Search results

1 – 10 of 74
Article
Publication date: 28 August 2019

Arunima Krishna and Soojin Kim

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of presidential tweeting about corporations on publics’ perceptions of and behavioral intentions toward those corporations…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of presidential tweeting about corporations on publics’ perceptions of and behavioral intentions toward those corporations. Specifically, the authors examined publics’ intentions to boycott or buycott (Friedman, 1996) Nordstrom, four months after President Trump’s tweet denouncing the company’s decision to discontinue his daughter’s clothing line.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted among 517 American citizens using Qualtrics panels in June 2017. Respondents were compensated for their participation.

Findings

The authors found strong associations between perceived moral inequity and boycott intentions, and perceived business/economic nature of corporate action and buycott intentions. Furthermore, demographic characteristics associated with both types of perceptions were also examined. Younger, more educated respondents tended to accept Nordstrom’s actions as being routine business decisions, whereas conservative participants saw Nordstrom’s actions as being morally iniquitous.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to explore the impact of presidential tweeting, albeit indirectly, on publics’ perceptions and intentions toward corporations who form the subjects of said tweets. Practitioners may utilize these findings to provide guidance to corporations who may be at the receiving end of presidential tweeting.

Details

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1356-3289

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 September 2019

Sergio Rivaroli, Arianna Ruggeri and Roberta Spadoni

As indicated in the Italian law (No. 109-1996), agri-food co-operatives can also play a role in combatting mafia-type systems by choosing to grow their food products in lands…

Abstract

Purpose

As indicated in the Italian law (No. 109-1996), agri-food co-operatives can also play a role in combatting mafia-type systems by choosing to grow their food products in lands confiscated from mafia-type organisations. These food products provide individuals with a new opportunity to fight criminal organisations on the marketplace. The purpose of this study is to explore how people react to a social marketing initiative devoted to promoting food “buycotting” to counteract mafia-type organisations in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were obtained from a convenience sample of 339 Italians, and the study adopted a model inspired by the general theory of marketing ethics. A structural equation model was applied to estimate both the parameter and coefficient functions.

Findings

Individuals recognise the ethical value of “buycotting”. However, they perceive this form of critical choice as not yet being fully effective in counteracting mafia-type systems in Italy.

Practical implications

The results suggest that promotional and psychological approaches from marketing literature can be effectively used to influence the consumer’s ethical judgement by selectively communicating and emphasising the benefits of the critical consumption investigated.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to address consumers’ ethical judgments and their reactions towards buycotting food as a critical choice to reward socially responsible corporations.

Details

Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6763

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2022

Olamide Akintimehin, Ian Phau, Rose Ogbechie and Ayodele Oniku

This paper aims to investigate the attitude towards ethical consumption and intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour by consumers within a developing economy, building…

1033

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the attitude towards ethical consumption and intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour by consumers within a developing economy, building on the ethically minded consumer behaviour (EMCB) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach was adopted in this research. A cross-sectional survey was further done in collecting data from 397 respondents through an online questionnaire. Collected data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25, as well as the structural equation model via the Analysis of Moment Structures version 23.

Findings

Corporate social responsibility-mindedness was found to lead to a positive attitude towards ethical consumption behaviour and an intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour; recycling-mindedness did not influence a positive attitude towards ethical consumption behaviour but influenced an intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour. However, eco-mindedness did not influence a positive attitude towards ethical consumption behaviour and an intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour: findings from this research showed that a positive attitude towards ethical consumption behaviour led to an intention to engage in ethical consumption behaviour.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first within a Sub-Saharan African region of a developing economy to adapt the EMCB framework in investigating the extent to which consumers within a developing economy intend to engage in ethical consumption behaviour.

Details

International Journal of Ethics and Systems, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9369

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 March 2021

Amparo Novo Vázquez and Isabel García-Espejo

The actions of the political consumer of food may be manifested either through boycotting or through deliberate purchase of certain products based on ethical, environmental or…

Abstract

Purpose

The actions of the political consumer of food may be manifested either through boycotting or through deliberate purchase of certain products based on ethical, environmental or political values (buycotting). This article has several objectives: to analyse which factors predict the behaviour of political consumers of food; to examine how they perceive that their actions can contribute to social or political change and that the political system will respond to their interests and to people's needs and to discover whether, for the political consumer of food, good citizen behaviour comes closer to the norms of the socially “engaged” or “dutiful”.

Design/methodology/approach

A national survey of 1,000 people was conducted in Spain. For the analysis of the data, logistic regression models were developed to determine the factors that most influenced the boycott or deliberate purchase. To address the relationship between food consumption in the political arena and political effectiveness and citizenship standards, the authors have conducted factor analyses of the main components.

Findings

The main results show political food consumers to be people who are interested in politics, distrust government and big business, are confident in their ability to influence these groups to change practices that are not in line with their values and have a high degree of social engagement.

Social implications

Consumers are demanding a fairer and more supportive agri-food production system, a healthier and more environmentally friendly diet and accountability from both the private sector and policymakers.

Originality/value

These data represent progress in the study of this form of political action in Spain as there are no precedents.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 123 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2014

Ellen Quintelier

The purpose of this article is to use the “Big Five” personality structure (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and emotional stability) to…

7590

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to use the “Big Five” personality structure (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and emotional stability) to explore the relationship with political consumer behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Political consumer behavior is (not) buying products for social, political or environmental reasons. Cited motivations for political consumption include preserving the environment, developing a sustainable economy or using boycotts as political pressure, alongside social reasons such as reducing child labor. We explored this relationship among two representative studies of young people using ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

We concluded that in particular openness to experience leads to more political consumer behavior. Agreeableness or trust in people also often has a positive effect on political consumer behavior, while the effects of extraversion tend on the contrary to be negative.

Research limitations/implications

Although in the literature the “Big Five” is generally accepted as the best measure for the main personality traits, there is no consensus on the measurement of personality. The research area has thus a clear need for a good, reliable measurement of the five personality traits, such as the TIPI or a short version of the bipolar personality scales.

Practical implications

The research suggests that a more specific approach towards young political consumers might be valuable.

Social implications

The research can influence how marketers deal with fair trade products or how boycotts can attract larger audiences. Through this knowledge, social responsibility and environmental conscientiousness will increase.

Originality/value

This article focuses on the personality traits and motivations of the political consumers and how these personality traits interact with the attitudes that motivate political consumption using representative samples of young people. It also focuses on a specific and different outcome, political consumption, whereas most studies focused solely on single items of pro-environmental behavior .

Details

Young Consumers, vol. 15 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-3616

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 3 December 2014

Michael A. Long and Douglas L. Murray

A robust literature has developed that demonstrates that ethical consumption, particularly “buycotts,” is on the rise. However, not much is known about (1) consumer convergence…

Abstract

A robust literature has developed that demonstrates that ethical consumption, particularly “buycotts,” is on the rise. However, not much is known about (1) consumer convergence: do consumers who purchase one “ethical” product also purchase others, and (2) the degree to which ethical consumers make their purchasing decisions for collective reasons. We attempt to fill this lacuna in the literature. This study uses results from a mail survey of a random sample of 500 Colorado residents to examine the degree of convergence between consumers of organic, fair trade, locally grown, animal friendly, made in the United States, and union made products with tetrachoric correlations coefficients and binary logistic regression models. We also investigate the degree of convergence between consumers who report holding collective motivations for purchasing ethical products through these same methods. Our findings indicate strong support for convergence between ethical consumers and consumers who believe they are acting collectively. The results suggest that many ethical consumers believe they are part of an “imagined community” of citizen–consumers who through their joint purchasing decisions are critiquing and hopefully changing traditional production–consumption commodity networks.

Details

Alternative Agrifood Movements: Patterns of Convergence and Divergence
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78441-089-6

Article
Publication date: 23 March 2012

Ili‐Salsabila Abd‐Razak and Asmat‐Nizam Abdul‐Talib

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the globality and intentionality aspects of consumer boycotts among the Muslim dominant markets around the world through the consumer…

1226

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the globality and intentionality aspects of consumer boycotts among the Muslim dominant markets around the world through the consumer animosity perspective, to provide better understanding of the issues. Some applied and potential solutions for marketers and policy makers in dealing with the issues are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The analytical definition of consumer boycotts through the consumer animosity perspective is proposed and the relevance of the discussion is considered. The relationships between the globality and intentionality attributions with animosity and consumer boycotts are assessed before strategies to deal with the issues are diagnosed. Seminal works of classic and current consumer boycotts and animosity literature are reviewed in developing the conceptual background of the paper. Further conceptual reflections are stated based on the depicted current events in the market around the world.

Findings

The conceptual discussion revealed that consumer boycotts in the Muslim dominant market and animosity are two related issues worthy being explored. The issues are of the global concern and occurred unintentionally, therefore they could stimulate unexpected outcomes for the marketers and policy makers alike. Nonetheless, several strategies in dealing with the issues are found to be effective in preventing the issues from getting worse. However, the strategies would not work for all entities in all situations. Understanding the root of the issues would be the best solution.

Research limitations/implications

The discussion is limited to conceptual background of the aspects discussed. Further empirical studies would enhance the applicability of the discussions presented.

Practical implications

In order to find strategies to deal with consumer boycotts in the Muslim dominant markets, marketers need to understand the real reason for the events to occur and demonstrate sincere understanding towards the issues. By doing so, consumer boycotts would not obstruct the progress and growth of the international business in general. Looking at the issues from the animosity perspective is a prolific attempt to understand the events.

Originality/value

The paper reveals the relationship between consumer boycotts and animosity in the Muslim dominant markets and offers understanding of the specific events occurrence. The discussion is extended to describe the events' globality and intentionality attribution assessment.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 November 2017

Sergio Rivaroli, Arianna Ruggeri, Pietro Novi and Roberta Spadoni

The paper aims to investigate pro-social behaviour of Italian consumers during the decision-making process of buying food produced in lands confiscated from Mafia-type

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate pro-social behaviour of Italian consumers during the decision-making process of buying food produced in lands confiscated from Mafia-type organisations. This is assumed as a form of buycotting, thus as an ethical purchasing choice to contribute to social change.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 339 interviews were elaborated with a cluster analysis. The difference between groups was confirmed using MANOVA, whereas the multivariate multiple regression analysis was carried out to assess the difference between clusters.

Findings

Three types of consumer groups are identified: absolutists, exceptionists and subjectivists. Coherent with previous studies, findings also highlight the relevance of information acquisition and of the self-effectiveness perception as key factors to stimulate pro-social behaviours.

Originality/value

With a social marketing perspective, the paper offers useful suggestions to promote political consumerism as a critical choice to contribute to fight against Mafia-type organisations and to spread a culture of lawfulness.

Details

Journal of Social Marketing, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6763

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

Deirdre Shaw, Terry Newholm and Roger Dickinson

Increasing numbers of consumers are expressing concerns about reports of questionable corporate practices and are responding through boycotts and buycotts. This paper compares…

15669

Abstract

Purpose

Increasing numbers of consumers are expressing concerns about reports of questionable corporate practices and are responding through boycotts and buycotts. This paper compares competing theories of consumer empowerment and details findings that examine the applicability of the theory to “ethical consumer” narratives. The nature and impact of consumer empowerment in consumer decision making is then discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes an exploratory approach by conducting semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with a purposive sample of ten consumers. These were recruited from an “ethical product” fair in Scotland.

Findings

Results indicate that the participating consumers embraced a voting metaphor, either explicitly or implicitly, to view consumption as an ethical/political domain. Setting their choices within perceived collective consumer behaviour, they characterised their consumption as empowering. This results in an ethical consumer project that can be seen as operating within the market. It, therefore, suggests some tensions between consumer power and sustainable living.

Research limitations/implications

This small‐scale study relates to a single country and location. A particular group of accentuated consumers was recruited. Studies of the narratives of other consumer groupings would clearly be valuable.

Practical implications

To the extent that political democracy is perceived as failing, it appears that the profile of the market as a site of consumer engagement is raised. Marketers would be wise, therefore, to take increasingly account of “empowered” consumers.

Originality/value

Little attention has been paid to the theory of consumption as voting. However, a continuing rise in the consideration of ethics among consumers and producers suggests its rehabilitation and further exploration would be worthwhile.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 40 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 March 2022

Shofiya Yusri Salma and Hendy Mustiko Aji

This study aims to investigate some factors that might drive Muslims in Indonesia to get involved in a French brands boycott movement by examining the moderating role of brand…

1031

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate some factors that might drive Muslims in Indonesia to get involved in a French brands boycott movement by examining the moderating role of brand judgment and counterargument.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey has been conducted to 1,063 respondents from all over Indonesia. The respondents are selected using the purposive sampling technique. The model is assessed using covariance-based structural equation modeling, which includes the assessment of measurement and structural model. An interaction moderation technique is applied to examine the effect of moderators on the structural model.

Findings

This study shows that the French brand boycott is strongly affected by consumer animosity, perceived efficacy and subjective norms. Moreover, this study also found that the effect of animosity on boycott intention is dampened by brand judgment and counterargument.

Practical implications

First, multinational companies are advised to be careful in creating a campaign. They should avoid sensitive words or the use of specific figures or places highly respected by Muslims. A sensitive campaign might spread hatred, and it is directly connected with the boycott movement based on history. Second, it is pivotal for multinational companies to focus more on product or brand values instead of controversial issues. Finally, multinational companies are also advised to strengthen brand love. When brand love is strong, it is difficult for them to stop patronizing the brand or even switch to other brands.

Originality/value

Prior studies’ findings are still inconclusive in explaining some factors that lead to the success of a boycott call-to-action. Therefore, this study contributes to boycott literature by revealing the importance of brand judgment and counterargument to moderate consumer animosity and boycott intention link.

Details

Journal of Islamic Marketing, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0833

Keywords

1 – 10 of 74