An exploratory study of Thai consumers’ perceptions of “conspicuousness”: a case of luxury handbags
ISSN: 0736-3761
Article publication date: 15 November 2018
Issue publication date: 27 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine consumer perceptions of conspicuousness of purchasing of luxury goods in Thailand.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a quantitative approach, based on a survey data collected on the internet. The data set was analyzed with structural equation modeling focusing on three latent factors: “Social”, “Personal” and “Conspicuous” value perceptions.
Findings
The result indicates that “Conspicuous” value does not have a significant impact on their purchasing intentions, which is a contradiction to the previous understanding that Asian consumers are inclined to behave conspicuously from the collectivist cultural context. This finding casts an implication for marketers in the relevant industry and the field of study for inconspicuous consumer behavior.
Research limitations/implications
This research outcome should be expanded to develop more robust implications for the relevant marketers and researchers. In doing so, another investigation based on a bigger data set with more samples would be required.
Originality/value
This study indicates that Thai consumers do not behave from the conspicuous perceptions, which has been believed in the Asian context of consumer behavior. This finding suggests a new paradigm for discussion is required to understand Asian consumer attitudes in more depth especially their perceptions of conspicuous and inconspicuous views.
Keywords
Citation
Oe, H., Sunpakit, P., Yamaoka, Y. and Liang, Y. (2018), "An exploratory study of Thai consumers’ perceptions of “conspicuousness”: a case of luxury handbags", Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 35 No. 6, pp. 601-612. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-01-2017-2058
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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