The dimensional structure of consumer buying impulsivity: Measurement and validation

Despite the growing emphasis on the interplay of emotion and cognition in the consumption experiences, there is little research that provides an integrative view by linking together the complementary roles of the affective and cognitive components in impulse buying. Previous definitions on impulse buying fall short of fully capturing the complexity of the impulse buying phenomenon and in turn yield measurements that do not tap the dynamics of emotional and cognitive motives. This dissertation seeks to remedy these conceptual and methodological deficiencies.; As a new framework for analyzing impulse buying, this dissertation triangulates three major dimensions of reactive, holistic, and experiential consumption, and elaborates on the theoretical definition for each dimension. Based on these conceptual explications, this dissertation develops the Consumer Buying Impulsivity (CBI) scale to assess the likelihood of engaging in impulse buying. The CBI is proposed as a multidimensional construct, not a unitary construct, which consists of higher order components that can be broken down into several lower order factors. The model to best represent the CBI scale is generated, tested, and re-specified through an evolutionary process across a series of empirical studies. The final model includes the affective and cognitive components with Irresistible Urge to Buy, Positive Buying Emotions, and Mood Management reflecting the affective dimension and Little Cognitive Deliberation, Unplanned Buying, and Disregard the Future representing the cognitive dimension.; The CBI scale is validated by linking it to psychological constructs such as Control vs. Impulsivity, Stress Reaction, Time Orientation, and Sensation Seeking. Scale validation demonstrates a convergent and divergent structure of the CBI construct and provides strong nomological validation for its multidimensionality. Even after controlling for the social desirability bias, prior substantial relationships remain stable, enhancing our belief in the validity of the CBI scale.