Effects of Busy Mindset and Self-Worth on Impulsive Buying: In the Category of Hedonic Products

Purpose: The research aims to examine whether perception about busyness can affect the way people view themselves and then make an impact on purchase decision-making. Based on a proposed theoretical framework, the current research examines whether or not perception about busyness affects perceived self-worth and has an impact on impulsive buying. Research design, data, and methodology: The paper conducted a survey in which two scenarios are used for manipulating degree of busy mindset. For analyzing data, analysis of variance and regression analysis are applied, in conjunction with analysis of moderating effects. Results: Busy mindset has a positive effect on perceived self-worth. The effect of busy mindset on perceived self-worth is greater in the group of high perceived social mobility. In the category of hedonic products, perceived self-worth has a positive effect on impulsive buying intention. Conclusions: These results imply that a sense of self-worth can affect impulsive buying behavior on the basis that people sometimes buy things on impulse as a way of self-indulgence or self-reward for their efforts. Managerial implications of the results suggest a busy appeal to consumers would be more effective for hedonic products.