Legal and Illegal Souvenir Shoppers; Identifying and Comparing Factors Affecting Purchasing Behavior between Legal and Illegal Afghan Immigrants

In recent decades, tourism has played a significant role in the economies of many countries. One of the crucial elements in tourism is souvenir shopping. However, there is no research exploring Afghan souvenir shopping behavior. In addition, there is no research analysis of legal and illegal shoppers. The main objective of the present study is to identify the factors influencing Afghan immigrants’ selection of souvenirs, as well as to compare and analyze the purchasing behavior of legal and illegal Afghan immigrants. The research method employed in the current study is a qualitative approach with a semi-structured interview technique. Interviews were conducted with ۴۵ individuals, including legal and illegal Afghan immigrants, comprising tourists, traders, students, and workers traveling to Iran. The data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method. According to the research findings, the influential factors on souvenir selection by legal immigrants include: "Tourism-Centric Nature of Souvenirs", "Needs and Expectations", "Diverse Shopping Styles", "Cultural and Ethnic Lenses", "Ethical Considerations", and "Real and Virtual Worlds”. Additionally, the influential factors of souvenir selection by illegal immigrants include: "Economic Conditions", "Purchase Motivation", "Affordability", "Collective Shopping Style", "Cultural and Ethnic Lenses", "Ethical Considerations", and "Real World Influence". Finally, it offers a comparison of purchasing behavior between legal and illegal societies. This study adds to the current body of knowledge by exploring a novel context.

Keywords:

Souvenir , Tourism , Legal Immigrants , Illegal Immigrants , Thematic Analysis , afghan