. Kotler, P. (2008). Principles of Marketing: a Global Perspective. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB01696127

57. Fadillah, B., Widodo, H. D., & Budiatmo, A. (2013). Pengaruh Motivasi Dan Lingkungan Kerja Terhadap Produktivitas Karyawan Melalui Kepuasan Kerja Karyawan Produksi Bagian Jamu Tradisional Unit Kaligawe Pt. Njonja Meneer Semarang. Jurnal Ilmu Administrasi Bisnis.

58. Albijanić, I., Milošević, M., Milošević, M., & Jeremić, V. (2022). Exploring the factors which impact the customers’ online purchase intentions. Proceedings of the International Conference on Statistics, Theory and Applications (ICSTA . . .). https://doi.org/10.11159/icsta22.102

59. Alfina, I., Ero, J., Hidayanto, A. N., & Shihab, M. R. (2014). The Impact of Cognitive Trust and E-Wom on Purchase Intention in C2c E-Commerce Site. Journal of Computer Science, 10(12), 2518–2524. https://doi.org/10.3844/jcssp.2014.2518.2524

60. Rahman, L., Hossain, A., & Hasan, M. (2018). Consumers’ Internet Shopping Decision toward Fashion Apparels and Its Impact on Satisfaction in Bangladesh. Business Ethics and Leadership, 2(4), 74–82. https://doi.org/10.21272/bel.2(4).74-82.2018

61. Nabi, M. N., Akter, M. M., Habib, A., Masud, A. A., & Pal, S. K. (2021). Influence of CSR stakeholders on the textile firms performances: The mediating role of organizational legitimacy. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), 10(8), 25-38.

62. Tham, K. W., Dastane, O., Johari, Z., & Ismail, N. (2019). Perceived risk factors affecting consumers’ online shopping behaviour. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 6(4), 246–260. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2019.vol6.no4.249

63. Zhang, M., Wang, L., Li, Y., & Wang, G. A. (2022). C2C interaction in the online review system: Effect of other customers’ responses on subsequent review volume. Tourism Management, 93, 104622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2022.104622

64. Hollingsworth, T. D., Ferguson, N., & Anderson, R. M. (2007). Frequent travelers and rate of spread of epidemics. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 13(9), 1288–1294. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1309.070081

65. Nabi, Md. N., Akter, Mst. M., Habib, A., Masud, A. A., & Kumer Pal, S. (2022b). Influence of CSR stakeholders on the textile firms performances. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 10(8), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v10i8.1502

66. Liu, Y., Cheng, P., & Ouyang, Z. (2021). How trust mediate the effects of perceived justice on loyalty: A study in the context of automotive recall in China. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 58, 102322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102322

67. Hufnagel, L., Brockmann, D., & Geisel, T. (2004). Forecast and control of epidemics in a globalized world. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 101(42), 15124–15129. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0308344101

68. Akter, S., Ashrafi, T., Waligo, V., & Sneath. (2021). Changes in consumer purchasing behavior due to COVID- 19 pandemic. Journal of Marketing and Consumer Research. https://doi.org/10.7176/jmcr/77-04

69. Tee, P.K., Vashu, D., Wong, L.C., Ng, C.P. (2023). Tourist Engagement in Instagram: The Mediating Role of Perceived Advertising Value. In: Al-Sharafi, M.A., Al-Emran, M., Al-Kabi, M.N., Shaalan, K. (eds) Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Intelligent Systems. ICETIS 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 584. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25274-7_25

70. Kawa, A., & Zdrenka, W. (2023). Logistics value in e-commerce and its impact on customer satisfaction, loyalty and online retailers’ performance. The International Journal of Logistics Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijlm-02-2023-0078

71. González-Mansilla, Ó., Berenguer-Contrí, G., & Serra-Cantallops, A. (2019). The impact of value co-creation on hotel brand equity and customer satisfaction. Tourism Management, 75, 51–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2019.04.024

72. Tran, L. T. T. (2021). Managing the effectiveness of e-commerce platforms in a pandemic. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 58, 102287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2020.102287

73. Ling, L., Guo, Q., & Jiang, Y. (2024). The interplay of information sharing and distribution mode choice under cap‐and‐trade policy in the ecommerce era. Managerial and Decision Economics. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.4107

74. Wang, Q., Amin, M. B., Gazi, M. a. I., Khan, W., Masud, A. A., & Alam, M. N. (2023). Mediation effect of technology adaptation capabilities between the relationship of service quality attributes and customer satisfaction: An investigation on young customers perceptions toward E-Commerce in China. IEEE Access, 11, 123904–123923. https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2023.3328775

75. Siyal, A. W., Ding, D., Umrani, W. A., Siyal, S., & Bhand, S. (2019). Predicting mobile banking acceptance and loyalty in Chinese bank customers. SAGE Open, 9(2), 215824401984408. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019844084

76. Masud, A. A., Nabi, M. N., & Kumar, D. (2023). Socioeconomic and psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on various occupational groups in Bangladesh. BUFT Journal of Business and Economics, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.58481/bjbe2305

77. Hossain, M. S., Hossain, M. A., Masud, A. A., Islam, K., Mostafa, M. G., & Hossain, M. T. (2023e). The integrated power of gastronomic experience quality and accommodation experience to build tourists’ satisfaction, revisit intention, and word-of-mouth intention. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008x.2023.2173710

78. Ha, A. Y., Luo, H., & Shang, W. (2022). Supplier encroachment, information sharing, and channel structure in online retail platforms. Production and Operations Management, 31(3), 1235–1251. https://doi.org/10.1111/poms.13607

79. Bagchi, M., & White, P. (2005). The potential of public transport smart card data. Transport Policy, 12(5), 464–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2005.06.008

80. Ginters, E. (2020). Digital Technologies Acceptance/Adoption Modeling Respecting Age Factor. In Advances in intelligent systems and computing (pp. 621–630). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45691-7_58


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i7.2626
(402 Abstract Views, 249 PDF Downloads)

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Md. Abu Issa Gazi, Abdullah Al Masud, Md. Kazi Hafizur Rahman, M.M. Rafikul Islam, Abdul Rahman bin S Senathirajah

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.