E-tailers adaptation during early stages of “social distancing causing crises”: an exploratory study
International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management
ISSN: 0959-0552
Article publication date: 2 June 2021
Issue publication date: 6 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper studies the impact of social distancing causing crises (SDCC) such as pandemics in its early stages on e-tailers demand and supply side operations and provides a conceptual framework for adaptation.
Design/methodology/approach
A grounded theory-based approach has been used, wherein journal papers and news articles are the key data sources. Standard qualitative methodology, including open, axial and selective coding has been followed.
Findings
The study provides second order themes derived from first-order categories, the theoretical dimensions and their interrelationships on how e-tailers need to adapt to variations in online buying behaviour, manage manpower shortage and daily necessities inventory shortage, during SDCC. Panic buying emerges as a key disrupting factor as it has multiple repercussions on demand and supply side operations of e-tailers.
Research limitations/implications
Exploratory qualitative research such as this is helpful in early development of a research stream and paves the way for future quantitative studies.
Practical implications
This study makes a valuable contribution on e-tailers adaptation to SDCC with significant managerial implications. There are social, economic and policy implications too. For academicians, this study provides a conceptual framework and serves as a springboard for future research.
Originality/value
The study is unique as perhaps it is one of the first to study e-tailers adaptation to SDCC. It contributes to a body of the literature which is currently scarce but expected to grow exponentially in the coming years.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to extend his appreciation to the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Neil Towers and his team for their efforts in handling the review process and the anonymous reviewers for their developmental feedback, The author also gratefully thanks Dr. Clemens Bechter, Dr. Laszlo Sajtos, Dr. Wided Batat and Dr. Arpita Khare for their insightful comments on this study.
Citation
Halan, D. (2021), "E-tailers adaptation during early stages of “social distancing causing crises”: an exploratory study", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 49 No. 11, pp. 1554-1570. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRDM-11-2020-0475
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited