Early COVID-19 outbreak, individuals’ mask attitudes and purchase intentions: a cohesive care

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore individuals’ attitudes and intentions towards mask purchase in Pakistan at an initial outbreak of COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach The study is quantitatively based on the cross-sectional data. The data are collected through a survey questionnaire. Convenience sampling strategy is used to target the individuals of Pakistan. At the first, 650 questionnaires were distributed. In return, the authors received 321 raw samples with the response rate of 53.5%. Finally, 316 useful samples are proceeded to infer the final results. Findings The structural equation model’s results demonstrate a positive and significant effect of fear of complication of COVID-19, knowledge about COVID-19 and health consciousness on attitudes towards the mask. Further, attitudes towards mask are found to be the robust analyst of mask purchase intention. Research limitations/implications The study used cross-sectional data through a single source of data collection. The findings of the survey are on the sample size of 316. Practical implications The study would help policymakers to formulate the strategies to make aware individuals regarding their health and COVID-19 issues. The study would provide the guidelines to the government agents of Pakistan to combat with COVID-19 through the purchase of mask. The shopkeepers would be aware to observe the intentions and attitudes of consumers towards mask. Originality/value The outcomes of this study offer a shred of empirical evidence for attitudes and intentions regarding the purchase of mask, particularly for developing country settings.

COVID‐19 impediments and business start‐ups in Pakistan: Evidence from the second wave of the pandemic

“…The lockdown period significantly affected stock performance and various business segments (Anh & Gan, 2020). Factors such as health consciousness, fear, and knowledge of COVID‐19 were significant predictors of attitudes towards mask purchases (Shah et al, 2020). van der Wielen and Barrios (2020) claimed that people were expressively more outspoken about the subsequent fear in the European nations hit the hardest in their economic standing.…”

“…These factors have been tested with other outcome variables, such as unpredictability of supply and demand; individuals' mental health; attitudes and intentions towards wearing masks; and intentions to start a business during the pandemic (Guerrieri et al, 2020; Shah et al, 2020). Despite this, we found a lack of evidence in developing economies highlighting the effect of pandemic factors during the second wave on businesses or start‐ups (Fabeil et al, 2020; Shah et al, 2020). Hence, the study has developed the following hypotheses:H1 Fear of COVID‐19 ( FC ) significantly and negatively affects business start‐ups ( BS ).H2 COVID‐19 stress and anxiety ( SA ) significantly and negatively affect business start‐ups ( BS ).H3 Perceptions of the arrival of COVID‐19's second wave ( ASW ) significantly and negatively affect business start‐ups ( BS ).…”

“…Entrepreneurs are significant as they are individuals who constantly face challenges and threats from the economic mechanisms, natural disasters, and human behavior (Doern et al, 2019). Entrepreneurs may feel more uncertainty, boredom, anxiety, and isolation due to business downturns and fluctuations (Shah et al, 2020). They may also feel more grief and fear over the effects of the coronavirus on their families and business (WHO, 2020b).…”

“…These factors have been tested with other outcome variables, such as unpredictability of supply and demand; individuals' mental health; attitudes and intentions towards wearing masks; and intentions to start a business during the pandemic (Guerrieri et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2020). Despite this, we found a lack of evidence in developing economies highlighting the effect of pandemic factors during the second wave on businesses or start-ups (Fabeil et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2020). Hence, the study has developed the following hypotheses: H1.…”

“…Stress is also a significant factor that substantially affects the likelihood of new venture termination, diminishing satisfaction and entrepreneurial performance (Örtqvist, 2007) In conclusion, the literature related to COVID-19 has highlighted the constructs, namely, fear, anxiety, stress, perceptions of the arrival of COVID-19, consumer behavior, and economic uncertainty, that are significant challenges to the ways in which businesses and entrepreneurship develop (Ahorsu et al, 2020;Donthu & Gustafsson, 2020;G omez et al, 2020;Pervichko et al, 2020). These factors have been tested with other outcome variables, such as unpredictability of supply and demand; individuals' mental health; attitudes and intentions towards wearing masks; and intentions to start a business during the pandemic (Guerrieri et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2020). Despite this, we found a lack of evidence in developing economies highlighting the effect of pandemic factors during the second wave on businesses or start-ups (Fabeil et al, 2020;Shah et al, 2020).…”