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Article
Information Search and Purchase Patterns in a Multichannel Service Industry
Services Marketing Quarterly (2012)
  • Michael T. Elliott, University of Missouri–St. Louis
  • Frank Q. Fu, University of Missouri–St. Louis
  • Paul Surgi Speck, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Abstract
For many consumer service industries, it is critical that marketers understand the segmentation implications of online information search. The potential migration of consumers from “brick-and-mortar” to “bricks-and-clicks” offers a unique perspective on multichannel strategies. This research considers how competitive forces, availability of consumer information, and the changing role of traditional channel structures (e.g., sales agents) might affect the search and purchase phases. In the context of the automotive insurance market, this research found significant differences in search preferences, benefit/cost perceptions, demographic characteristics, and psychographic characteristics among four information search segments. Key distinctions were identified between single channel and multichannel auto insurance consumers.
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 10, 2012
DOI
10.1080/15332969.2012.714703
Citation Information
Michael T. Elliott, Frank Q. Fu and Paul Surgi Speck. "Information Search and Purchase Patterns in a Multichannel Service Industry" Services Marketing Quarterly Vol. 33 Iss. 4 (2012) p. 292 - 310
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-elliott/2/