The Interplay between Global and Local Brands: A Closer Look at Perceived Brand Globalness and Local Iconness

Focusing on the transitioning Chinese market, this study examined the interplay between perceived brand globalness and localness for local and global brands. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were first conducted to explore Chinese consumers’ changing meaning-making of iconic global and Chinese brands. The qualitative findings illuminated consumers’ evolving understanding of global and local brands, and the complicated dynamics between perceived brand globalness and localness. An online survey was subsequently administered to empirically assess the connection between brand globalness and localness across different iconic local and global brand pairs. The impacts of these brand perceptions on brand prestige and quality were further evaluated.

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to study the impact of perceived brand globalness (PBG) on consumers' purchase intention (PI) and the mediating role of perceived brand quality (PBQ) and perceived brand prestige (PBP) in this relation, among consumers in emergent markets. The paper also investigate the moderating role of consumer ethnocentrism (CE) on the relation between PBG and both PBQ and PBP.Design/methodology/approachA web‐based survey was conducted in an emerging market (Pakistan) using both global and local brands. The model was tested using structural equation modeling.FindingsPBG positively impacts both PBQ and PBP while PBQ appears to be a stronger mediator than PBP. The moderating role of CE between PBG and PBQ and between PBG and PBP has been demonstrated; the weaker the CE the stronger the relationships.Research limitations/implicationsA convenience sample was used and caution must be taken when generalizing findings from this study. Managers of global brands must meet consumers' expectations in terms of the quality of their brands and may highlight the prestige associated to them. Low ethnocentric consumers favor global brands, rendering this segment attractive for the managers of global brands.Originality/valueThe paper extends previous work on the role of brand globalness by focusing on an emergent market where the choice problem between local and global brands is acute and by demonstrating the moderating role of CE.

This study aims to investigate the effects of perceived brand globalness (PBG) on consumer affective and behavioral responses to brand failures and for how consumer perceives global and local brands and their responses in the event of failure present or absent related to brand performance and brand familiarity, brand presence and prestige, brand equity, product country match, country ethnocentrism.This research is conducted in regards to women consumers in two cities in North India related to global and local brands with impact of perceived brand globalness to brand failures present or absent scenario based on consumer responses. The research explored into four main factors as dependent variables on which PBG effects are examined and observed in failure present as well as failure absent scenario. This research consists of mainly two studies and two preliminary tests. Study 1 is executed basically to investigate and to test consumer responses towards brand failures of fictitious brands. Study 2 is designed to examine consumer responses to brand failures of established brands.The study found that PBG effects are more positive on Global brands as compared to the local brands and concluded that consumer is less negative and less impulsive to the global brands when they met failure scenario. The study could not find any significance and examined that customer ethnocentrism does not interrupt with buying behavior. This research was able to test whether global brands are still perceived superior to local brands in the context of Indian consumer and also test whether the effects of PBG on consumer responses to brand failures will be mediated by consumer attribution as blaming or fault accountable in the event of encountering.Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 5, Issue-1: 18-30

PurposeThis study examined the effects of perceived brand localness (PBL) and perceived brand globalness (PBG) on consumer behavioral intentions (CBIs) (PI – purchase intentions, PP – price premium and WOM – word of mouth) via brand authenticity (BA). Additionally, this study considered the moderating impact of uncertainty avoidance (UA) and the control variable brand familiarity (BF) in emerging markets (EMs), specifically from China and Pakistan contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis study scrutinized 1,638 responses (China, n = 804 and Pakistan, n = 834) from consumers who used discussed local and global brands. The proposed hypotheses were evaluated using the PLS-SEM technique.FindingsThe findings indicated that the PBL and PBG favorably impacted BA, which significantly affected CBIs in both EMs. Specifically, PBL strongly influenced BA in China, whereas PBG strongly affected BA in Pakistan. The direct effects of PBL and PBG supported CBIs (PI, PP and WOM) in Pakistan. Likewise, PBL was significant on PP and WOM, whereas PBG was significant on PP in China. In Pakistan, UA had a significant moderating impact on PBL and BA. Similarly, UA acted as a positive moderator between BA and CBIs (PI and WOM) in Pakistan but was not supported in China.Research limitations/implicationsThis study examined only two EMs. Future studies may examine emerging vs developed markets. Theoretically, PBL and PBG are important brand signals associated with brand authenticity that communicate to mitigate information asymmetry in EMs. Likewise, brand authenticity was recognized as a positive signal that effectively corresponds to CBIs (in terms of their PI, PP, WOM) by fulfilling brand promises in both EMs. Additionally, UA was proved an effective moderator, improving consumer perceptions of brand authenticity about local brands and increasing PI and WOM toward perceived authentic brands in Pakistan.Practical implicationsThis research revealed important recommendations to help local and global managers in developing and executing several branding strategies in EMs (China and Pakistan). Practically, by improving the brand's localness and globalness, local and global managers may successfully position their brands to influence consumers' perceptions in EMs. Similarly, brand authenticity is a vital positioning tool for managers that favorably influence consumer behavior. Additionally, managers can segment and target their markets by classifying high and low UA consumers, particularly in Pakistan.Originality/valueFollowing signaling theory, this is the first study that contributes toward CBIs in EMs via brand authenticity and considering cultural factors (uncertainty avoidance) from the domestic and international branding perspectives.

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze different brand clarity levels (BCLs) of local, global and glocal types of brands in fast-moving consumer goods from the consumer's perspective. The study also intends to identify whether the consumer's previous experience with such brands may impact BCL.Design/methodology/approachTwenty-eight global and local brands were used to test the hypotheses by conducting a survey with 400 consumers in the emerging economy of Iran. The authors applied a quantitative technique of brand classification, previously proposed in the literature. After categorizing the brands as local, global or glocal, one-way ANOVA, Tukey post hoc and t-test analyses were performed to identify whether the different types of brands had different BCLs.FindingsThe results showed that brand clarity was significantly higher for local bands than for global or glocal brands and that it was higher for glocal bands than for global brands. Furthermore, the consumer's prior experience with a brand had no impact on BCL for different types of brands.Social implicationsFor global brand managers, it is essential to know that local brands in Middle Eastern emerging markets may have more brand clarity than global brands. Therefore, if global brands intend to enter these markets, adopting a glocal positioning appears to be a helpful strategy. Besides, the results suggest that managers should analyze brand categorization from the consumer's perspective, i.e. from a subjective instead of an objective perspective.Originality/valueThis was the first study analyzing the BCL of local, global and glocal brands and identifying significant differences in their BCL.

Purpose Due to changing consumer thinking patterns and market dynamics, the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry has changed dramatically in the past few years. Considering this, this study aims to examine the influence of perceived brand globalness and perceived brand localness on consumer word of mouth through brand attitude by considering consumer ethnocentrism and perceived brand origin as moderators. Design/methodology/approach This study obtained 750 responses from Turkish consumers through a survey and analyzed the data using the maximum-likelihood estimation technique with structural equation modeling. Findings This study discovered that perceived brand globalness and perceived brand localness are critical components that drive brand attitude, influencing consumers' WOM toward global and local QSR brands. Similarly, perceived brand globalness and perceived brand localness are important brand attributes influencing consumer WOM. Importantly, this study found the significant effects of perceived brand origin on brand attitude mainly toward perceived local brands compared to global QSR brands. Although this study did not uncover the influence of consumer ethnocentrism as expected. However, these insights may assist global and local managers to rethink their strategies toward Turkish consumer settings. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted exclusively in Turkey. However, additional studies in other countries, such as the comparative Asian versus European consumers' perspectives, may be considered to generalize the findings. Practical implications This study provides recommendations to global and local managers to support them in designing and executing several brand positioning strategies in the QSR industry. Originality/value This novel study contributes to the accessibility diagnostic theory and signaling theory by examining consumers' perceptions of local and global brands.

The main purpose of this research is to determine influence of brand and consumer characteristics on consumers` behaviour regarding purchase of global and local brands. Starting from Theory of planned behaviour and Theory of social identity several antecedents of consumers` attitudes were researched in proposed modelquality of brands, prestige, ethnocentrism and materialism. For this purpose, sample comprising of 329 respondents was collected. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the validity of the model and structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to determine relationships between variables. Empirical research has shown that the factors of quality of local brands and ethnocentrism have a positive and statistically significant effect on the consumers` attitudes towards the local brands. On the other side, brand quality, prestige and materialism have a positive effect on the attitudes of consumers towards global brands, whereas ethnocentrism has a negative effect on attitudes towards this type of brands. In addition, research has shown that the attitudes have positive influence on consumers` behavioural intentions regarding purchase of both local and global brands and that consumers` intentions have positive effect on actual purchase of both types of brands. The main finding of the paper implies that the characteristics of consumers and brands influence consumer behaviour in terms of purchasing aforementioned types of brands. The conducted research has a scientific and practical contribution in terms of obtaining information about the factors that influence the consumers` decisions regarding the purchase of both local and global brands.

The authors develop an omni-brand orientation framework that is a bidimensional conceptualization allowing global (local) brand elements to coexist alongside local (global) elements to create a “gloCal” brand. Using an interpretive analysis of interviews with 50 executives, the authors offer new insights into building and succeeding as a gloCal brand. The study shows that global brands are trying to become gloCal by building and nurturing local authenticity. The building blocks of local authenticity are brand image local connection, local iconness, local insights, and originality. Local brands, in turn, try to become gloCal by achieving global acceptance, a perception identified closely with global brands. The building blocks of global acceptance are perceived brand globalness, innovation, product performance quality, and global brand power. A follow-up study with 19 executives dives deeper into the drivers of success and leads to a conceptualization of a gloCal success cycle, which identifies components and strategies that enable brands to win both globally and locally.

Building on shifting standards theory from social psychology, the authors suggest global versus local branding as an important categorization that affects consumers’ reactions to product-harm crises in emerging markets. Specifically, the distinct associations attached to global and local brands create shifting standards and lead to differential consumer expectations and evaluations. In four main and two supplementary experiments, the authors demonstrate that consumers from emerging markets react more negatively toward a product-harm crisis by global (vs. local) brands. Higher initial expectations for global brands are the underlying cause of this more pronounced consumer response to failures. The authors demonstrate which specific expectations are driven by the shifting standards around global and local brands and identify product category as a relevant boundary condition. Finally, consumers with high ethnocentrism appreciate it directionally more when a local brand provides compensation after a product-harm crisis than when a global brand provides compensation. The results have important implications for brand management and crisis management strategies.

Purpose: This study aims to understand better the perception of the country of origin of green products towards the Generation Z population between local and global brands. This study also serves as a reference for future studies or research on how the influence of perception can determine the weight of how the Generation Z population views and potentially buy an environmentally friendly product between local and global brands. Method: This study uses primary data collected through questionnaires and distributed to the population of Generation Z from the island of Batam, with 376 valid respondents. Indicators from Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to analyze how Local Brands and Global Brands can influence the perception of Green Products from the view of the Country of Origin from the Generation Z population. Result: The results of this study have practical implications, suggesting that the variables used in this study have a positive influence and are significant. For instance, Perceived Brand Globalness (PBG) and Perceived Brand Localness (PBL) have a positive and significant nature toward Brand Stereotype Warmth and Competence. Brand Stereotype Warmth and Competence also positively and significantly affect Perceived Value. Perceived Value also has a positive and significant nature towards Purchase Intentions. These findings are not only insightful but also relevant and applicable to the field of consumer behavior and green products.

A Mixed Methods Approach to Investigating Glocal or Hybrid Brands

PurposeThe dominant paradigm in international branding research treats perceived brand globalness (PBG) and localness (PBL) as attributes algebraically participating in brand assessment and disregards the perception of brands as humanlike entities actively embedded in consumers’ social environments. Challenging this view and drawing from stereotype theory, the purpose of this paper is to suggest that PBG/PBL trigger the categorization of products under the superordinate mental categories of global/local brands which carry distinct stereotypical content. Such content transfers to every individual product for which category membership is established and shapes brand responses.Design/methodology/approachOne experimental study (Study1,n=134) tests the process of global/local brand stereotype formation, identification and content transfer. Subsequently, two consumer surveys test the impact of brand stereotypes on brand approach/avoidance tendencies (Study2,n=328) and consumer–brand relationships (Study3,n=273). Data were analyzed with experimental techniques and structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings suggest that upon categorization under the global or local brand class, individual brands are charged with the stereotypical content of the class. Global brands are predominantly stereotyped as competent while local brands are predominantly stereotyped as warm. Localness-induced warmth has uniformly positive effects, whereas globalness-induced competence acts as a double-edged sword which can both help and harm the brand.Originality/valueThis research contributes by proposing a novel conceptualization of global and local brands as groups of intentional marketplace agents stereotyped along their intentions and abilities, empirically establishing the process through which individual brands are assigned stereotypical judgments and demonstrating how these judgments impact critical brand outcomes and consumer–brand relationships.

This study investigates the attitudes of young consumers towards global and local brands in emerging economies, focusing on individuals aged 15–25. With increasing exposure to both local and global brands, youth represent a critical market segment, however the factors influencing their brand choices remain insufficiently examined. This research seeks to understand how cultural identity, brand loyalty, perceived value, and price sensitivity shape these preferences. Existing literature indicates that Global brands are often associated with higher quality and status, while Local brands maintain popularity through cultural relevance and affordability. The study aims to explore how these variables influence brand perception among youth. Adopting a mixed-method approach, the study collected primary data through structured questionnaires targeting individuals in the 15–25 age group. Secondary data were sourced from academic publications, market reports, and online databases. Findings reveal that while global brands are admired for their image and quality, local brands are preferred for their affordability and cultural alignment. Young consumers balance value-consciousness with aspirational choices, often shaped by peer influence and social media trends. This research provides valuable insights for marketers seeking to position brands effectively in youth-driven economy. However, limitations include the restricted demographic scope and reliance on self-reported data, which may affect generalizability. Future research studies could extend to wider age groups and regions for deeper insights. Keywords: Consumer behaviour, Youth Marketing, Brand preference, Global vs Local Brands, Emerging market.

The authors propose an augmented conceptual model explaining consumer preferences for global brands versus local brands in emerging markets and test the model using data from a Chinese consumer sample. The model adds high brand-identity expressiveness as well as high trust and positive affect toward these brands. The results support these additions and replicate previous findings that brand quality and prestige are important links between perceived brand globalness (PBG) and perceived brand localness (PBL) and favorable behavioral intentions. The most novel finding is that both PBG and PBL can enhance a brand's identity expressiveness. The results establish the mediating roles of these additional variables between PBG/PBL and behavioral intentions and also identify the incremental explanatory value of these additional mediators, which have been neglected in previous global branding research. Furthermore, PBG—which affects behavioral intentions through pathways of brand prestige, trust, and affect—is more influential than PBL, which operates mainly through brand identity expressiveness.

본 연구는 대전지역에 위치한 국내 및 국외브랜드 커피전문점을 이용하는 고객을 대상으로 커피전문점의 서비스품질을 평가하고, 고객의 개인적 특성 및 브랜드에 따라 서비스품질에 차이가 있는지를 검증하였다. 연구결과를 요약하면 첫째, 브랜드 커피전문점 고객 330명 중 20대가 71.5%로 가장 많았으며, 일주일에 1～2회 이상 커피전문점을 이용하는 고객은 46.7%이었다. 국내브랜드 커피전문점 이용고객은 여성(64.5%)이 남성(35.5%)에 비해 약 1.8배 정도 많았으며, 한 달 수입이 많을수록 국내브랜드에 비해 국외브랜드 커피전문점의 고객비율이 좀 더 높게 나타나 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 보였다(p=0.010). 둘째, 전반적인 서비스품질은 7점 척도에서 4.66으로 보통보다 약간 높은 수준이었다. 요인분석 결과, 4개의 요인이 추출되었고, 각 요인별 평균점수는 ‘대표성’(5.01), ‘커피의 관능 및 커피 외 음료의 관능’ (4.77), ‘종사원의 태도’(4.74), ‘물리적 환경’(4.14) 순이었다. 셋째, 서비스품질 요인 중 ‘종사원 태도’와 ‘커피의 관능품질 및 커피 외 음료의 특성’ 품질에 대해 수입이 높은 고객일수록 유의적으로 낮게 평가하였다(p=0.019, p=0.032). ‘물리적 환경’ 품질에 대해서는 브랜드 커피전문점을 자주 이용하는 고객일수록 유의적으로 높게 평가하였다(p=0.034). 넷째, 국내와 국외브랜드 커피전문점간의 서비스품질을 비교한 결과, ‘대표성’ 품질은 국외브랜드 커피전문점(5.17)이 국내브랜드 커피전문점(4.78)에 비해 유의적으로 높았다(p=0.003). ‘종사원의 태도’는 국내브랜드 커피전문점(4.88)이 국외브랜드 커피전문점(4.68)에 비해 유의적으로 높았다(p=0.050). ‘물리적 환경’ 품질은 국내브랜드 커피전문점이, ‘커피의 관능품질 및 커피 외 음료의 특성’은 국외브랜드 커피전문이 각각 유의적은 아니나 다소 높게 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 통하여 국내브랜드 커피전문점에서는 국외브랜드에 비해 낮은 ‘대표성’ 품질을 제고하기 위해 주 고객층인 20대 여성을 중심으로 브랜드 인지도 증진을 위한 마케팅 활동과 브랜드를 대표할 수 있는 독창적인 음료 및 서브메뉴의 지속적인 개발과 홍보 전략을 수립하는 것이 급선무임을 확인할 수 있었다. 반면 국외브랜드 커피전문점에서는 고객과 상호작용하게 되는 종사원들의 역할 중요성을 인식하고 ‘종사원 태도’ 품질 개선을 위해 내부마케팅 활동에 주력할 필요가 있겠다. 국내 및 국외브랜드 간 경쟁이 심화되고 있는 시점에서 커피전문점 산업의 특성에 따른 서비스품질 속성을 반영하여 개발된 척도인 CoffeeSERV를 이용하여 서비스품질을 측정한 후 비교 분석을 통하여 국내 및 국외브랜드별로 개선이 필요한 서비스품질 요인들을 좀 더 정확하게 규명하고, 그에 따른 마케팅 전략 등 시사점을 제시한 본 연구는 서비스품질 향상을 위한 전략수립 시 기초자료로 활용될 수 있으리라 본다.