Does Place Matter When Shopping Online? Perceptions of Similarity and Familiarity as Indicators of Psychological Distance

Steven M. Edwards, Jin Kyun Lee, and Carrie La Ferle

This research investigates the role of physical location in online consumer purchases, as demonstrated through the concept of distance.

Does Place Matter When Shopping Online? Perceptions of Similarity and Familiarity as Indicators of Psychological Distance

Steven M. Edwards and Carrie La FerleTemerlin Advertising Institute at Southern Methodist University

Jin Kyun LeeUniversity of Texas at Austin

ABSTRACT:This research investigates the role of physical location in online consumer purchases, as demonstrated through the concept of distance. Distance conveys a sense of not only space between objects in the physical world but also psychological distance between people and others. This study tests various combinations of both physical and psychological distance between subjects and companies, brands, and cities...

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