Mediating Effect of Information Sources and Platform Characteristics in E-commerce: A Comparison between Korea and China

Mediating Effect of Information Sources and Platform Characteristics in E-commerce: A Comparison between Korea and China

Purpose - As overseas direct purchase transactions using e-commerce increase, the scale and scope of international trade are diversified, and the transaction volume using online platforms in e-commerce is increasing. The e-commerce market share will become more important because it is not only a medium connecting B2C, but also because it will expand the scope of trade. This study aims to reveal the factors that influence purchase intention according to Korean-Chinese consumers in e-commerce. In addition, the study has comprehensively confirmed the influence between each factor in the e￾commerce environment by integrating and analyzing the characteristic factors of online information sources and platforms in one structural equation. Finally, the study confirmed that there is a significant difference in the influence relationship between Korean and Chinese consumers. Through this, the study will contribute to content production in the e-commerce market according to the target market and the expansion of the mutual entry of Korea and China. Design/methodology - This study aims to confirm the mediating effect of the details of the online information source characteristics and platform characteristics when the perceived quality affects purchase intention. It is confirmed that the factors affecting Korean and Chinese consumers differ. Findings - It was confirmed that differences exist according to the group of Korean or Chinese consumers for the entire research model. In the case of Korean consumers, the mediating factors when perceived quality affects purchase intention are expertise, reliability, entertainment, informativity, and convenience; in the case of Chinese consumers, the factors are expertise and informativity. Originality/value - This study proved that Korean and Chinese consumers cannot be regarded as having the same characteristics, and therefore, strategies aimed at each e-commerce market should be differentiated. In addition, although previous studies on online information sources and platform characteristics were not integrated, this study confirmed a significant influence relationship among the factors that could affect purchase intention in the actual e-commerce environment.