Högskolan i Skövde

Using a large representative sample of the Swedish population, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between online shopping of medicines and personality traits (i.e. degree of Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism). In total, 1622 persons responded to a questionnaire, including measures of online shopping of medicines and personality traits. Our findings indicated that online shopping of medicines is associated with high degree of Openness and Neuroticism. The study relies on two different personality inventories that revealed the same result. 

The aim is to investigate the value basis of Socially Responsible Retirement Investments (SRRI) in a study of Swedish pension investors in the age range 18 to 65 years (N=1005). Logistic regression analyses were performed with self-reported SRRI choice as dependent variable and different levels of values as independent variables. On a higher level of analyses, self-transcendent values, especially universalism (e.g., equality, protecting the environment, and social justice), have the most important influences on SRRI choice. In contrast, on a lower-level analysis, SRRI choice is influenced by self-enhancement values with high priority for authoritarian power and low priority for wealth. The three-level analysis of values (self-transcendence vs self-enhancement value orientation, motivational domain, and value) questions the contradiction between dimension poles of values and the structuring of values in interrelated motivational domains. The results thereby clarify some previous findings and increase the understanding of the value basis of SRR

The present study aims to explore online shopping of groceries across generation cohorts in Sweden during Covid-19, particularly regarding the oldest generation cohort—the Dutifuls (born 1945 or earlier). The data were collected through three large surveys, representative for the Swedish population in the age range 18–85. The field period for the first survey was September 17, 2018–January 21, 2019 (N = 1754). The field period for the second survey was April 14–June 28, 2020 (N = 2501). The field period for the third survey was September 20–December 30, 2021 (N = 1588). Online grocery shopping in Sweden has increased remarkably since the outbreak of Covid-19, especially among the Dutifuls. However, the same generation cohort decreased their online shopping of groceries in the end of 2021. The findings are discussed in relation to limitations and practical implications. The decline of online shopping of groceries among the Dutifuls needs to be followed-up and explained by further research. 

Introduction: This study analyzes the effects of personality traits on the stockpiling of groceries in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample is representative of the UK population in terms of age, gender, and residential area. Methods: We collected the data through five rounds of web surveys during the spring of 2020 (N = 1025). We used the Big Five Inventory (BFI-10) to measure personality traits. We analyzed the data using independent t-Tests and logistic regression. Results: The independent t-Tests show that "stockpilers" have a higher degree of Neuroticism and a lower degree of Agreeableness and Conscientiousness than "nonstockpilers." Logistic regressions moreover show that differences in Neuroticism are related to other personality traits, and that differences in Agreeableness are largely related to age and residential area. The low degree of Conscientiousness among "stockpilers" remains, after we controlled for other factors in the model (i.e., personality traits, gender, age, and residential area). Discussion: We discuss the findings regarding previous research. Understanding personality traits and stockpiling is important to prepare and manage similar extraordinary situations that may occur in the future.

The present study aimed to explore the online shopping of medicines from demographic, geographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors. A quantitative survey design was used with a quote sample representing the Swedish population regarding age, gender, and residential area. In total, 1863 persons responded to a survey, including measures of age, gender, income, education, area of residence, personality traits (BFI-10), values (Rokeach Value Survey), self-estimated health-status, internet usage, online shopping in general, and online shopping of medicines. Firstly, the data were analyzed with chi-squares and independent t-tests. From these initial analyses, online shopping of medicines was associated with young age, female gender, high income and education, living in a big city, extraversion, several values of desirable end-states of existence (e.g., self-respect, a sense of accomplishment, and pleasure), internet usage, and general online shopping. Secondly, the significant (p < 0.05) variables from the initial analysis were included in a logistic regression analysis. This comprehensive model showed that online medication shoppers are best predicted by being female and the use of internet. Unlike what was previously known about medication shoppers, the typical online medication shopper appears to be driven by hedonistic values and self-actualization, rather than health status. We suggest that further research replicate this study outside and inside Sweden, and that health status is measured in a different way. 

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate whether loan officers' risk taking in credit decisions are associated with their personal financial risk preference and personality traits or solely with bank-contextual and loan-relevant factors. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey administered in six large Swedish banks to 163 loan officers responsible for assessing credit risk and approval of loan applications. The loan officers rated their likelihood of approving fictitious loan applications from business companies. Findings: The loan officers' credit risk taking is associated with bank-contextual factors, directly with perceived organizational credit risk norms and indirectly with self-confidence in assessing credit risks through attitude to credit risk taking. A direct association is also found with personal financial risk preference but not with personality traits. Research limitations/implications: Increased awareness of that loan officers' personal financial risk preference is associated with their credit risk taking in loan decisions but that the banks' risk policy has a stronger association. Banks' managements and boards should therefore assure that their credit risk policy is implemented, followed and being aligned with their performance incentives. Practical implications: Increased awareness of that loan officers' credit risk taking is associated with personal financial risk preference but more strongly with the banks' risk policy that motivate banks' managements and boards to assure that their credit risk policy is implemented, followed and being aligned with their performance incentives. Originality/value: The first study which directly compare the associations of loan officers' risk taking in credit approvals with personal risk preference and personality traits versus bank-contextual factors and loan-relevant information. 

Using a large representative sample of the Swedish population, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality and frequency of online shopping. On three different occasions, surveys were sent out to 9,000 Swedish residents using a systematic random sampling procedure. In total, 5,238 individuals responded to the survey which, inter alia, included measures of the FFM of personality (i.e., HP5i, 15 items) and online shopping. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the HP5i. To examine whether and to what extent the FFM predicted self-reported frequency of online shopping, a hierarchical regression analysis was conducted in which gender and age were used as control variables. Our findings indicated that online shopping was positively associated with Openness to experience (i.e., openness to feelings) and Extraversion (i.e., hedonic capacity), and negatively associated with Conscientiousness (i.e., a high degree of impulsiveness). These results suggest that online shoppers are affective, hedonic, and impulsive; that is, characteristics that contrast with the classical view of online shoppers as cognitive, utilitarian, and goal-directed. We argue that these results, alongside the use of a large representative sample and frequency of online purchase, are a needed addition to previous research as previous research studies mainly have focused on the intention or motivation to online shopping using smaller non-representative samples. Implications for online retailers and society as well as directions for future research are discussed.

We examine the influence of personality on car driving, usage of public transport and cycling. Personality is measured through the Big Five personality traits (i.e., Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism) and Environmental personality. Data were collected through a Web-based panel of adult citizen in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden (N = 1068). Age, gender, income, children at home and residential area were used as control variables. Car driving is influenced by low degree of Openness, high degree of Conscientiousness, and low degree of Environmental personality. Usage of public transport is influenced by low degree of Conscientiousness, high degree of Agreeableness, and high degree of Environmental personality. Cycling is foremost influenced by a high degree of Environmental personality. 

In the present study, the relationship between hedonic capacity and online shopping is explored through a Swedish nationally representative sample. A survey was distributed to 3000 citizens. The number of respondents was 1591 (response rate: 53%). Ordinal regression analyses were conducted in order to test the association between hedonic capacity and online shopping. The dependent variable was online shopping frequencies. Gender, age, and individual income were control variables. Our findings indicated that hedonic capacity was positively associated with online shopping (p &lt; 0.001). The findings propose that online shopping primarily is triggered by emotions and affect rather than reasoning and cognition. Such insights can be used in strategical marketing and technological decisions by academy and industry, as well as in Web site design and communication.

Studies examining the relationship between personality and Internet usage have usually used small and non-representative samples. In the present study, we examine the relationship between the Five Factor Model of Personality and Internet usage in a large nationally representative Swedish sample (N = 1694). Neuroticism was negatively associated with overall Internet usage, whereas extraversion and openness to experience were shown to be positively associated with overall Internet usage. However, exploring these associations across categories of Internet usage and generation cohorts revealed some other interesting patterns. Specifically, neuroticism was negatively associated with using the Internet for activities relating to information and duties but not for leisure and social activities. Extraversion was positively associated with using the Internet for leisure and social activities among DotNets (born 1977–1999), whereas among Dutifuls (born 1910–1945) and Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964) extraversion was positively associated with using the Internet for information and duty activities. Openness to experience was positively associated with Internet usage but only among Baby Boomers. Conscientiousness was a significant predictor of Internet usage only for DotNets and GenXers (born 1965–1976). In these cohorts, conscientiousness was positively associated with using the Internet for information and duty activities but negatively associated with using the Internet for leisure and social activities. Apparently, understanding the relationship between personality and Internet usage is not possible without considering the modifying role of categories of Internet usage and generation cohorts. The implications of the results for theory and practice are discussed in detail.