Understanding Web Information Search Behavior: An Exploratory Model

Information search behavior is a key concept in the study of consumer behavior. Information search behavior has been extensively studied in traditional consumer decision-making environments. Studies include: Copeland (1917), Katona and Mueller (1955), Kiel and Layton (1981), Newman and Lockeman (1975), Punj and Staelin (1983), Srinivasan and Ratchford (1991), and Titus and Everett (1995, 1996). In addition, researchers from other disciplines have researched information search in other environments. Examples include: physical shopping environments (Titus and Everett,1995, 1996); hypertext (Conklin, 1987; Kerr, 1990; McDonald and Stevenson, 1996; Mohageg, 1992); and, Web browser usage (Catledge and Pitkow, 1995; Tauscher, 1996; Tauscher and Greenberg, 1997). A number of models of information search behavior have been formulated. Notable examples include Maute ABSTRACT