هلع الشراء في العراق وعمان في ظل جائحة كورونا: دراسة مقارنة

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic affected most areas of life, including the economic sphere in all its aspects. This study aimed to measure the level of panic buying among the study sample as a whole resulting from the outbreak of this pandemic. It also sought to find out the differences in panic buying between Iraqi and the Omani individuals, according to the variables of gender, age, educational level, and job type. To achieve these goals, the study used the scale developed by Lins and Aquino to measure panic buying. After confirming its psychometric properties, it was applied to a sample of 570 individuals of different age groups to both genders with different educational levels and different jobs. The results of the research revealed the existence of panic buying behavior in Iraqi and Omani societies considering the emerging coronavirus pandemic. It also revealed the existence of differences in panic buying behavior according to the variables of gender, age, and education. Moreover, the study revealed the absence of differences according to the variables of  job type and the location of the country. The study recommended the need to spread a balanced consumer culture at times of crises, and to adopt a cognitive strategy that contributes to strengthening the concepts of rationalization. The study also recommended the need to raise awareness of panic buying behavior, through all means, most importantly the media, with the aim of promoting rationalization of consumption and mitigating the psychological impact of the pandemic.