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An Assessment of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumer Behavior Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process Model

Author

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  • Marko Šostar

    (Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Pozega, Josip Juraj University in Osijek, Vukovarska 17, 31000 Pozega, Croatia)

  • Vladimir Ristanović

    (Institute of European Studies, Square of Nikola Pašić 11, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Consumer behavior is dynamic and can shift rapidly due to various factors. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented market disruptions, prompting unique consumer reactions. Our foundational study dissected factors affecting consumer habits, laying the groundwork for a focused analysis of how individual consumption was impacted during the pandemic. Significantly, psychological influences emerged as a key determinant of consumer behavior in our prior findings, leading us to centralize the pandemic’s effect in our recent research. We undertook this analysis using data from 559 participants from the Republic of Croatia. Utilizing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), typically applied in analyses of decision making in businesses, we ranked the influences on consumer purchasing patterns amidst the pandemic. Our findings underscored the profound influence of these factors on consumer behavior and the resulting implications for sustainable development. This highlights the urgency for businesses to adopt flexible strategies that also support overarching sustainability objectives. The objective of the study is to analyze the impact of the pandemic on individual consumption and to understand the key psychological factors influencing consumer behavior. The main contribution of this work is the identification and ranking of pandemic influences using the AHP model, as well as understanding the implications of these behavioral changes for future planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Marko Šostar & Vladimir Ristanović, 2023. "An Assessment of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Consumer Behavior Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-31, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:15104-:d:1264121
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marko Šostar & Vladimir Ristanović, 2024. "Evaluating Consumer Preferences for Sustainable Products: A Comparative Study Across Five Countries," World, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska & Hanna Łosyk, 2024. "Changes in Sustainable Development in Manufacturing in Cases of Unexpected Occurrences—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Vladimir Ristanović & Dinko Primorac & Barbara Dorić, 2024. "The Importance of Green Investments in Developed Economies—MCDM Models for Achieving Adequate Green Investments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Marko Å ostar & Ines Å koko, 2024. "Unpacking the Complexities of Energy Renovation Programs for Family Houses: Case Study of Croatia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 14(4), pages 12-25, July.

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