We demonstrate that art appreciation enhances positive self-concepts, which induce abstract mind-sets and, in turn, endorsements of cultural diversity. Advertisements of a product that feature art and contain embedded ideas about cultural diversity enhance intentions to purchase that product. Furthermore, appreciating artwork increased endorsements of cultural diversity for individuals with positive self-concepts.
Introduction
Consumer ethical behaviors regarding social impact, environmental concern, and ethical practices for the buyer/seller dyad has become a vital issue. A large number of consumers have the willingness to be activists to address potentially threatening environmental problems with foresight (Atkinson & Rosenthal, 2014). Consumers with environment awareness have begun to consider the environmental claims of products, such as environmental protection certification (do Paço & Reis, 2012) and production process with environmental protection regulations (Yoon & Kim, 2016). All such information effectively spreads the environmental protection knowledge to help consumers identify the environmental features of the product (Leonidou, Leonidou, Palihawadana, & Hultman, 2011), and then to conduct consumption behaviors with ethical/moral concerns. However, the related research to examine the relationships between consumer ethical behaviors and their attitudes toward environmental information disclosure in advertising in Asian countries is few. This study’s main purpose is thus to understand how environmental information disclosure in advertising influences consumers’ attitudes toward the brand and their ethical behaviors.
Literature Review
Mitchell, Balabanis, Schlegelmich, and CornWell (2009) argues that all direct or indirect consumer actions that could make businesses or other stakeholders to lose money or reputation are viewed as consumer unethical behaviors. Consumers’ (un)ethical behaviors would be influenced by their moral principles and standards as they obtain, use, and dispose of goods and services (Muncy & Vitell, 1992). First, according to the equity theory, brand equity will increase the relationship intention between sellers and buyers. Those consumers with a high perception about product value or brand equity would tend to build a positive relationship with sellers, and thus their ethical behaviors would be influenced (Chang & Lu, 2017). Consumers’ ethical consumption depends on the equity of the profitability of the seller and this study proposes that brand equity has significant positive effects on consumer ethical behavior (H1). Second, environmental advertising claims refer to the classification of environmental claims in advertising with various environmental protection information about products (do Paço & Reis, 2012). Chan, Leung, and Wong (2006) state the two types of environmental advertising claims. Substantial environmental claims focus on the substantial benefits of products for the environment and the positive impacts of enterprises on the environment in order to substantially maintain or enhance consumers’ understanding of products with environmental awareness (Chan, 2000). Associated environmental claims feature advertising that do not have a direct connection with the products or production of enterprises; instead, they reveal an enterprises’ concern about environmental protection topics through environmental protection activities or topics regarding the conservation of the ecosystem, in order to indirectly trigger the consumers’ positive image and reactions to the enterprises or brands (Chan, 2000). Different environmental advertising claims would have different extents of impact on consumers’ attitude towards advertising and the product (Chan et al., 2006). Chan (2000) states that substantial environmental claims are more persuasive than associated claims, as the advertising of the former could directly publicize the specific environmentally-friendly measures in products or production process. The hypotheses are thus submitted: environmental advertising claims have significant positive effects on brand equity (H2.) and the impact power of substantial environmental claims on brand equity is stronger than those of associated environmental claims (H3). Third, eco-labels provide the information of products toward the environment influence during their life cycles (Atkinson & Rosenthal, 2014; Chekima, Wafa, Igau, Chekima, & Sondoh, 2016) and the claims regarding the eco-features, production, and constituents of the products (Atkinson & Rosenthal, 2014). Maniatis (2016) argues that eco-labels could clearly reveal the economic and ecological benefits of products and help consumers make purchase decisions. Specific claims, such as marks, pictures, or signs, could clearly convey information about the products, which make it easy for consumers to understand. Therefore, hypothesis 4 is submitted: environmental advertising with eco-labels has a significant positive effect on brand equity (H4).
Method
This study used the 2x2 factor experiment to create four situations through two types of environmental advertising claims (substantial and associated environmental advertising claims) and two types of eco-labels (available/unavailable). The manipulation checks with regards to the constructs of environmental advertising claims and eco-label were shown to be successful through a pilot test. On the other hand, this study selected 14-items of Muncy and Vitell’s (1992) scale to measure consumer ethical behaviors. The measuring items of brand equity were taken by Yoo and Donth’s (2001) three-dimensional scale, containing brand awareness/associations, perceived quality, and brand loyalty. Moreover, 294 valid questionnaires were retained in the formal survey via electronic questionnaire survey. Females accounted for 50.7%. Those aged less than 25 occupied a larger proportion (50%), followed by those aged from 26 to 35 (21.8%). The samples with a college education or above accounted for 92.5%. Additionally, the component reliability, convergent and discriminant validity were also confirmed (Bagozzi & Yi, 1988; Fornell & Larcker, 1981) due to the results of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) by Lisrel 8.7.
Results and Conclusion
Based on the ANOVA results, first, environmental advertising claims had significant effects on awareness/association, perceived value, and loyalty. The effects of substantial orientation on brand equity were significantly stronger than that of associated orientation claims. H2 and H3 were fully supported. That is to say, substantial environmental advertising claims could reveal enterprise efforts to protect the environment and inform consumers that the substantial benefits for the ecosystem are embodied in their products. If enterprises want to disclose information about their social responsibility or to convey the contribution of their products toward environmental protection, direct environmental advertising claims related to product features and production processes should be considered. Second, eco-labels significantly affected on awareness/association, perceived value, and loyalty; hence, H4 were supported. Eco-labels verified by a third-party public notary office could enhance brand equity. As eco-label information regarding environmental protection enterprises and products want to convey, consumers can comprehend and evaluate such environmental advertising through the mark of eco-labels in triggering their positive attitude and value toward the brand. Third, this study also found that the interactive effect of environmental advertising claims and eco-label on the awareness/association dimension of brand equity was significant. Consumers are more likely to receive information from the environmental advertising with a substantial claim and eco-label than other sets, and then their perceptions toward that brand awareness and brand association could be improved. Forth, each dimension of awareness/association, perceived value, and brand loyalty had a significant positive effect on consumer’s ethical behaviors by using structural equation modeling (SEM) via Lisrel 8.7; H1 therefore were supported. That is, consumers’ perceived enterprise efforts related to protecting the environment would improve consumers’ ethical behaviors. If advertising could fully and effectively convey the environmental protection information embodied in products, consumers would know that the products are beneficial for society and ecosystems, and thus they would enact ethical activities in the marketplace. Finally, future studies can use random sampling to improve the sample representative. Product type can also be included into the research model in future studies to consider the different product features how to influence the effects of environmental advertising claims and eco-labels on the consumers’ attitudes and behavior decision.
Religion provides one of the most enduring and central value systems for consumers that guides behavior in the marketplace. Prior research is only beginning to explore the role of religion in consumption, especially in how religion influences sustainable consumption. The research herein examines the relationship among religion and sustainable consumption through twenty qualitative interviews of Western religious individuals (Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs; n = 10) and Eastern religious individuals (Hindus, Buddhists, Spirit-Based Faith; n = 10). Findings are discussed in light of sustainability and international marketing outcomes.
The global apparel manufacturers have produced apparel and textiles to meet consumers’ needs. Recently, they have applied the sophisticated technologies and more effective organizational systems to improve the efficiencies in apparel product development and their applications have led to enhancement of consumers’ satisfaction (Kunz, Karpova, & Garner, 2016). In this study, we identified novel approaches of product innovation strategies including technological innovation and organizational effort which a representative mass-scale Bangladeshi apparel manufacturer, Ananta Group has practiced. For data collection, in-depth interviews were conducted with four managerial staffs who were managers and assistant managers working at the research and development (R&D), production, marketing and quality control departments in Ananta Group. The interviewees were male employees having degrees higher than bachelor’s degree in textile engineering. Their work experience years ranged from 5 to 15 years within their respective fields and their ages ranged from 28 to 55 years (m=40). Qualitative approach was used to analyze the data. It was found that Ananta Group has used innovative technologies such as advanced softwares, process systems and machineries in new product development and its organizational effort of running specialized teams of design, new product development, and marketing activities has enhanced technological innovation. These findings provide global apparel manufacturers with valuable information on how product innovation strategies for new apparel development are important and what technological approaches can be used to accomplish it.
For centuries, the smell was considered as an inferior sense, underestimated by scholars who considered it linked to animals and sexuality, thus, unsuitable to knowledge.
The disinterest of our civilisation for olfaction is reflected by the poverty of the language to describe scents, that comes from our lack of education and culture in this field. In addition, the French law states: “the fragrance of a perfume, which proceeds from the simple implementation of a know-how, does not constitute the creation of a form of expression that can benefit from the protection of copyright”. Yet, thanks to its unique climate to grow flowers in Grasse and the implementation of Fashion Houses in Paris, France is the cradle of Fragrance. How then, can we explain that the first perfume museum in Paris opened only a year ago? For Guillaume de Maussion, the initiator of this tremendous project, it seemed unbelievable that such a place didn’t exist in the French capital city, where Perfume industry is an essential part of the heritage.
The Fashion Houses, as Dior, Chanel, Saint-Laurent or Givenchy benefit from this lack of knowledge and spend colossal amounts in Marketing in order to attract consumers. People thus focus on advertisement rather than on the scent and most of the time buy a perfume because of the brainwashing. Fragrances are in this case made with the intention to sell as much as possible. This mass-market industry offers very similar product, at an accessible price and easily available. Consequently, designer brands skimp on the quality using synthetic material and lower concentration. From this aspect, the perfumer is more a technician that aims to seduce the biggest part of the population in order to generate a maximum of profits for the brands. Hence, could perfume be considered as an Art? Is there a future for Fragrance sector, despite the lack of education?
Most perfumer compare themselves to compositors, painters, and artists while creating a perfume. Edmond Roudnitska, widely considered as one of the greatest perfumers of 20st century and creator of masterpieces such as Diorissimo or Eau Sauvage, defined himself as a « perfumer-compositor ». Nevertheless, with the multiplication of alternatives perfumes brands, the Perfume sector reveals itself and spreads its artistry. Indeed, these niches companies perceive the perfumer as an artist, and the fragrance as a creation. They focus on the scent, using the best quality ingredients, know-how and craftsmanship. Niche devotees often argue that boutique perfumes offer the consumer the opportunity to reward oneself with a scent that is both uncommon and individual. These brands are focused on customer experience and relationship, take time to initiate and educate the customer on scents. According to Euromonitor; “The next five years will likely see the proliferation of small, artisan perfume brands hoping to capture millennials’ hearts, minds and noses.”
In addition, a new trend is emerging from perfume experience: olfactory Marketing. Offices, fashion stores, opticians, even bakeries and using this new sensorial dimension. Brands are trying to reinforce their DNA by creating a distinctive scent to make them unique and unforgettable. The scent is completing a visual and auditory experience by bringing soul. Few studies showed that a pleasant fragrance, triggers a positive mood and a customer will stay 30% to 40% longer in a store well perfumed. These facts increase chances to make a purchase and especially to increase loyalty from the customer who will keep a good memory of its experience.
Even though scents were created more than thousands of years ago and evolved over the centuries, Fragrance is still unknown and not recognized as a craft. With the rise of artist-perfumers, a willingness of education on scents, the ease of access to information and a real desire of uniqueness and distinction, there is no doubt that Perfume industry is the Art of tomorrow.
With the development of technology, e-learning has already become popular. According to the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (2016), the total number of e-learning business owners is 1,639, while the market size is 3.4876 trillion won, meaning that it increased by about 1.5 trillion won compared to the market size of 1.9 trillion in 2008. The utilization rate is 58.7%, which is increasing every year.
Currently, college students who are actively using e-learning are Net Generation. The Net Generation means a generation that has encountered and has been using digital since birth (Topscott, 2008). As the Net Generation is familiar with the computer, they can use e-learning services without any difficulty. In addition, according to Kim et al. (2014), college students' computer self-efficacy and the score for e-learning acceptance attitude appeared to be significantly higher
Unlike the Net Generation that has been familiar with computers and the Internet since birth, the middle-aged and older generation aged between 40 and 50 is the generation to learn about digital media in order to adapt to the changed age (Lee et al., 2012). Although the middle-aged and older generation is not familiar with the use of the Internet and computers, the proportion of using e-learning by the middle-aged and older generation is increasing recently. In the 50s, the e-learning use rate is only 37%, but it is also the generation that growth rate is highest when compared with last year. Among the reasons for not using the e-learning in the middle-aged and older generation, 'interested but not aware of how to use it' was ranked #1 as 26.9% and 24.9%, respectively. In addition, future intentions to use the e-learning by users who do not use it among the middle-aged and older generation between 40 and 50 were 67.4% and 75.2%, respectively, showing that many non-users had intentions to use the e-learning in the future (National IT Industry Promotion Agency, 2016). This shows that the interest and demand for the e-learning in the middle-aged and older generation is high, but those who are in the generation are having difficulty accessing it.
As the current middle-aged and older generation who was born in the baby boomer generation is getting closer to retirement, it has a great interest in preparing for old age. Especially in the aging society like now, the 50s are the ages that distinguish between 'ambiguous middle age' and 'extended old age' and that are the time to prepare for life in old age, and the intention of reemployment of the middle-aged and older generation for the preparation of the later years is gradually increasing. In the case of the middle-aged and older generation who is currently looking for re-first because there is not enough old-age income (Kang, 2016). In addition, subsequent re-employment is mainly done in small micro business, skill-related work, and simple labor. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for the preparation for the re-employment as a civil servant who is available to prepare for his/her old age. However, compared to the younger generations in their 20s and 30s, the middle-aged and older students feel a great deal of difficulty in preparing themselves for the civil service examination because they have not studied for a long time, along with technical difficulties.
In terms of the quality of Internet e-learning lecture services, it is expected that there will be differences between the younger generation and the middle-aged and older generation due to technical factors and academic factors. Specifically, adult learners are more mature have more diverse needs and expectations, and before anything else, however, they have a sense of responsibility for home and work compared with regular college students. At the same time, they have a clear desire for learning according to specific goals. It has also been found that there are differences in the level of the use of learning strategies depending on the learners' gender, age, and academic background. Therefore, this study has a purpose of comparing the differences in the e-learning acceptance/satisfaction between the middle-aged and older generation and net generation on the basis of technical factors and academic factors by investigating differences in perception and satisfaction with the e-learning and by analyzing the value satisfaction according to age.
Using Service Dominant Logic (SDL) to place marketing research, this paper conceptualizes and empirically tests the triadic relationship of place branding, souvenir branding, and consumers‟ perceptions of souvenir brands. We propose place branding to be the dominant strategy that encompasses destination product branding and brand personalities of such brands.
Since social media has become an essential tool in the contemporary hotel industry, companies are now building social media communities to engage customers online (Leung & Bai, 2013) and to maintain satisfaction, trust, commitment, loyalty, and brand relationship quality (Harrigan, Evers, Miles, & Daly, 2017). Despite global hotel companies’ increasing adoption of social media platforms to promote customer engagement, research in this area is still sparse (Harrigan et al., 2017; So, King, & Sparks, 2014). To fill this gap, the authors developed a theoretical model incorporating two antecedents (hotel brand experience and customer involvement to social media) and a consequence (brand relationship quality) of customer engagement (CE) in the context of hotel brand communities embedded in social media. Additionally, the authors included hotel brand reputation (HBR) in the model as another predictor of brand relationship quality (BRQ). This study obtained data from a panel survey consisting of the responses of hotel customers who had stayed at one of ten famous hotel brands in the U.S. within the past 12 months and were simultaneously followers of the hotel brand’s page on Facebook. The findings reveal that both antecedents (ISM and HBX) positively and significantly influence CE and that hotel brand experience (HBX) has a stronger impact on CE than ISM. The findings also demonstrate that CE has the strongest, positive effect on BRQ, followed by HBX and HBR. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the relationship between HBX and BRQ is partially and significantly mediated by CE. This research provides theoretical and practical contributions to the field. First, unlike previous studies, the current study utilized the concept of CE with hotel brand communities embedded in social media as a mediator between HBX and BRQ and found partial and significant mediation effects. Second, the study identified two new and crucial antecedents of CE with brand communities embedded in social media—customer brand experience and customer social media involvement. Third, this study found brand relationship quality as one of the primary outcomes of customer engagement with hotel brand communities in social media. Lastly, the findings confirm that social media-based brand communities (i.e., Facebook) are one tool companies can use to build long-lasting customer-brand relationships.
The Portuguese tourism sector has grown steadily in recent years and will continue to generate a series of opportunities and challenges for which answers will be needed to ensure a structured growth path for the sector. Research on CSR in tourism is still sparse (Dwyer and Sheldon, 2007). In an attempt to address this issue, this study analyses whether the CSR consumer perceptions and consumer engagement are significant variables supporting the success of a long-term relationship in the tourism sector as a brand love. Knowing the role of the perceived community, environmental and consumer’s aspects of CRS image, the levels of personal involvement in tourism play an important role in the relationship between the social concerns of tourists, their responsible behaviour and the relationship that they establish with the place. A quantitative methodology was employed for this research. It was used a survey to measure relationships between constructs on a theoretical model. The questionnaires were administered to tourists (nationals and internationals) in the main tourist’s points in the Porto city during the month of October 2017. A sample of tourists produced 958 useable questionnaires. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using maximum likelihood estimation and bootstrapping method was conducted to test the validity of the model and the formulated hypotheses. The results obtained in the estimation of the proposed conceptual model show that in respect to the corporate social responsibility image all the variables considered to explain that image are statistically significant. The tourists CSR image of the city of Porto leads to an increase of brand love and the consumer engagement with the city of Porto leads to an increase of brand love too. This is the first time that this evaluation has been carried out for the Porto city and it proves to be necessary information for the various stakeholders who work in the sector, including local organizations, companies and industry leaders, among others.