Exploring risks, advantages and interpersonal trust in buyer-salesperson relationships in direct selling in a non-western country

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management

Publication Date

2017

Volume

45

Issue

3

First Page

328

Last Page

342

Publisher

Emerald Publishing Limited

Keywords

Trust, Buyer-seller relationship, Direct selling, Repurchase intention

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the dimensions of interpersonal trust which would affect the buyer-salesperson relationship in a direct selling situation. It also investigates consumers’ perceived risk and advantages of direct selling.

Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey of consumers (and also non-consumers) of direct selling companies in Hong Kong was performed by means of mall-intercept interview. The major measurements were perceived risk, perceived advantages, trust dimensions, and repurchase intention.

Findings: The results show that there are six dimensions of interpersonal trust in the buyer-seller relationship in direct selling, but only one dimension (i.e. honesty) has a significant relationship with repurchase intention. The ability to shop at home is found to have the highest advantage rating of direct selling. In addition, direct selling is perceived to have a lower level of risk than unsolicited telephone call such as telemarketing.

Originality/value This is the first study to investigate the effects of different dimensions of interpersonal trust on consumer buying behavior under a direct selling situation in Asia. The study also serves as a foundation for studying the applicability and usefulness of all trust measures in other western or non-western cultures/nations.

DOI

10.1108/IJRDM-08-2016-0124

Print ISSN

09590552

E-ISSN

17586690

Publisher Statement

Copyright © Emerald Publishing Limited. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Poon, P., Albaum, G. & Yin, C.-Y. (2017). Exploring risks, advantages and interpersonal trust in buyer-salesperson relationships in direct selling in a non-western country. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 45(3), 328-342. doi: 10.1108/IJRDM-08-2016-0124

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