Introduction The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between site features toward ecommerce and consumer attitude. For completion of this study, 598 online shopping experience for consumers participated in Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Shenyang and conducted questionnaires. All data were analyzed by using the experimental method and By means of SPSS Ver 20.0 and AMOS 20.0 program to identify the relationship between site features toward ecommerce, User satisfaction, Use attitude towards the site and reuse intention in China. The results were followings: among site features toward ecommerce, Easy of use, Interaction, Information and executive ability influenced user satisfaction in China. User satisfaction have significant influence on use attitude toward the site. User satisfaction have significant influence on reuse intention. Use attitude toward the site have significant influence on reuse intention. And relation between site attributes toward online store and user satisfaction a portion moderated by e-WOM. Theoretical Frameworks With the use of the Internet and the popularization, the countries all over the world with the rapid expansion of scale, e-commerce application field of the economy in China has gradually been fully applied, more related to our life brought new development business services, the network shopping as a necessary to modern one of consumer behavior, and gradually developed into a new fashion. Under this background, the consumer online shopping, shopping website feature dimension has become an important factor that influence the online consumer behavior by academic circles in recent years. Literature, website characteristic dimension is discussed(Khaled Hsanein, 2007;Ying-Feng Kuo, 2012;Marie-Odile Richard, 2015;Jill Mosteller, 2014), user satisfaction, use the site attitude and intention to use consumer experience for shopping website features dimension problem, enrich the theory of shopping website feature dimension system. But concluded, abroad, especially in the United States consumer market based on shopping website feature dimension effect on user satisfaction research conclusion of the path itself is not the same. For example: Featherman & Pavlou(2003);Pavlou(2003); O`Cass&Fenech(2003)according to a study of cognitive useful online shopping intention have significant direct impact to the user the study of cognitive usability has a significant effect on shopping intention, but (Jinsoo Park ea al, 2004; Rong-An Shang, 2005)cognitive usefulness influence on shopping intention was not significant. Again, as a result of the above research mostly in foreign consumer market is given priority to, to foreign consumers research conclusion. But due to the difference of consumption culture between China and America, values differences, perceived shopping website characteristics, motivation, habit is also different, foreign research conclusions are not always suitable for the situation of the Chinese consumer market. for example, Jarvenpaa, etc.(1999) the study found that cognitive users to the website shopping risk to them from the online store shopping will have no effect. Teo&Yeong(2003) under Internet environment are studied by structural equation model of consumer purchase decision process, found that perceived risk and consumer negatively correlated to the general attitude towards online transactions. But (Zhao Chongzhi,2002) based on the domestic consumer market research found that shopping site safety cognition to the website for user functionality have a significant impact on interests and security interests. And (Cha Jin Xiang, Wang Lisheng,2006) of the study also found that consumer perception of shopping website service quality (including network security) and customer expectations of website for shopping website satisfaction have positive significant impact. The different research conclusions in different consumption market, Rachel Smith; George Deitz et al(2013) study because the result of different consumption culture. So according to the Chinese consumer market environment impact on consumer behavior under shopping website feature dimension is necessary for further research. Which shopping website feature dimension is main motivations affecting user satisfaction? Shopping site feature dimension can affect users through user satisfaction and willingness to use? Finally, some problems in the network shopping market in China, such as part of the electricity business enterprises lack of integrity led to false information, shopping website users with network information leakage weaken consumer trust and the shortage of electricity business logistics service ability, these problems have become the bottleneck of restricting network retail market sustained and rapid development. For consumers, before to make online shopping decisions, consumers need to compare goods search, information independently, price negotiation, customer feedback, and meantime consumers to comment on network level of recognition greatly affects the consumers' purchase intention (Wang Yuanhuai et al,2013). Especially for experiential service product, due to the consumers to buy before it is difficult to make an accurate evaluation the quality of the content(Litvin,2008), therefore, more comments need to refer to a large number of e-WOM in order to reduce the decision risk. So in this paper, the network comment information as regulating variable, confirm the shopping website feature dimension and the role of user satisfaction, etc., in this paper, the above problem is trying to answer. H1: Shopping site feature dimension positively related with satisfaction. H1-1: Shopping site feature dimension the ease of use and the use of satisfaction were positively correlated. H1-2: Shopping site of the interactive feature dimension was positively correlated with satisfaction. H1-3: Shopping site feature dimension informational was positively correlated with satisfaction. H1-4: Shopping site feature dimension performance was positively correlated with satisfaction.H1-5: Use the usefulness of feature dimension and shopping website satisfaction positively correlated. H2: user satisfaction positively related with the attitude of using the web. H3: user satisfaction and user intention to use present positive correlation. H4: use the website attitude positively related with user intention to use. H5 E-WOM in the website feature dimension and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role H5-1 E-WOM on the web site features in the dimension of usability and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role H5-2 The interactive E-WOM in the website feature dimension has significant intermediary role and user satisfaction H5-3 E-WOM in the website feature dimension of informational and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role H5-4 E-WOM in the website features dimensions and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role H5-5 E-WOM on the web site features dimension performance and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role Methods This research selected research object for the consumers of had online shopping experience, because these consumers to shopping website contact is more, the use of the functions of related websites have certain experience. Out 650 questionnaires, 598 valid questionnaires. Before the formal experiment, this study first preliminary experiments. Preliminary experiments in guangzhou, zhengzhou, shenyang, etc on the use of shopping website (Tmall, jingdong, Su Ningyi purchase, etc.) of the consumer as the research object, the actual 87 effective questionnaires were taken back. Preliminary experimental results show that the experimental measurement of each variable has a good reliability and validity, suitable for an official survey. Are test was started in February 17, 2015 ended on May 27, 2015, is still in the region were investigated. Market environment in our country according to the 2014 China's online shopping industry annual monitoring report Jane edition of C2C, the B2C shopping website ranking selection of shopping website: taobao, Tmall, jingdong, purchase, tencent Su Ningyi electricity online (QQ), etc., in view of the above in shopping website to buy related products, related use experience of man-made objects were investigated. Results in the overall sample run AMOS 20.0 software, to calculate the estimates of the model fitting index and the path coefficient. Analysis results show that the fitting of indicators of structural equation model is: x squared = 553.937, (df = 187, p = 0.000), GFI = 0.927, AGFI = 0.901, CFI = 0.920, IFI = 0.921, RMR = 0.067, RMSEA = 0.057. Results show that the indicators have reached the high level, the model with data fitting degree is high. As shown in (table 1) model of each path coefficient of relationship between variables in the statistical analysis of results. From which it is easy to find shopping website features ease of use, interactive, informative and usefulness has significantly effect on user satisfaction, but the ability to execute on user satisfaction without significant effect. And user satisfaction of users use shopping site attitude and intention to use also show significant effect, the final users use attitude for the user to use intentions also has a significant effect. In addition, the network comment information in the website is part feature dimension and user satisfaction. As shown in (table 2) moderated regression analysis of relationship between variables in the statistical analysis of results. First, network review information in the website feature dimension and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role. Second, the interactive network review information in the website feature dimension has not significant intermediary role and user satisfaction. Third, network review information in the website feature dimension of informational and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role. Fourth, network comment on the usefulness of information in the website features dimensions and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role. Fifth, network review information on the web site features dimension performance and user satisfaction has significant intermediary role. (see Table 1, Table 2). Discussion In this paper, the research conclusion of electricity enterprise management practice also has important reference value and enlightenment, mainly reflected in the following four aspects. First, the electricity business enterprise through the web site provides service should be reasonable combination of design and site features, meet the demand of consumers mutiple level, enhance user satisfaction. Second, the electric business enterprise should pay attention to improve consumers' perceived value and satisfaction, enhance the user use the site attitude and intention to use. Online store users satisfied with the attitude to users to use the site, the user to use intentions have made a significant positive correlation. Third, to provide online shopping electric business enterprise should touch the consumers actively, positive attitude, get the user to use choice intention and behavior. Fourth, the electricity business enterprise in the marketing practice of the business, to formulate the corresponding management system supporting effective incentives to encourage consumers to actively participate in product e-Wom, efforts to improve the quality and quantity of comments, fully excavate and make use of the effective information in the network comments, and according to these information, timely adjust enterprise product strategy, marketing strategy, service strategy, to adapt to the change of consumer demand, is expected to improve the satisfaction of consumer, to further cultivate customer loyalty, thus to obtain competitive advantage in the fierce market competition.
This essay presents an anthropological approach to embodied skills in brand rituals. In an ethnographic account of an everyday domestic practice of men’s shaving, this essay argues that men who apply skill to ritualized shaving practices evoke particular sensorial dimensions that elicit certain memories and ideals that situate time and place differently for them. Rather than evaluate ritual semiotically for its signs and symbols, this study “brings into being” (Ingold 2013) skilled human activity with branded material in ritual as it explores sensory awareness and environmental-temporal consumer perceptions of time and place. As such, this essay examines the less obvious and less frequently addressed issue of time and place as they occur in embodied practices of everyday consumption. The human body is suggested as a particular consumption site for applying skillful embodiment and a new conception of ritual.
Prior research in the U.S. documents the interaction between societal changes, money meanings, and family dynamics in the U.S. (Commuri & Gentry, 2005; Rose & Orr, 2007) and India (Merchant, Rose, & Gour, 2015). The present study extends this line of inquiry by examining and contrasting the money attitudes of couples, money meanings, and dynamics of money management within families of two horizontal collectivist nations (Triandis & Gelfand, 1998): India and South Korea. Twelve and six married couples were interviewed in India and Korea respectively. Both nations are horizontal collectivist nations that place a high value on the perceptions and respect of others. Thus, respondents from both nations emphasize the importance of consuming to convey status and keeping up with their neighbors. Indians frequently discuss religious and mythological texts related to money, doing one’s duty, and prosperity’s fickle nature. In contrast, Koreans are less apt to explicitly discuss religious and mythological texts. They appear to be somewhat more present oriented regarding their attitudes toward money and spending. Findings reveal that Koreans focus on security, respect money’s positive utility and necessity, and greed’s potential pitfalls. Koreans seem less concerned about on saving and focus more on enjoying life. Indians link saving to dharma (doing their duty) and supporting their children. Koreans also place a high value on family and supporting their children, but they appear less concerned about the success of future generations than Indians. These differences appear consistent with cultural values and reflect differences in economic development. For example, the homemaker is highly revered in the Hindu religion and Indian culture (Bharat, 2012) where the role is tied to doing one’s dharmatic duty. Korean and other cultures also revere nurturance within the family, but this reverence tends to be expressed within the culture’s specific economic and historical circumstances. Compared to Korea, Indian culture seems less egalitarian and more conservative in attitudes toward woman.
We develop a concept of the face in the consumer behavior discipline and contribute to the theory of lookism defined as bias toward people because of their perceived physical appearance (Tietje & Cresap,, 2005). “What is the face?” –is our fundamental research question. What makes the face become the site of voluntary alteration? How do marketing forces drive the mainstream embrace of surgical correction of facial features as a commercial commodity, similar to shoes?
While the latest medical advances have handed some control over appearance to consumers and provided them with a product (plastic surgery) designed to correct one’s genetic make-up, the designer face as a new consumer commodity hasn’t been addressed academically yet. Presumably, the face is the most distinctive human body element that sets a person apart from others, but academic studies that incorporate the phenomenon of treating people in a way biased by their perceived physical attractiveness have largely focused on the entire physique.
To fill the academic gap, we specifically study the normative function of advertising as it presents itself in the format of street billboards. Examining this advertising language in the context of an emerging pattern of consumer behavior—designing one’s face through surgery—we theorize how the marketing channel normalizes this novel pattern, fitting it into historical, philosophical, social, and cultural contexts; how it legitimizes plastic surgery as a mainstream consumer commodity; and how it makes the face an object of alteration. Moreover, we perform the study in the specific cultural domain of Asia that places a strong metaphorical value on the face and has historically developed the honor-centered concept of “saving face” as a guiding principle of life (Lee, 1999).
Driven by the fundamental question “What is the face?” and its examination in the context of the face-saving culture of South Korea, we developed a working research question to guide our inquiry: what makes a culture rooted in conservative beliefs and respect for the elderly so openly question and surgically correct the “quality” of the body received from one’s parents?
This article explores alternate ways to conceptualize self-nature relationship, that is, how nature in general, rather than specific nature places, become part of the extended self and how this influences responsible consumption. An ethnography, using participant observation, iterative in-depth interviews and photographs, was used to understand self-nature relationship and consumption behavior. The study was conducted in Malaysia using the English language as the medium of communication. The results suggest three levels of extended-self, reflecting the individual’s depth of relationship with nature; relational extended-self, encapsulated-self and assimilated-self. Nature as extended self, then, influences meanings attached to nature which results in different levels of attachment with nature; these are, functional, emotional, religious and spiritual attachment. When nature is perceived as separate from self, consumption behaviour is motivated by self-interest or self-preservation. As nature experiences are internalised, individuals begin to form emotional connections which initiates the process of self-extension whereby nature is progressively seen as part of the self. At the higher level, stronger affiliation with nature may result in religious or spiritual attachment, which motivates further assimilation of the self with nature and a sense of oneness with the broader universe promoting communal relationship and mutual gain. Our study contributes theoretically with the discovery of three dimensions of extended self and how extended self influences responsible consumption. Practically, these insights are valuable for public policy, social marketing and sustainability programs, for example, it highlights a possible solution to our unsustainable consumption behaviour which is, programs or activities which encourage our citizens to spend time with nature.
Although “selfie” has become a social phenomenon, little is discussed in marketing literature regarding what marketers can actually learn from consumers using selfies. This study has collected cross-cultural data of a total of 396 selfie photos from Twitter and Sina Weibo, in order to provide empirical evidence that leads to a better understanding on selfies. The results emphasise the cross-cultural differences on taking selfies and how selfie as another form of consumers presenting the “ideal self” may influence what information marketers can obtain from consumer selfies. The limitations due to data collection methods are noted and implications for marketers are also discussed.
Most researchers agree that core to the value proposition of luxury brands is their sym-bolic content and the image they convey (e.g., Dubois and Paternault 1995, Albrecht et al. 2013). One of the key mechanisms through which the brand is charged with symbolic content is advertising (McCracken 1986). Advertising is a key medium in the meaning creation process which is strongly controlled by brand management and intentionally used to convey a certain image to consumers (Kim, Lloyd, and Cervellon 2015). Given the importance of advertising to the luxury industry, it is surprising that only little re-search exists that explores how luxury brands build and communicate their brand in ad-vertising (Freire 2014, Mortelmans 1998, Mortelmans 2014).
This study closes this gap by identifying the key themes and codes which luxury brands use in their advertising, analyses their usage and evolution over time, category and brand to show similarities and differences between the advertising of luxury brands. This pro-vides the basis to answer the following research questions:
• What are the main thematic and stylistic codes that luxury brands use in print adver-tising?
• How do the thematic and stylistic codes vary between brands?
• How do the thematic and stylistic codes vary between categories?
• How do the thematic and stylistic codes vary over time?
This research thus contributes to the advancement of luxury advertising theory as it pro-vides a comprehensive framework for academics and practitioners alike, to analyse and design luxury print advertisements. Drawing on research in the areas of luxury advertis-ing and semiotics, we develop a conceptual framework allowing to analyse and catego-rise print campaigns of luxury brands along the three dimensions’ brand, category and time for over 500 advertisements of luxury fashion brands. The study has important im-plications for academic research as well as the luxury industry. This study identifies the identity-relevant and symbolic codes used in creating a luxury brand and thus adds to an enhanced understanding of how luxury is communicated and constructed.
Luxury consumers are highly social online, and with approximately 80 percent of luxury shoppers using social media on a monthly basis (Mckinsey & Company, 2015), the experience luxury brands provide on social networking services (SNS) becomes imperative. Interaction through social streams is about building a relationship with people who may continue to use the luxury product for the next 25 years (The Guardian, 2015). Hence, from magazines to smartphones, luxury brands are seeking new opportunities to communicate with their customers. Brands such as Burberry and Gucci are becoming increasingly active by uploading visuals, narratives, and films that represent their brand, and others are slowly following suit. Although various contents are now being posted online, when it comes to luxury brands, what separates them from others is the rich and unique brand heritage (LinkedIn, 2015; Mckinsey & Company, 2015). Despite this strength, it is a not implemented effectively as a strategy (The Guardian, 2015). In this study, we want to emphasize the need for luxury brands to go digital and to spread their brand stories as a form of advertisement.
Stories in advertising and their effects on consumer behavior has been dealt by previous research (Deighton, Romer, & Mcqueen, 1989; Escalas, 2007; Escalas, 2004; Wang & Calder, 2006). Deighton, Romer, and Mcqueen (1989) found that dramatization influenced viewers’ processing to become more empathetic than argumentative, which made dramatized commercials more persuasive than argument-oriented ones. Escalas (2004) showed that narrative advertisement processing is positively correlated with brand attitude and behavioral intention and that narratively structured advertisements persuade others through the experience known as narrative transportation. This experience has been explained by Green and Brock (2000) as “a convergent process where all mental systems and capacities become focused on events occurring in the narrative.” Narrative transportation theory explains the process of being lost in a story and that it takes place when a consumer experiences a feeling of stepping into a world stimulated by narratives due to the empathy with the characters and imagination of the story plot (Laer, Ruyter, Visconti, & Wetzels, 2014). This process can be effective in changing attitudes and beliefs of individuals who read stories (Green & Brock, 2000). For luxury brands, brand heritage can be transformed into stories that can transport readers to other worlds, and this can affect consumer attitudes, intentions, and behaviors (Laer, Ruyter, Visconti, & Wetzels, 2014). This experience is what this study pursues to delve into and understand.
3D printing is an additive software manufacturing technology for designing and creating real objects using a layering technique. Global brands including Coca Cola and Warner Bros have successfully offered the first 3D printing campaigns, but the market is still untapped for using 3D printing marketing in global advertising. Global brands potentially can undertake 3D printing technology campaigns that will offer innovative and strong experiences for enhancing brand values and competitiveness. Luxury brands are particularly recognized for their rarity, uniqueness, innovation, and classic traditions. Luxury brands can thus use 3D printing campaign experiences to expand the cultural imagination in coherence with luxury identifications. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of 3D printing campaign experience on attitude toward campaigns, perceived value of luxury brands, and purchase intentions. The authors offer implications for advertising practitioners by constructing a theoretical model regarding 3D printing campaigns and perceived values of luxury brands.
Engagement has aroused tremendous interest in the marketing community, but studies examining engagement with luxury brands are absent. This study investigates whether luxury stores can use food to drive engagement with different customer segments. The results have important managerial implications and further our understanding of the behavioral drivers of (dis)engagement.
The old marketing reality in which brands communicate with customers through one-way advertising messages is long gone (Campbell, Parent, Berthon, 2011). Now, it is not only brands that broadcast messages to customers, but customers can initiate or actively participate in conversations with brands. This customers’ participation in conversations with brands can have an effect on their and other customers’ purchase decisions. Therefore, brands are now focusing on using advertising to get customers engaged with them.
Customer engagement has become a new way of describing brands’ relationships with customers. Scholars have offered many definitions of engagement. Some of them emphasize the psychological aspects of engagement (e.g., Calder Malthouse, and Schaedel, 2009; Mollen and Wilson, 2010), while others describe engagement in behavioral terms (e.g., Van Doorn et al., 2010; Verhoef et al.,
2010). The most comprehensive definition of customer engagement was offered by Brodie et al. (2011: p. 790) who describe customer engagement as “a psychological state that occurs by virtue of interactive, co-creative customer experiences with a focal agent/object (e.g., a brand) in specific service relationships. It occurs under a specific set of context-dependent conditions generating differing customer engagement levels; and exists as a dynamic, iterative process within service relationships that co-creates value. Customer engagement plays a central role in a nomological network governing theoretical relationships in which other relational concepts (e.g., involvement, loyalty) are antecedents and/or consequences of iterative customer engagement processes. It is a multidimensional concept subject to a context- and/or stakeholder-specific expression of relevant cognitive, emotional and/or behavioral dimensions.” As both this definition and other definitions in the extant literature (e.g., Calder et al., 2009; O’Brien & Toms 2010).
Many information sources have reported that celebrity endorsements of luxury fashion brands are considered one of the success factors that enhance the growth of luxury markets. Yet two contrasting views are held as to whether or not celebrity endorsements are necessary for luxury brands. One view in support of celebrity endorsements for luxury brands insists that the use of celebrities generally provides many beneficial advantages, serving as a good communication tool. Specifically, the celebrity endorsements are effective in increasing ad viewers’ attention, polishing brand images, introducing new brands, and repositioning existing brands (Erdogan, 1999), enhancing message recall (Friedman & Friedman, 1979), and generating favorable attitudes toward ads and brands (Atkin & Block, 1983). Above all, brands endorsed by celebrities often obtain high brand awareness, resulting in a rapid sales increase (Ruiz, 2008).
In contrast, the other view is more concerned with the diminished luxuriousness that is overshadowed by celebrities, rather than realizing an immediate increase in sales (Dubois, Laurent, & Czellar, 2001). Celebrity endorsements in ads are expected to increase brand awareness and simultaneously reduce the brand rarity impacting a qualification for status, which is central to brand luxuriousness in particular (Berry, 1994). The publicly recognized brand names would draw more attention from average consumers than from rich consumers, as the wealthier are the less influenced by celebrity endorsements (Gaudoin, 2013). In addition, considering that luxury brands are already constructed with well-defined brand meaning and personalities, using non-celebrity endorsers with luxurious images would be as effective as using celebrity endorsers in terms of improving brand luxuriousness (Okonkwo, 2007).
As such, celebrity-endorsed luxury branding strategies seem to be questionable, though they are popularly being adopted. The current study aims to reveal the overall effectiveness of the use of celebrity versus non-celebrity endorsers on consequential consumer evaluations and highlight the importance of congruence between the brand and the endorser (match-up).
In recent years, online video advertising through social media has become a fast-growing tendency that will continue unabated. Online video advertising has become an important and influential tool in the hands of marketers and advertisers, who are spending on average over $10 million annually on digital video, representing an 85% increase from 2 years ago (IAB, 2016). Luxury brands frequently use lifestyle advertising to sell a certain lifestyle to consumers. However, it is the storytelling content that appears to become one of the marketing trends of 2016. This study aims to explore the impact of informativeness, entertainment, and credibility of storytelling and lifestyle video advertising on advertising value and consumer attitudes. To this end, we conducted online surveys with 300 respondents. Factor analysis, correlations, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis (SPSS 21.0) were performed to analyze the data. Our results demonstrate that the advertising value dimensions – informativeness, entertainment, and credibility ̶ have positive effects on advertising value, flow experience, and attitudes towards advertising. This, in turn, positively influences consumers’ purchase intentions. However, our results show that, as compared to lifestyle video advertising, storytelling video advertising has a more significant effect on advertising value. Taken together, the results of the present study provide a theoretical foundation for the real-life applications of storytelling and lifestyle video advertising. Our results also offer meaningful implications for marketers with regard to effective social media video advertising.
This paper draws on the concept of transculturality, shifting our attention beyond religion as a stable belief system toward religion as a field of transcultural practices. Our conceptualization of religion as a field of transcultural practices is empirically grounded in a hermeneutic analysis of depth interviews with 24 Southeast Asian immigrant consumers living in Auckland, New Zealand. The findings reveal two interrelated sets of transcultural practices through which religion shapes multicultural marketplaces. The first set of practices facilitates entry into multicultural marketplaces, by easing the process of border crossing and enabling social capital development. The second set of practices facilitates mutual entanglement within multicultural marketplaces, by fostering intercultural competency development, sharing of cultural consumption rituals, and enabling the flows of material resources. This paper helps to advance the growing literature on religion and marketing in two ways. First, a transcultural approach moves religion beyond a view of each religious tradition as a bounded system. Instead, religion emerges as an open and dynamic system which is deeply contextualized and whose function morphs to meet the character of the cultural context in which it is embedded. Second, in addition to the present focus on how religion produces differences in marketplace behaviors, this paper also sheds light on the transcultural properties of religion which are held in common across diverse religious traditions. Rather than becoming a dividing force in contemporary multicultural marketplaces, religious fields are also revealed to be hybridized and hybridizing fields of transcultural flows. Overall, in the context of multicultural marketplaces, religion emerges as a key site for the performance of practices which fuel transcultural dynamics.
In a context of unprecedented migration home reaches high relevance. This study aims at understanding the (re-)construction of home by first generation consumer migrants. The findings provide insights into consumers’ (re-)construction of various dimensions of home and identify “inner home” as a new dimension in the context of consumer migration.
Based on the reciprocity theory, a dynamic reciprocal behavior model is verified by
sampling the US and French group tourists in Tibet. Result shows that the US group
tourists have only negative reciprocity, and French ones have both positive and negative
reciprocity, indicating that tourists are more willing to sacrifice their interests to revenge
hostile persons.
Japanese animation, called anime, has long been regarded as a niche culture reserved for ‘nerds’ (otaku) in Japan. The word otaku refers to individuals who spend most of their time alone at home watching anime, reading comics (manga) and/or playing video games. However, in recent years, otaku, or anime viewers, have changed their behavioral patterns, resulting in a new transcultural movement. That peculiar phenomenon is known as anime pilgrimage, which involves traveling to locations that resemble particular scenes in anime pieces, even though the locations themselves may be ordinary places. Research on ordinary tourism has focused mainly on destination attributes as determinants of visit intention/destination loyalty. Research on film tourism places additional emphasis on the role of film involvement. We focus here on social influences. The results of structured regression analyses show that our new models were superior to previous models that omitted investigation of social influences. Furthermore, the results show that though, during the pre-trip period “within home”, anime nerds may expect that they will interact primarily with other nerds, they enjoy interactions with the local people while traveling. Such transcultural experiences result in higher destination loyalty during the post-trip period “beyond home”.
Within marketing and consumer research, scholars have explored cross-cultural issues, and found that most of the studies are sociologically based and assume intra-cultural homogeneity in mentality and logic among people (Fatehi, Kedia & Priestly, 2015). Research has also explored how acculturation in circumstances of hyperfiliation influences cross-cultural consumption (Bradford & Sherry, 2014). The issue of particular importance within this study is the situation of cultural mixing that takes place when migrants and refugees grow their families away from their home country, and how individual and family identity values are renegotiated given ethnic ties that bind the older generation, and the non-ethnic ties in the host country and amongst the future generations. These ethnic and non-ethnic ties influence the acculturation process (Capellini & Yen, 2013) and re-acculturation process.
Given increasing migration across many countries, it becomes important to understand the transcultural experiences of both refugees and migrants, as they mix with the host country’s cultural practices. We take the view that transculturality is an illustration of “the complex relationships between and within cultures today: it emphasises not isolation but intermingling, not separation but disjunctive interactions, not homogenization but heterogenization” (Jung, 2010, p.19). The intermingling of multiple cultures, inevitably has implications on consumption decisions, particularly in cases where many children have been born in the diaspora. Whilst previous studies have explored acculturation as a static and linear process (Chrikov, 2009), our study takes the view that cultural identity formation and it’s resulting cultural orientations are an ongoing, fluid, hybrid and iterative project.
Therefore, the objectives of this study are to: (1) explore how cultural identity processes are negotiated by third generation UK born British Sikhs. Here, we focus on 3rd generation British Sikhs with the intention of understanding how hybrid identities emerge, and how these impact on consumption decisions; (2) explore the acculturation and re-acculturation patterns of 3rd generation British Sikhs. It is our contention that the online environment offers opportunities to explore identity projects for those born in the diaspora.
In service experiences, customers often look to create their own magic in the service environment, through interaction with other customers, not the producer of the experience (the provider) at all. The current study examines the bar environment, where hedonically-driven service encounter experiences are constructed, not by the provider, but by the social interactions of the consumers of the environment. The study surveys 130 consumers, measuring experiential, situational and social involvement levels in relation to consumption motivation and overall experience evaluation. The research finds that, while bar consumers are likely to be highly socially involved, they still need the company of close friends to become fully involved in the bar service experience. In addition, where atmospheric theory discusses the value of extraordinary or surprising service environments, consumers in the already hedonic bar environment may indeed prefer environments which are simply comfortable and consistent with their expectations (in regard to motivations to consume and overall positive evaluations).
The research studied about the satisfaction and reuse intention of Indonesian people towards the innovated transportation using mobile applications in Indonesia. In 2015 some issues come up from the service companies that use mobile application as the channel for it. People have great expectations for this service.
Introduction Luxury is an intriguing and alluring concept. The word ‘luxury‘ is used very often in advertisement, indicating something positive, some-thing worth striving after, something worth desiring. This thesis will focus on how luxury, and particularly luxury brands, are created, represented and consumed in an online environment. The Internet has proven to be of great importance for many types of brand when it comes to communicating and providing information to consumers and potential consumers. Luxury brands, however, work on different premises than other brand categories. Thus, luxury brands on the Internet would seemingly be an oxymoron. Given the growing importance of the luxury goods industry in economic terms and the increasing scholarly interest for not only the phenomenon of luxury brands but also luxury brands online (c.f. Dall‘Olmo Riley and Lacroix, 2003), it would seem that more systematic research is warranted on how brands, and luxury brands in particular, are handled on the Internet. The consumption of luxury brands, as opposed to the consumption of physical goods, lies in the difference in ownership. A luxury brand can be ‘consumed’ without the actual owning of a physical good produced by the brand. This type of consumption is instead a sort of merging of the consumers‘ view of themselves with their image of the luxury brand. This relatively new way of viewing consumption is of central importance when viewing brands online. The virtual ownership or ‘consumption‘ of luxury brands also brings with it new forms of expressing ownership or kinship with the luxury brand, as well as with other types of consumer sharing in the affection of a brand. The problems facing luxury brands, is best summed up in the ‘luxury brand paradox‘, in which the core is a balancing act. In this balancing act, the perception of exclusivity surpasses that of actual scarcity. The perception of exclusivity has to be invoked in consumers for the luxury brand paradox to maintain equilibrium. If (or perhaps when) there was an actual scarcity to luxury goods and luxury was truly limited, the consumption of luxuries was quite different from the consumption of luxury brands today. The clicks environment The clicks environment has brought with it not only new ways for brands to communicate with consumers but also for consumers to ‘consume‘ the brands. The following aspects will be emphasized the rise of the Internet and its characteristics, the business logic that is emerging from this, consumers on the Internet and new communication patterns. New to not only luxury consumption, but also retailing and consumption is the entrance of the Internet as a means of distributing, marketing and gaining information on goods and services. The advent of the Internet brought with it a frenzy for no-name and generic brands, as well as some high-priced, status brands to not be left behind in incorporating a clicks environment, with many luxury brands jumping on the bandwagon. Many luxury brands can thus now be viewed and, to some extent, purchased online by anyone having access to a computer. Luxury brands are presenting themselves online and communicating everything from designer influences to products and prices and store listings. On the Internet, old trusted methods cannot be used to the same extent and the migration to an online environment will inevitably bring with it new problems as well as intensify some old ones: the perception of scarcity is harder to create. Maintaining the balance between maximizing profits and evoking feelings of exclusivity is one of the most important tasks for luxury brands. The creation of perception of exclusivity or social desirability in a luxury context is the basis for non-functional demand. This is a balancing act that comes into greater focus with the entrance of the Internet. This research examines the new business logic in the clicks environment from the problems that arise for luxury brands in particular. For mass-producing brands, the clicks environment does not pose the same kind of threat as it does for luxury brands. The cost of marketing could be lowered by using the means provided by the Internet and giving access to products to many new consumers, something that in the case of luxury brands can be a danger. The specific nature of luxury brands and the new business logic on the Internet generate new challenges as well as opportunities. The Internet environment brings with it the fact that luxury brands can be not only consumed but also represented and created in a widely diverse environment. This requires a specific way of viewing consumption, which will be explored in this chapter Representing, creating and consuming luxury brands online The luxury context has been changed with the entrance of the Internet, challenging luxury brand management and forcing luxury brands to act in new ways. Where the borders were previously stricter and the consumption of luxury brands was solely an act between company and consumer and luxury brand identity was communicated from company to consumer, with rather few distractions, the Internet gives rise to many other constellations. The creation of brand image is thus now intertwined and overlapping. For luxury brands to be consumed online by consumers, they have to be represented online. Although the representation can be officially either by the brand or by others, it is when ‘others‘ get involved in luxury brand representation that the preconditions change. The online representation of luxury brands is a basis for luxury brand consumption, but as will be explained later, the consumption taking place online does not have to involve purchase of actual physical goods. Brands can, to a certain degree, be ‘created‘ online as a luxury brand or status brand, all depending on the processes surrounding the brand in question. This research starts with the presumption that the luxury context is changing with the entrance of the Internet and that luxury brands are now exposed to new challenges in which the luxury brand image is more elusive than ever. The Internet has become a valuable communication tool for brands in their endeavor for a favorable and prosperous brand image. However, the belief is that as a communications and distribution channel the Internet has led to changes in the market structure as well as changes in producer and consumer roles (Peterson, et. al., 1997; Prahalad et. al., 2000). To be able to be viewed and purchased online would seem an ideal situation if not for the inherent paradoxical nature of the luxury brand. Luxury brands face several challenging problems within the online context. Online rarity The term luxury rests on certain assumed connotations, such as the ‘rarity principle‘, meaning that the rarer the good, the more desired the commodity is (Phau and Prendergast, 2000). With the Internet as a distribution channel, the ‘rarity principle‘ may be lost when the brand can be not only viewed and desired but also consumed by all. According to Dubois and Paternault (1995), the prestige of the brand may be eroded if too many people own it. The possibility of online purchase may give opportunity for the ‘masses‘ to consume these products and the company can maximise its profits and sell even larger amounts, something that would, however, be in sharp contrast with the need of luxury brands to maintain a fragile equilibrium between high exposure and awareness but a controlled level of sales (Roux and Floch, 1996 in Dall‘Olmo Riley and Lacroix, 2003). It is also feared that the possibility of purchasing luxury brand goods online could give greater opportunities for counterfeiters to sell copied merchandise as ‘original‘ merchandise. Studies have shown that price and price discounts are very important factors in online purchasing and when revisiting a website. Luxury brands online thus face problems, largely because they do not compete with low price or price discounts. Consequently, online distribution pro-vides a challenge. How do you make consumers buy the much more expensive genuine product instead of a cheap counterfeit when many of the core elements of the luxury brand are lost online? Another problem is the ever-increasing product range of luxury brands. Because many luxury brands today include all sorts of products, this makes it harder to distinguish counterfeit copies from the original. This is a problem that could devalue the brand and increase the temptation for consumers to buy cheaper ‘knock-offs‘ or counterfeits‘ online. de Chernatony (2002:186) suggests that brand strategists need a new mental model to "develop integrated brands in a digital age which goes beyond the classical and which recognizes the new roles consumers are taking". New roles for consumers are an important fact for luxury brands in that consumers are more involved in creating a buzz for certain brands, engaging in reviewing, discussing and sharing opinions online. The online environment and the challenges to luxury brands that follow show a significant change in the business logic. The new business logic on the Internet, with the consumption of brands instead of actual goods, is problematic for brands in general and for luxury brands in particular. The specific problems regarding luxury brands are seen in relation to the previously described inherently difficult luxury brand paradox. The problems arising from the very scattered Internet context for luxury brands are many, as well as interrelated. Empirical contributions There are four main groupings of websites that have been examined: (1) brand websites, (2) consumer-to-consumer sites, (3) communities and (4) Replica sites and such. (1) The first type of sites is the sites that are officially connected with one brand, multiple brands or a conglomerate. In this category ‘umbrella‘ sites are also included, which can be directly owned by a luxury conglomerate (such as eluxury.com, or sites such as prêt-a-porter.com or yoox.com that sell a wide range of upper-range and luxury brands). (2) The second type of site is the online auction site where consumers sell to consumers, or in some cases, an organized firm conducts the selling. This type of site is not associated with the luxury brand. Although somewhat separate from the community website, this type shares many of the characteristics of the community websites, including being mostly consumer driven and not directly affiliated with a luxury brand. Thus, the auction websites are grouped together with the community websites. (3) The third type of site examined is the community websites. These come in different forms, ranging from sites associated with fashion magazines in which involvement only can occur on an observer or viewer basis to communities discussing all aspects of fashion and luxury to community sites dedicated to identifying the brands celebrities are wearing. The sites that are the online version of fashion magazines can be viewed only with possibilities to receive weekly (sometimes daily) fashion updates and newsletters, include chat possibilities and bulletin boards, and in some cases have limited product sales. (4) The fourth type is the website that sells replicas or counterfeits. In this category sites that rank and review sellers of counterfeit merchandise are included. Conclusions Four themes on the sense of a luxury brand have emerged throughout this research. The themes show how the sense of a luxury brand is created in an online environment. The four themes are luxury history, authenticity, community and paradox. Luxury history refers to the stories (either real or thought up as marketing campaigns) told by luxury brands, as well as the history that is thought up of and shared by consumers of the brand. Authenticity pertains to the need for luxury brands to have authenticity and genuine products in the sense of having reputable and innovative designers to repel counterfeits. Community concerns the different types of community formed online, i.e. communities formed for a particular brand or other common interest. Paradox relates to the inherent problem for luxury brands to create desire and appeal (and hence the power to sell a particular product) while simultaneously giving the perception of uniqueness. Paradox also refers to the contradictory workings online in the creation of a sense of luxury brand. As has been revealed through the empirical data, the online environment for luxury brands is an environment for communication and interaction, an environment that is both lively and active. The online context is comprised of many different elements that are interwoven, making up the platform for luxury brands online. This is seen in not only the different people involved in the online context but in some instances also the changing roles they play and the often multiple activities that they perform. This is because the luxury environment is made up of these sometimes very different yet interlocking elements. Examining the data from different perspectives and by comparing them to previous research on brands, luxury and the Internet the conclusion is that a new and exciting arena for luxury brands and their consumers emerge, an arena that will be referred to as an online fair. The online context is a highly scattered and chaotic environment that exhibits a scope of different characteristics. These characteristics resemble those pertaining to a fair. Definitions of a fair can range from describing the display of farm animals to entertainment and amusement. The common denominator is the key-concepts of display and the people there to see the display or to be amused and entertained. The online fair embodies different actors and activities that will be described together with the special environment of the online fair. The actors that are identified in the online fair are the audiences, the exhibitors and the copycats. The activities performed by these three groups are exhibition and display, sales and trade and entertainment. Finally, the online fair environment is characterized by its globality, openness, accessibility and fuzzy boundaries. As opposed to many bricks-and-mortar fairs, the online fair requires no entrance fees. Neither does it have strict admission controls based on special invitations, as is often the case with luxury fashion shows. The online fair is instead open and accessible to all. The audience in the online fair encompasses various consumer types and how ‘active‘ a consumer or potential consumer is, is not dependent on his or her status as an ‘actual consumer‘. The online audience also serves as reinforcement for consumers with regard to postpurchase feelings. Given that the online fair is open to anyone, there will inevitably be those wishing to profit from someone else. In this context these ‘tricksters‘ would be counterfeit sellers trying to profit from the luxury brand image.