Table A2.

Codebook

Code/sub-codeCode typeDefinitionIllustrative example
Theme 1: Dual-role participation in live shopping marketplaces [Inductive]
1.1 Buyer entry motivationsInductiveReasons cited by buyers for joining the platform, spanning hedonic (entertainment, novelty) and utilitarian (deal-seeking, product access) drivers“if you’re looking for fun and to buy what your look for this is the app” (R8)
1.2 Seller entry motivationsInductiveInstrumental reasons articulated by sellers for participating, including market access, reduced platform barriers and income generation“I make good passive income flipping collectibles here” (R267)
1.3 Role transition: buyer to sellerInductiveAccounts of users narrating a shift from sole buyer to active seller, often prompted by community familiarity and product knowledge“..I’m a buyer and a seller”; “I love this app I buy and I sell..” (R242; R89)
1.4 Community–commerce reinforcement loopInductiveThe self-reinforcing dynamic in which social integration drives continued platform engagement, which in turn deepens relational ties and purchase frequency“greatest community I’ve ever been a part of” (R378); “Great way to build a loyal community!” (R376)
1.5 Addiction and compulsive engagementInductiveExplicit user acknowledgements of habit-forming or loss-of-control behavior in relation to platform use, including financial overspending“Be Careful! It’s Addictive!” (R101); “I spend way too much money here” (R801)
1.6 New seller structural disadvantageInductiveExperiences of asymmetric visibility and access faced by newer sellers because of algorithmic and reputational dynamics favoring established streamers“Awesome to buy on but very hard to sell on as a new seller” (R257)
Theme 2: Marketplace experience and community [Inductive]
2.1 Platform as relational infrastructureInductivePerceptions of the marketplace as an active agent that enables or constrains buyer–seller relationships through its design, policies and technical performance“WHATNOT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THE WORST … THEY WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY” (R126)
2.1.1 Positive platform experienceInductiveReviews affirming smooth functionality, user-friendly interface and overall satisfaction with platform operations“Safe and convenient to use” (R1); “great UI and easy to navigate” (R1033)
2.1.2 Technical failures and performance issuesInductiveReports of app crashes, bid timer desynchronization, streaming glitches and update-related disruptions that impede participation“the timer does not synch properly … making it impossible to bid” (R206)
2.1.3 Customer service and dispute resolutionInductiveEvaluations of the platform’s responsiveness to complaints, refund processing and accountability enforcement“every time I haven’t gotten a product that I purchased 100% of the money was refunded. I trust Whatnot completely” (R862); “Terrible customer service” (R1061)
2.2 Community belonging and social integrationInductiveExpressions of affective attachment to the platform community, including shared identity, camaraderie and informal social norms“It is like one big party!!” (R1086); “great community, especially the magic scene” (R364)
2.3 Community as informal governanceInductiveInstances where community members actively policed norms, warned peers about problematic sellers and amplified or suppressed reputations“To many scammers on this app that’s hurting the community” (R318); warnings shared among buyers (R307–R315)
Theme 3: The role of trust in live shopping marketplaces [Inductive]
3.1 Platform-level trustInductiveConfidence in the marketplace’s integrity, fairness and capacity to protect participants through governance, dispute resolution and seller oversight“I trust Whatnot completely” (R862); “They do not hold sellers accountable” (R137)
3.1.1 Trust in platform governanceInductivePositive assessments of the platform’s enforcement, protection policies and overall structural reliability“Whatnot does work with you if something is wrong” (R1043); “whatnot has great policies to protect buyer and seller” (R352)
3.1.2 Platform accountability failureInductivePerceptions that the marketplace tolerates or enables seller misconduct, resulting in loss of institutional trust“The app is riddled with scammers, and the company … ruled in favor of keeping proven scammers” (R316)
3.2 Seller-level trustInductiveConfidence in individual seller reliability, honesty and competence, formed through live-stream observation and transaction history“most honest seller on WhatNot and his store is all for his family” (R621)
3.2.1 Performed authenticityInductiveConsistent, personally expressive stream conduct interpreted by viewers as evidence of genuine character and reliability“most honest seller on WhatNot … his offers are outta this human world” (R621)
3.2.2 Transparency enactmentInductiveReal-time product inspection and full disclosure during live streams that reduce informational asymmetry beyond what static listings permit“always a good time … great grading of the slabs” (R63)
3.2.3 Narrative embeddingInductivePersonal stories shared by sellers during streams that create biographical coherence and invite trust through perceived shared humanity“his store is all for his family” – biographical framing (R621)
3.3 Dual-object trust managementInductiveSimultaneous, independent calibration of trust in the platform and in individual sellers, where each assessment may diverge and partially compensate for the other“you just need to weed through the streamers to find one right and good for you” (R862)
Theme 4: Antecedents of relationship commitment and trust [Deductive – CTT]
4.1 Relationship termination costsDeductiveAnticipated losses – financial, social and collection-related – associated with leaving the platform or a specific seller relationship“I love this app, since I have found this app I haven’t shopped anywhere else” (R493)
4.1.1 Collection integrity as switching barrierDeductiveThe perceived cost of losing access to trusted curation and completing collections as a driver of platform retention“I have completed quite a few collections and met a ton of really cool people” (R274)
4.1.2 Community status and recognition lossDeductiveLoss of social standing, chat recognition and peer relationships that would result from exiting the platformRegular buyers citing community friendships as reasons for staying despite negative experiences (R223; R274)
4.2 Relationship benefitsDeductivePerceived net advantages of the buyer–seller relationship, including transactional gains, preferential treatment and relational capital“been great and made lots great friends on here and get deals” (R223)
4.2.1 Transactional benefitsDeductiveConcrete economic advantages such as competitive pricing, exclusive deals and fast shipping relative to alternatives“great items put on and all have very fast shipping” (R180); “great deals every day” (R227)
4.2.2 Interactional and relational benefitsDeductiveNon-monetary benefits from ongoing interaction, including friendship, community belonging and personalized seller engagement“Participating in live auctions and bidding in real time is genuinely engaging” (R34)
4.2.3 Preferential treatment and reciprocityDeductiveBuyers receiving better deals, early access or personalized shout-outs perceived as earned through demonstrated loyalty“been great and made lots great friends on here and get deals” (R223) — ongoing engagement yielding both social and transactional reciprocal benefits
4.3 Shared valuesDeductivePerceived alignment between buyer and seller in beliefs, conduct, ethical standards and goals, as observable through live stream behavior“They take care of customers and have pride in their work. Quality people in my eyes” (R497)
4.3.1 Value alignment cuesDeductiveSignals used by buyers to infer value congruence, including grading transparency, chat moderation conduct and charitable initiatives“lots of interaction, and great cards and variety … great grading of the slabs” (R63)
4.3.2 Value violation and betrayalDeductivePerceived deception where initial alignment had elevated expectations, resulting in heightened trust damage“Some of the vendors don’t disclose everything on the products sold” (R945)
4.4 CommunicationDeductiveTimely and meaningful information exchange between buyers and sellers enabled by live-streaming’s synchronous, two-way format“I love watching the auctions and choppin it up with fellow Funko Pop Finatics” (R390)
4.4.1 Interactional immediacy (live advantage)DeductiveThe perception of unmediated access to sellers in real time that generates relational closeness rapidly and signals trustworthiness“get place to buy and watch streams. make friends and chat” (R674)
4.4.2 Communication failure and rude conductDeductiveInstances of delayed, dismissive or absent responses by sellers or the platform that signal unreliability and erode trust“I won’t buy from rude sellers”; “the seller … has no communication skills” (R1043; R135)
4.5 Opportunistic behaviorDeductiveSelf-serving actions by sellers or the platform that exploit participants, often through deception or inadequate disclosure“App is riddled with scammers … Avoid at all costs” (R316)
4.5.1 Non-disclosure of defects and misrepresentationDeductiveSeller failure to reveal product flaws, resealed packaging or inauthentic items during live streams“the pops are damaged and you can’t tell until you receive them … not disclosed by sellers” (R843)
4.5.2 Mystery box and gambling-like mechanicsDeductivePlatform-sanctioned chance-based selling formats that exploit FOMO and uncertainty, amplifying financial risk for buyers“mystery box streams that are very blatantly just unregulated gambling” (R876)
4.5.3 Platform complicity in seller misconductDeductiveBuyer perceptions that the marketplace protects or retains dishonest sellers, attributing systemic opportunism to the platform“the company … repeatedly ruled in favor of keeping proven scammers” (R316)
Theme 5: Outcomes of relationship commitment and trust [Deductive – CTT]
5.1 AcquiescenceDeductiveWillingness to comply with or defer to seller recommendations, platform policies or curated bundles, based on trust and commitment“my favorite seller Head_over_deals has the best created merchandise on the planet” (R243)
5.1.1 Expert deferenceDeductiveBuyers actively accepting seller judgements on product quality, grading or authenticity in expertise-intensive categoriesBuyers following trusted sellers’ grading calls and pricing in collectibles streams (R63; R243)
5.1.2 Habitual purchasingDeductiveRepeated buying from the same seller without deliberate evaluation, reflecting relationship-based loyalty over systematic comparison“I pretty much buy everything I need here” (R1100); “since I found this app I haven’t shopped anywhere else” (R493)
5.2 Propensity to leaveDeductivePerceived likelihood of terminating the buyer–seller relationship or leaving the platform, expressed as intent, threat or accomplished exit“I will not be using this app moving forward” (R135)
5.2.1 Gradual disengagementDeductiveSlow reduction in engagement frequency or spending, often following repeated minor disappointments“Had to stop buying from Whatnot. More times than not the pops are damaged” (R843)
5.2.2 Dramatic or public exitDeductiveAbrupt, often publicly announced platform departure following a critical trust-eroding incident“I had to delete the app”; public announcements of unfollowing in chat (R427)
5.2.3 Conditional or temporary exitDeductiveUsers who leave the platform but return when conditions improve, maintaining partial commitment that enables re-entryReviewer reports mounting stream bugs, continues conditionally, then self-edits: “whatnot has been working great, all issues I had before are all fixed” (R651)
5.3 CooperationDeductiveCollaborative behaviors by buyers and sellers directed at mutual goal achievement, including peer-to-peer assistance within the community“people are helpful also if there are problems” (R1091)
5.3.1 Buyer–seller cooperative behaviorDeductiveInstances of coordinated action between buyers and sellers to resolve issues, negotiate terms or provide mutual support“people are helpful also if there are problems. Whatnot will help. Their response time is awesome” (R1091)
5.3.2 Peer-to-peer community assistanceDeductiveBuyers help other buyers by greeting newcomers, advising on bidding etiquette or sharing information about sellers“Friendly, fun community of seller’s, shoppers and knowledgeable people who are willing … to help. It is like one big party!!” (R1086)
5.4 Functional conflictDeductiveDisagreements between buyers and sellers (or with the platform) that, when managed constructively, reinforce relationship commitment through demonstrated fairness“why are the sellers allow to block a buyer when we give honest comments” (R1048)
5.4.1 Constructive conflict resolutionDeductiveDisputes resolved visibly and fairly, strengthening commitment among parties who witness or experience equitable remediation“Thankfully whatnot does work with you if something is wrong” (R1043)
5.4.2 Destructive conflict and relationship exitDeductiveUnresolved or mishandled disputes that deepen dissatisfaction and accelerate disengagement or platform departureSellers blocking buyers who leave critical feedback; users abandoning the app after unresolved refund disputes (R1048; R135)
5.5 UncertaintyDeductiveLack of information or predictability that constrains confident decision-making; trust functions as the primary mechanism for reducing uncertainty in rapid live-auction contexts“Chats are fun and you really get to review your item before bidding on it” (R1100)
5.5.1 Trust as uncertainty reductionDeductiveHigh trust enabling confident, higher-value bidding by removing the need for repeated due diligence on seller reliability“Freaky Fast Shipping and Extremely Professional. Highly Recommend” (R176)
5.5.2 Heightened uncertainty and suppressed engagementDeductiveLow trust leading to hedging strategies (trial purchases, smaller bids) or complete withdrawal from the platform“installed as I just got into Pokemon … too many reviews about scammers … no thanks” (R708)

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