The role of trait and emotion in cruise customers’ impulsive buying behavior: an empirical study

The concept of impulsive buying is important because it offers an opportunity to enhance profits. Despite the effect of impulsive purchase in the service environment, limited research has been conducted to understand customers’ impulsive buying behavior. Given the unique characteristic of cruise experience, this study aims to investigate the relationship between individuals’ traits, emotions, and impulsive buying behavior. PLS–SEM tests the hypotheses using a sample of 143 cruise customers. Based on trait activation theory, results reveal that impulsive buying tendency has an impact on positive and negative affects and impulsive buying behavior. Furthermore, customers’ emotion mediates the relationship between impulsive buying tendency and behavior. Findings improve the understanding regarding the psychological mechanism of cruise customers’ impulsive buying behavior.