Title: A survey of consumers' attitudes towards online purchase of contact lenses in Japan

Authors: Tatsuya Nomura, Yoshito Hirayama, Hiroki Iwashima, Shinichi Sakaguchi

Addresses: Department of Media Informatics, Ryukoku University, 1-5, Yokotani, Seta-ohe-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2194, Japan. ' Graduate School of Sociology, Ryukoku University, 1-5, Yokotani, Seta-ohe-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2194, Japan. ' Department of Media Informatics, Ryukoku University, 1-5, Yokotani, Seta-ohe-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2194, Japan. ' Yonekura Eye Clinic, 1-21-501, Katsube, Moriyama, Shiga 520-0041, Japan

Abstract: A survey with 324 respondents was conducted to explore factors influencing Japanese consumers| intentions to use the internet for the purchase of contact lenses. Analysis of the results revealed four types of consumers: (a) those who were strongly against using contact lenses and as a result did not intend to use the internet for their purchase, (b) those who had positive attitudes towards use of the internet for purchasing contact lenses, (c) those who preferred the current situation of purchasing contact lenses without using the internet and (d) those who were not unfavourable to purchase contact lenses via the internet.

Keywords: e-healthcare; electronic healthcare; contact lenses; online purchasing; e-pharmacy; electronic pharmacy; user study; consumer attitudess; Japan; online shopping; internet.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEH.2010.034174

International Journal of Electronic Healthcare, 2010 Vol.5 No.3, pp.231 - 244

Published online: 16 Jul 2010 *

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