Original Research

Consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries: Application of a model in Zimbabwe

Charles Makanyeza, Francois du Toit
Acta Commercii | Vol 17, No 1 | a481 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ac.v17i1.481 | © 2017 Charles Makanyeza, Francois du Toit | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 15 February 2017 | Published: 29 August 2017

About the author(s)

Charles Makanyeza, Department of Marketing, School of Entrepreneurship & Business Sciences, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe
Francois du Toit, UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: The study focused on the application of a model of consumer ethnocentrism in Zimbabwe, a developing country.
Research purpose: The study sought to determine the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on consumer attitude, to determine the effect of consumer attitude on purchase intention and to establish the moderating effects of gender, age, education, income, ethnic grouping and city of residence on the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on consumer attitude.
Motivation for the study: Research on consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries is still in its infancy. There is a need to conduct more research on consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries in order to enhance an understanding of this important construct in international marketing.
Research design, approach and method: The study uses a cross section of 289 consumers from Harare and Bulawayo, the two largest cities in Zimbabwe. Structural equation modeling and moderated regression analysis were conducted to test the research hypotheses.
Main findings: The study found that consumer ethnocentrism has a negative effect on consumer attitude, and consumer attitude has a positive effect on purchase intention. None of the demographic variables was found to significantly moderate the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on consumer attitude.
Practical and managerial implications: Marketers who intend to expand into developing markets such as Zimbabwe are advised to consider consumer ethnocentrism and attitudes towards foreign poultry products. Firms targeting foreign markets where consumers are ethnocentric, such as in Zimbabwe, are advised to set up manufacturing facilities in such countries instead of exporting.
Contribution and value-add: The study enhances our understanding of consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries where research on consumer ethnocentrism is still in its infancy.

Keywords

Consumer attitude; consumer behaviour; consumer ethnocentrism; poultry imports; purchase behaviour; purchase intention; Zimbabwe

Metrics

Total abstract views: 3235
Total article views: 4589

 

Crossref Citations

1. The effect of consumer ethnocentrism on the acceptance of imported grocery products in Harare, Zimbabwe
Charity Muchandiona, Nicholas Z. Kakava, Charles Makanyeza, Morteza Akbari
Cogent Business & Management  vol: 8  issue: 1  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1080/23311975.2021.1963167