Purchase intention behavior of halal cosmetics. Comparing study between Indonesia and Malaysia millennial generation

Abstract

Purpose Few studies only focus on halal cosmetics, although several previous studies have examined halal food and beverages. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge, emotional attachment and religiosity on purchase intention, mediated by satisfaction and brand trust. This study stems from the theory of reasoned action (TRA), which merges the knowledge, emotional attachment, religiosity and purchase intention of halal cosmetics. Design/methodology/approach The researchers distributed online questionnaires to respondents via Google Form using social media (Instagram)/messaging application (WhatsApp). The respondents were Indonesian and Malaysian millennial Muslims. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. A total of 528 respondents were involved, consisting of 335 Indonesians and 193 Malaysians. However, data for 381 respondents were successfully screened for normality, outliers and multicollinearity. Furthermore, the data was used for examining the hypotheses proposed. Findings The results for Indonesian and Malaysian samples showed that there is a significant positive effect of knowledge, emotional attachments and religiosity on satisfaction and brand trust. But the Indonesia sample showed that there is no significant effect of religiosity on satisfaction. For Indonesia, there is a positive significant mediating role of satisfaction on purchasing intention. For Malaysia, there is no significant mediating role of satisfaction on purchasing intention. For Indonesia and Malaysia, there are positive significant mediating role of brand trust on purchasing intention. Research limitations/implications The study compared consumers of the millennial generation in Indonesia and Malaysia with limited samples. For future research, it is suggested to exploring and combining non-Muslims and Muslims in the millennial generation and testing it in more than two countries. Practical implications The study provides an accurate understanding of the relationships proposed, such as knowledge, emotional attachment and religiosity, on satisfaction, brand trust and purchasing intention of millennial Muslim woman consumers in Indonesia and Malaysia, because the millennial Muslim woman consumers in Indonesia and Malaysia had the same behavioral characteristics: Muslim consumers and product characteristics. Social implications The study of halal cosmetics can provide a spiritual commitment for Muslims, who consciously prefer socio-religious values in choosing cosmetic products. Therefore, the halal label of the product is also a reason for social and religious values to increase the social awareness of the Muslim millennial generation in Malaysia and Indonesia. Originality/value This research discusses the antecedents and consequences of satisfaction and brand trust on the purchasing intention of halal cosmetics. The response of Muslim consumers to halal cosmetics has not been widely studied in Indonesia and Malaysia. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the halal label on all products has recently been made mandatory by the Indonesian Ulema Council. Therefore, this research offers insights into the attitudes of Muslim consumers towards halal cosmetics products.