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E-Shopping in the Netherlands: Does Geography Matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Sendy Farag
  • Jesse Weltevreden
  • Ton van Rietbergen
  • Martin Dijst
  • Frank van Oort

    (Netherlands Institute for Spatial Research (RPB), PO Box 30314, 2500 GH The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Why consumers shop via the Internet, is a frequently asked question. As yet, the impact of spatial variables on e-shopping has received little attention. In this paper we report our investigation of the spatial distribution of Internet users and online buyers in the Netherlands for the time period 1996–2001 and the impact of spatial variables (residential environment and shop accessibility) on e-shopping. Two hypotheses are tested empirically. The first is that e-shopping is a predominantly urban phenomenon, because new technology usually starts in centres of innovation (innovation-diffusion hypothesis). The second is that people are more likely to adopt e-shopping when their accessibility to shops is relatively low (efficiency hypothesis). Our findings indicate that Internet use and online buying are still largely urban phenomena in the Netherlands, but that there is a trend towards diffusion to the weakly urbanised and rural areas. Not only the innovation diffusion hypothesis, but also the efficiency hypothesis is confirmed by our findings. People living in a (very) strongly urbanised area have a higher likelihood of buying online, but people with a low shop accessibility buy more often online. The analysis also shows that the support for the two hypotheses depends on the type of product. Airline tickets are still mainly bought in very strongly urbanised areas, whereas compact discs, videos, DVDs, and clothing are bought relatively more often in weakly urbanised areas. In conclusion, geography seems to matter for e-shopping.

Suggested Citation

  • Sendy Farag & Jesse Weltevreden & Ton van Rietbergen & Martin Dijst & Frank van Oort, 2006. "E-Shopping in the Netherlands: Does Geography Matter?," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 33(1), pages 59-74, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:33:y:2006:i:1:p:59-74
    DOI: 10.1068/b31083
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sinai, Todd & Waldfogel, Joel, 2004. "Geography and the Internet: is the Internet a substitute or a complement for cities?," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 56(1), pages 1-24, July.
    2. Martin Dijst, 2004. "ICTs and Accessibility: An Action Space Perspective on the Impact of New Information and Communication Technologies," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Michel Beuthe & Veli Himanen & Aura Reggiani & Luca Zamparini (ed.), Transport Developments and Innovations in an Evolving World, chapter 3, pages 27-46, Springer.
    3. Michael R. Ward, 2001. "Will Online Shopping Compete More with Traditional Retailing or Catalog Shopping?," Netnomics, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 103-117, September.
    4. Michel Beuthe & Veli Himanen & Aura Reggiani & Luca Zamparini (ed.), 2004. "Transport Developments and Innovations in an Evolving World," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-540-24827-9, Fall.
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