Study of Religiosity Animosity and Consumer Efficacy on Participation in Boycott Affiliation of Israeli Products: The Moderating Role of Xenocentrism

As an overarching framework to structure past empirical findings on consumers' boycott participation, this chapter focuses on the trigger/promotor/inhibitor model. The model suggests that the consumers' boycott decision to join a boycott is triggered by their perception that a firm's actions or policies are wrong, because they negatively and harmfully affect the environment, climate, workers, consumers, minorities, society at large, or other stakeholders. The chapter defines consumer boycotts and highlights the relationship between the concepts of anti-consumption and consumer sovereignty. Consumers' boycott participation is a form of anti-consumption. Triggers are factors that stimulate consumers to consider boycotting the target company. Promoters are factors that foster boycott participation. Promoters include moral, expressive, and instrumental factors. Inhibitors are factors that hinder individual participation in the boycott. These factors include positive attitudes toward the target company, subjective costs, free-riding, and counter arguments, such as the small agent argument or a boomerang effect.

The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between personal values and participation in consumer boycotts across countries, taking into account the role of national culture. The study is based on data from the 11th round of the European Social Survey (2023–2024), covering 27 European countries and Israel (N = 46,162). Personal values were measured using Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21), while national culture was described by Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions. The results confirm that self-transcendence and openness to change values along with lower levels of conservation values are associ-ated with greater involvement in boycotts. Moreover, the cultural dimension of indulgence was found to strengthen the positive influence of universalism, benevolence and self-direction values on boycott participation, suggesting that a higher tolerance for emotional expression in more indulgent countries may lead to greater boycott participation. These findings extend previous research by demonstrating that the relationship between personal values and consumer boycotts is shaped by the cultural context.

Research aims: This study explores the determinants of consumer boycott participation of pro-Israel products in Indonesia, a context in which political conflicts strongly shape consumption behavior. Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative descriptive method was used, data collection was conducted in 2024 using purposive sampling technique involving 230 respondents and used Structural Equation Modeling, specifically Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS), to examine how religiosity, consumer animosity, and consumer affinity affect boycott actions. Research findings: The findings revealed that consumer animosity was the strongest predictor of boycott participation (β = 0.619, p < 0.001). In contrast, religiosity (β = –0.024, p = 0.641) and consumer affinity (β = 0.173, p = 0.090) did not have significant effects. The R-square of the boycott participation variable was 0. 558.The results highlight that socio-political emotions, especially animosity, influence boycott behavior more than religious beliefs. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study adds to the consumer behavior field by focusing on actual participation instead of just intentions, showcasing evidence from an emerging economy. Practitioners/Policy Implications: Socio-political content-based public awareness campaigns through social media and influencers, and providing databases or applications that contain a list of products affiliated with Israel, can be a practical strategy to build more consistent and impactful boycott participation. Research Limitations/Implications: This study is limited by the concentration of respondents in Java, which may not fully capture the diversity of consumer behavior across Indonesia. Future research should expand the sample to other regions to provide more representative insights.

The purpose of this study is to examine and ascertain the effects of integrative motivation on the willingness to participate in boycott activities toward Danish products from the perspective of Muslim consumer. Consumer boycotts is a worldwide and historic phenomenon in modern society. The religious boycotting campaigns have proved to be significantly damaging to international companies. From the literature, four effects of motivation on boycott participation are identified. Each variable is measured using 5-point interval scale: Animosity (4 items), efficacy (4 items), product judgment (5 items), prior purchase (4 items) and boycott participation (5 items). Using primary data collection method, 150 questionnaires were distributed to target respondents of post-graduate and under-graduate students of a university in North Malaysia. The responses collected were 121 completed questionnaires representing 80.67 percent response rate. The data will be analyzed using Structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 16. Confirmatory factor analysis of measurement models indicate adequate goodness of fit after a few items was eliminated through modification indices verifications. This study has established six direct causal effects. The findings are discussed in the perspective of Malaysian boycott participation. Overall, the results suggested that the perception of the above four construct and other two important once (efficacy) (β= 0.595, CR=5.758, P<0.001), and (product judgment) (β= 0.617, CR=4.147, P<0.001) Are significantly related and may influence the boycott activities directly or indirectly.

Consumer boycotts have emerged as a significant force in modern markets, with research indicating that up to 42% of multinational corporations and 54% of prominent brands currently face such actions. The growing prevalence of consumer activism represents a fundamental shift in consumer-corporate relationships, where ethical considerations increasingly drive purchasing decisions. Despite extensive research on boycott outcomes, significant gaps exist in understanding the longitudinal effects of boycotts across diverse cultural contexts and the specific mechanisms through which social media amplifies these movements.This study addresses these gaps by examining: (1) the psychological and sociocultural factors driving consumer participation in boycotts; (2) the impact of corporate responses on brand reputation and financial performance; and (3) the role of social media in facilitating consumer activism. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed articles from the Scopus database published between 2019-2024, initially identifying 8,958 documents which were screened down to 45 final articles based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodology combines quantitative bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software and qualitative synthesis. Our findings reveal that consumer boycotts significantly impact both immediate sales and long-term brand reputation, particularly when boycotts are perceived as credible and widely supported. The research demonstrates that boycott participation is driven by complex motivational factors including ethnocentrism, religious beliefs, and social identity, which vary significantly across demographic and cultural contexts. Companies that fail to address consumer concerns face substantial financial losses, while those engaging in proactive corporate social responsibility can mitigate negative impacts. This research contributes a comprehensive framework for understanding consumer boycotts and their strategic implications, highlighting the necessity for businesses to integrate ethical considerations and align communications with consumer values. It extends existing literature by identifying the need for longitudinal and cross-cultural studies to better understand consumer activism in today's conscientious marketplace.

:This article estimates the effects of trust in political and judicial institutions on individuals’ propensity to take part in consumer boycotts. In particular, this study disentangles the effects of institutional trust and quality. The analysis relies on data from the 2010 European Social Survey, which is a path breaking comparative study of how justice is perceived and allows a valid measure of judicial and political trust to be constructed. A two-step instrumental variable method was used to measure the effects of institutional trust, controlling for micro- and macro- level factors. The results indicate that trust in law-making institutions is negatively associated with boycott participation, whereas the relationship between judicial trust in institutions and an individual’s likelihood to boycott is U-shaped. The findings are robust to the introduction of social capital and sociodemographic variables.

The aim of this article is to examine the relationship between personal values and participation in consumer boycotts across countries, taking into account the role of national culture. The study is based on data from the 11th round of the European Social Survey (2023–2024), covering 27 European countries and Israel (N = 46,162). Personal values were measured using Schwartz’s Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-21), while national culture was described by Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions. The results confirm that self-transcendence and openness to change values along with lower levels of conservation values are associ-ated with greater involvement in boycotts. Moreover, the cultural dimension of indulgence was found to strengthen the positive influence of universalism, benevolence and self-direction values on boycott participation, suggesting that a higher tolerance for emotional expression in more indulgent countries may lead to greater boycott participation. These findings extend previous research by demonstrating that the relationship between personal values and consumer boycotts is shaped by the cultural context.

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to investigate and ascertain the effects of integrative motivation on the willingness to participate in boycott activities.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a mail survey to examine the relationships among six constructs in a boycotting issue context, in order to explore Chinese consumers' willingness to boycott against Japanese products or services with the fallout from a Japanese former PM's continuous visits to a controversial war shrine since 2001.FindingsThe findings suggest that there are significant and positive pairwise relationships between boycott participation and three factors (i.e. animosity, efficacy, and prior purchase). High animosity towards Japanese goods and the other two constructs, at the high end of the attitude spectrum, increase the level of willingness to engage in consumer boycott practices.Practical implicationsConsumer boycotts are a worldwide and historic phenomenon in modern society. As the number of protests grows and as local authorities recognize the economic and political impact of such activities, then multinational companies (MNCs) and host countries begin to see the historic and cultural perspective of these events in addition to the conventional consumer behaviour perspective. To enable boycotting to become less harmful, MNC management need to understand what makes local consumers so affronted. The results of the evaluation can potentially be generalized towards a strategic analysis of the boycott model in other hostile market situations.Originality/valueThe findings of this paper offer pivotal implications for decision makers and the management of those Western multinational enterprises who are concerned with increasing their share of the world's largest consumer market. In particular, Japanese MNCs need to pay much more attention to the oppressed and potentially explosive emotion of animosity as the legacy of past conflicts (i.e. war, economic, political, etc.) between Japan and China.

What motivates consumers to participate in boycotts: Lessons from the ongoing Canadian seafood boycott

Consumer boycotts have become an increasingly significant form of consumer activism, driven by ethical, political, and social concerns. This study explores the psychological motivations behind boycott participation in Batam, focusing on emotional triggers, social identity influences, and perceived effectiveness. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 respondents from Generation X, Y, and Z. Thematic analysis was conducted manually, highlighting key motivations such as moral responsibility, peer influence, and digital activism. The findings reveal that Gen Z engages in boycotts as an expression of online activism, Gen Y is driven by ethical consumption, and Gen X remains skeptical and pragmatic. This research contributes to the literature on consumer activism, ethical consumption, and social identity theory, offering insights for businesses, policymakers, and advocacy groups on how to navigate boycott movements and maintain consumer trust.

Consumer boycotts have become an increasingly significant form of consumer activism, driven by ethical, political, and social concerns. This study explores the psychological motivations behind boycott participation in Batam, focusing on emotional triggers, social identity influences, and perceived effectiveness. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 30 respondents from Generation X, Y, and Z. Thematic analysis was conducted manually, highlighting key motivations such as moral responsibility, peer influence, and digital activism. The findings reveal that Gen Z engages in boycotts as an expression of online activism, Gen Y is driven by ethical consumption, and Gen X remains skeptical and pragmatic. This research contributes to the literature on consumer activism, ethical consumption, and social identity theory, offering insights for businesses, policymakers, and advocacy groups on how to navigate boycott movements and maintain consumer trust.

Brand equity is critical for brand sustainability. Companies participate in social issues to maintain brand equity by making the brand easily recognizable, superior in quality, and favored and affirmed by consumers. However, the ideological incompatibility between a brand and consumers may induce the consumers to adopt boycott action, which is an obstacle to brand sustainability. Before adopting boycott action, consumers consider the opinions of themselves and those of others. The opinion incompatibility between consumers is an influential factor for the consumers’ boycott intention, while individuals’ Attention to Social Comparison Information (ATSCI) is a moderate factor. This article conducted three studies that explored the influence of ideological incompatibility and ATSCI on boycott intention. Study 1 and Study 2 conducted an online and an offline experimental design to investigate the consumers’ boycott intention when a brand holds a different view from consumers on a debatable issue—same-sex marriage. Study 3 focused on the influence of ideological incompatibility between consumers and their relatives and friends regarding boycott intention. Individuals’ ATSCI is considered as a moderate factor. Based on these three empirical studies, we conclude that when a brand takes a stand on a debatable issue, it may be taking risks for brand sustainability since some consumers might boycott it because of ideological incompatibility. High ATSCI individuals may choose to follow the opinions of others and change their boycott intention.

This study investigated consumer attitudes and the motivation of small business owners who participated in the 2019 anti-Japan boycott in South Korea (hereafter, Korea). The main areas of inquiry involved self-expression, the realization of justice, and consumer attitudes as elements of patriotic consumption. A seven-day survey was conducted among 500 adult consumers aged 18 years and older in Korea. The retrieved data were subjected to frequency analyses, reliability analyses, factor analyses, paired t-tests, and regressions. Declining Japanese product sales indicated high levels of a consumer boycott. The analyses demonstrated that consumers held positive attitudes toward small business owners who shared their boycotting beliefs and goals. Second, self-expression and the realization of justice motivation were relatively high, as were attitudes toward the participation message and small business owners who were participating in the boycott. Korean consumers had relatively high intentions to visit the stores of small business owners who were participating in the boycott. Lastly, self-expression motivations, motivations to realize justice, consumer attitudes toward the boycott participation messages of small business owners, and consumer attitudes toward the small business owners themselves had statistically significant positive effects. Small business owners holding general consumer beliefs about boycott participation should actively spread their support messages, and this would provide an excellent opportunity to create positive long-term awareness. This study provided a unique insight into Korean consumer behaviors when patriotism was considered. The findings have significant implications for small business owners looking to sustain themselves during product boycotts.

Social media influencers are category enthusiasts who often post product recommendations. Firms sometimes pay influencers to skew their product reviews in favor of the firm. We ask the following research questions. First, what is the optimal level of affiliation (if any) from the firm's perspective? Affiliation introduces positive bias to the influencer's review but also decreases the persuasiveness of the review. Secondly, since affiliated reviews are often biased in favor of the firm, what is the impact of affiliation on consumer welfare? We find that the affiliation decision depends on the cost of information acquisition, the consumer's prior and awareness, and the disclosure regime. When the consumer's prior belief is low, the firm needs to affiliate less closely or not at all in order to preserve the influencer's persuasiveness, the change in the consumer's belief following the influencer's review. In contrast, when the consumer's prior belief is high, the firm fully affiliates with the influencer to both maximize awareness and prevent a negative review. We also show that the firm's involvement can be Pareto-improving if the information acquisition cost is relatively high, and a partial disclosure rule may increase consumer welfare.

Demonstrating the effects of behavioral control beliefs on the actual WEEE discharge routes: A case study in South Korea