Ideal Self-congruity Research Articles

BRAND SATISFACTION MEMEDIASI PENGARUH SELF CONGRUITY TERHADAP BRAND LOYALTY

Abstract. Research aim to analyze 1) influence of actual, ideal, social and social ideal self-congruity on Iphone brand satisfaction. 2) Influence of actual, ideal, social and social ideal self-congruity self-congruity on Iphone brand loyalty. 3) Influence of brand satisfaction on Iphone brand loyalty. 4) The role mediation of brand satisfaction within influence of actual self-congruity, ideal self-congruity, social self-congruity, social ideal self-congruity on Iphone brand loyalty. Sample has taken by using non probabilty sampling with purposive sampling technique. Respondents are Iphone user in Malang City who made personally purchase decision with has used Iphone about 1 year. Research’s samples are 140. The hypothesis tested by Partial Least Square analysis. The research results actual, ideal and social ideal self-congruity influence on brand satisfaction then brand satisfaction influence on brand loyalty. Brand satisfaction had mediation within influence of actual, ideal dan social ideal self congruity on brand loyalty.

To Be Yourself or to Be Your Ideal Self?

Abstract. Recruitment research on person–organization fit has typically focused on organizations’ fit with potential applicants’ actual self, not considering other possible self-images. Based on image congruity theory, we investigate how actual and ideal self-congruity relate to application intentions and intentions to spread word-of-mouth. In a first study, conducted in Belgium, actual and ideal self-congruity related positively to both outcomes. The relation with application intentions was equally positive for actual and ideal self-congruity. Ideal self-congruity showed a stronger positive relation with word-of-mouth intentions. A second study replicated these findings in the United States and tested for social adjustment concern (need to impress others) as a moderator. As social adjustment concern increased, relations of both outcomes with ideal (actual) self-congruity were stronger (weaker).

Effects of Four Self-Congruity Dimensions on the Evaluation of Newspaper Brands as Inconspicuous Products

This research conducts an experiment with 413 samples to show that four self-congruity dimensions have positive effects on the evaluation of newspaper brands as inconspicuous products. Unlike past research on self-congruity with conspicuous products, this research uses an inconspicuous product as an experimental stimulus. Then it reveals that nonsocial-type self-congruity dimensions (i.e., actual and ideal self-congruity) have an impact on brand evaluation as much as social-type self-congruity dimensions (i.e., social and ideal social self-congruity) even when interdependent self-construal is dominant. Furthermore, the relative importance of nonsocial-type self-congruity dimensions (vs. social- type self-congruity dimensions) is more clearly revealed when the response mode of brand evaluation is brand attitude than purchase intention.

Self-Image and Hypothetical Bias in Willingness to Pay Elicitation: The Case of a Private Good

Stated willingness-to-pay from hypothetical surveys generally exceeds revealed willingness-to-pay from real purchase experiments. One explanation for this hypothetical bias which has been put forward is that participants use high willingness-to-pay statements for public goods to improve their moral self-image. This paper formalizes the argument by building on the reputation model of Benabou and Tirole (2006) and extends it to private goods by applying the concept of ideal self-congruity from consumer research. In the resulting theory people enhance their self-image by showing support for a desired product image. The comparative statics effects for changes in the intrinsic valuation of a good and self-image concerns derived from the formal model are tested in a 2x2 between subject design with 395 participants and a private good. The results indicate that higher self-image concerns lead to an increase in the hypothetical bias while greater valuation for the good leads to a decrease in the bias.

The Janus Face of Ideal Self-Congruence: Benefits for the Brand versus Emotional Distress for the Consumer

Branding strategies that target the consumer’s ideal self may not always be effective, as they elicit both positive and negative consumer reactions and emotions. In a series of studies, we demonstrate that congruence between the brand’s personality and the consumer’s ideal self improves the consumer’s attitude toward the brand through anticipated self-enhancement but also increases his or her negative self-conscious emotions through envy. These consumer reactions depend on the type of ideals represented by the brand (agentic vs. communal ideals) and on consumers’ self-discrepancy. Our research emphasizes the importance of examining both the risks and the rewards of branding strategies that target consumers’ ideal self-congruence and highlights the need to take a contingency perspective when doing so.

The role of ideal self-congruence and brand attachment in consumers’ negative behaviour

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of ideal self-congruence in instigating two types of negative consumer behaviours – compulsive buying and external trash-talking – and the mediating role of brand attachment on these relationships.Design/methodology/approachTwo studies were designed using a structural equation modelling methodology. Study 1a was based on a mail survey of 280 respondents, whereas Study 1b was based on an electronic survey of 152 respondents. Study 1b was conducted to test the external validity of the research model.FindingsIn Study 1a, ideal self-congruence affects emotional brand attachment and in turn emotional brand attachment affects compulsive buying behaviour and external trash-talking. The mediation analysis indicates that emotional brand attachment mediates the relationships. Study 1b offers support to the results of Study 1a.Practical implicationsFrom a practical point of view, this study is useful for policymakers seeking to regulate and prevent excessive consumerism. For marketers, they should understand that brand attachment leads to compulsive buying and external trash-talking, which may provide immediate benefit for the brand or the firm. However, marketers should understand that these two negative behaviours may harm the firm image and consumers’ well-being in the long run.Social implicationsApart from practical implications, firms should consider alleviating compulsive buying, as it is harmful to society. Similarly, excessive external trash-talking may lead to physical aggression. Consumers expect firms to be socially responsible. Thus, firms should start conducting activities that promote responsible shopping and reduce external trash-talking.Originality/valueThe study highlights a dark side of ideal self-congruence and brand attachment. The results suggest that ideal self-congruence with the help of emotional brand attachment predicts compulsive buying behaviour and external trash-talking. This may not only damage brand image but also the consumers’ well-being.

Actual and ideal-self congruence and dual brand passion

PurposeThe aim of this study is to explore the relationships between actual (ASC) and ideal self-congruence (ISC) and harmonious (HBP) and obsessive brand passion (OBP).Design/methodology/approachStudy 1 uses a sample collected via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to test a baseline conceptual model which links ASC and ISC to HBP and OBP. Study 2 employs a sample outsourced through Qualtrics. Study 2 had dual objectives: to replicate Study 1 using a larger and more diverse sample and to test whether hedonic brand characteristics may affect the hypothesized relationships between two types of self-congruence and two types of brand passion.FindingsThe findings suggest that different types of self-congruity influence different types of consumer passion for the brand. Specifically, a fit between brand personality and one’s true self (ASC) helps develop a passion for the brand that is self-affirming and in harmony with other facets of the consumer’s life. Fit between brand personality and one’s ideal self (ISC) leads to OBP. The results suggest that hedonic benefits of a brand do not moderate the relationship between ASC and HBP.Originality/valueThis research examines the duality of brand passion (harmonious and obsessive) and the relationships with consumers’ ASC and ISC. It provides insight into how a product-related context variable (hedonic nature of the product) can moderate these relationships and further augments the nomological network of the dual brand passion concept in the brand consumer context.

Self-congruence, brand attachment and compulsive buying

Compulsive buying refers to a phenomenon that promotes excessive consumerism which may hurt the brands' reputation in the long run. This study examines the influence of actual and ideal self-congruence on brand attachment and two dimensions of compulsive buying behavior (i.e. impulsive and obsessive-compulsive buying). Based on a survey of 427 respondents, it is evident that self-congruence directly affects brand attachment, where actual self-congruence is a stronger predictor of brand attachment. Both actual and ideal self-congruence do not directly affect obsessive-compulsive buying. This indicates that brand attachment fully mediates the relationships. However, actual self-congruence directly affects impulsive buying but ideal self-congruence does not. This indicates that brand attachment partially mediates the relationship between actual self-congruence and impulsive buying and fully mediates the relationship between ideal self-congruence and impulsive buying. Interestingly, the direct effect of actual self-congruence on impulsive buying is negative. Academic and managerial implications of these findings are discussed.

The Influence of Actual and Ideal Self-Congruity on Consumers' Purchase Intentions

During the course of consumer behaviour research an augmented focus pertaining to consumer brand selection and the reason/s why consumers purchase a particular brand became evident. Research postulates that consumers tend to purchase brands that have personality attributes that closely correspond to their actual self-concept and enhance their self-image, thereby bringing them closer to their ideal self-concept. Self-congruity is of paramount importance to marketing for the reason that most of the products consumers purchase are influenced by the images consumers have about themselves. According to Sirgy in 1982, self-congruity defines the procedure in which consumers match their own self-concept with the imageries of a particular brand (as cited in Sohn & Yuan, 2011). In this era of hyper competition in the marketplace, it is imperative that marketers establish and preserve an enduring, mutually beneficial relationship between their brands and their target markets in order for their companies’ growth and survival. This article aims to assess the influence that actual and ideal self-congruity have on consumers’ purchase intentions with reference to the clothing and mobile phone brands that are purchased by consumers. This study was undertaken in EThekwini (Durban), South Africa and was conducted within a Public Tertiary Institution comprising of postgraduate and undergraduate students from three colleges. The institution comprised of thirteen Schools which participated in this study. A sample of 385 respondents was drawn using simple random sampling with a 100% response rate from respondents. Since students represent a lucrative market segment for marketing managers to penetrate, a survey was undertaken in order to unearth whether there exists a congruous relationship between the self-concept of students and the personality attributes of the brands they purchase; and to determine the impact that this relationship has regarding students’ brand preference, customer-brand satisfaction and brand loyalty on students’ purchase intentions. Data for the sample was collected using a self-developed, precoded questionnaire whose psychometric properties were statistically determined. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that actual and ideal self-congruity does influence purchase intentions significantly and there exists a positive relationship among students’ actual and ideal self-congruity, brand preference, customer-brand satisfaction and brand loyalty. Consumers tend to base brand choices for clothing and mobile phones very closely to their perceptions of their actual and ideal self-concepts thus this becomes important for marketers to monitor and target in order to better influence future purchase intentions of these consumers. Based on the results of the study recommendations have been made to better understand consumers and their actual and ideal selves more critically with a view to servicing them more efficiently. The results, thus enable marketing managers to improve brand loyalty, brand preference and customer-brand satisfaction among consumers; and gain insight into consumers’ actual and ideal self-congruity.

The Influence of Actual and Ideal Self-Congruity on Consumers’ Purchase Intentions

During the course of consumer behaviour research an augmented focus pertaining to consumer brand selection and the reason/s why consumers purchase a particular brand became evident. Research postulates that consumers tend to purchase brands that have personality attributes that closely correspond to their actual self-concept and enhance their self-image, thereby bringing them closer to their ideal self-concept. Self-congruity is of paramount importance to marketing for the reason that most of the products consumers purchase are influenced by the images consumers have about themselves. According to Sirgy in 1982, self-congruity defines the procedure in which consumers match their own self-concept with the imageries of a particular brand (as cited in Sohn & Yuan, 2011). In this era of hyper competition in the marketplace, it is imperative that marketers establish and preserve an enduring, mutually beneficial relationship between their brands and their target markets in order for their companies’ growth and survival. This article aims to assess the influence that actual and ideal self-congruity have on consumers’ purchase intentions with reference to the clothing and mobile phone brands that are purchased by consumers. This study was undertaken in EThekwini (Durban), South Africa and was conducted within a Public Tertiary Institution comprising of postgraduate and undergraduate students from three colleges. The institution comprised of thirteen Schools which participated in this study. A sample of 385 respondents was drawn using simple random sampling with a 100% response rate from respondents. Since students represent a lucrative market segment for marketing managers to penetrate, a survey was undertaken in order to unearth whether there exists a congruous relationship between the self-concept of students and the personality attributes of the brands they purchase; and to determine the impact that this relationship has regarding students’ brand preference, customer-brand satisfaction and brand loyalty on students’ purchase intentions. Data for the sample was collected using a self-developed, precoded questionnaire whose psychometric properties were statistically determined. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicate that actual and ideal self-congruity does influence purchase intentions significantly and there exists a positive relationship among students’ actual and ideal self-congruity, brand preference, customer-brand satisfaction and brand loyalty. Consumers tend to base brand choices for clothing and mobile phones very closely to their perceptions of their actual and ideal self-concepts thus this becomes important for marketers to monitor and target in order to better influence future purchase intentions of these consumers. Based on the results of the study recommendations have been made to better understand consumers and their actual and ideal selves more critically with a view to servicing them more efficiently. The results, thus enable marketing managers to improve brand loyalty, brand preference and customer-brand satisfaction among consumers; and gain insight into consumers’ actual and ideal self-congruity.

The Impact of Brand Experiences, Brand Equity and Corporate Branding on Brand Loyalty: Evidence from Jordan

The aim of this research paper was to approach the impact of brand experiences, brand equity and corporate branding on brand loyalty. The sample of this research consisted of 413 employees selected on a random basis from 10 Jordanian companies. A questionnaire-based survey was used in order to collect the required data. The research model consisted of three independent variables (brand experiences, brand equity and corporate branding) and one dependent variable (brand loyalty). Brand experiences were divided into three sub-dimensions: brand sensory experience, brand affective experience significantly and brand cognitive experience. Brand equity was sectioned into seven factors: perceived quality, staff behavior, ideal self-congruence, life style-congruence, environment, trust and brand identification. On the other hand, corporate branding was studied in terms of corporate associations, corporate activities, corporate values, corporate personalities, and functional benefits. All dimensions included in this research were measured using a valid and reliable questionnaire developed based on a deep literature review. The results of this research confirmed positive as well as significant effects of all independent dimensions on brand loyalty, except sensory and cognitive experiences. The main contribution of this paper can been seen in closing the gap in research in favor of the impact of brand experiences, brand equity and corporate branding on brand loyalty in Jordanian companies as well assign identifying that Jordanian customers are mainly focused on affective experience of a brand rather than on sensory or cognitive experiences. Managers and researchers can benefit from this research by utilizing such concepts to enhance brand loyalty and conducting further studies to explore other factors critical factors that might improve brand loyalty. The major limitation of this research is related to the sample region since it was conducted in two cities only. Future research should consider other companies and employees form other governorates in Jordan.

Why do audiences choose to keep watching on live video streaming platforms? An explanation of dual identification framework

Live video streaming has been a global economic and social phenomenon in recent years. Many streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube Live have been founded and demonstrated unprecedented growth across the world. Yet, researchers have paid insufficient attention to understanding the massive participation behavior exhibited by live video streaming audiences. Based on social identity theory, this paper aims to explain audiences' continuous watching behavior intention via a dual identification framework including identifications with streaming broadcasters and audience groups. Analysis of data collected from two live streaming platforms in mainland China indicates that audiences’ identification with broadcasters and audience groups are positively associated with their continuous watching intention. Broadcaster identification is driven by individual experience including experience of parasocial interaction, actual and ideal self-congruity, whereas group identification is enhanced by co-experience consisting of participation, cognitive communion, and resonant contagion. In addition, live streaming genres partially moderate the impact of identification on continuous watching intention. Theoretical and practical implications as well as limitations and suggestions for future research are provided.

Destination brand personality and destination brand attachment – the involvement of self-congruence

ABSTRACTDrawn upon the brand attachment theory, this study examines the role of destination brand personality (DBP) and self-congruence in developing destination brand attachment (DBA) from the perspective of tourists. In particular, the study investigates whether DBP tends to match tourists’ ideal self or conforms more to the actual self during the DBA development process. The conceptual model is empirically tested with a sample of Chinese independent tourists in Yangshuo, China, a popular destination for this market segment. In addition to identifying the four DBP dimensions relevant to Yangshuo, the most important findings of this study rest on the mediating role of self-congruence between DBP and DBA. These findings suggest that congruence between the actual self and the DBP dimensions of Excitement and Charming contribute to the development of DBA, while the ideal self-congruence does not.

Self-Esteem’s Moderation of Self-Congruity Effects on Brand Loyalty

This research set out to find how consumer self-esteem moderates the relative importance of actual self-congruity vs. ideal self-congruity on women’s brand loyalty to fitness brands. College-aged women were the primary focus for this research because this demography represents an emerging consumer group and because the literature suggests women score significantly lower than men on self-esteem scales in physical appearance, athletic self, personal self, and self-satisfaction self-esteem. A survey of 151 women of 18 - 24 ages was conducted supporting prior research findings that actual and ideal self-congruity are both positively correlated with brand loyalty.

자아일치 소비에 대한 노스탤지어의 역할

본 연구의 목적은 노스탤지어가 자아일치 소비에 미치는 영향에 대해 검토하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 40-50대 성인 남녀 283명을 대상으로 2(노스탤지어 자극 vs. 비 노스탤지어 자극물) X 2(이상적 자아 일치정도 높음 vs. 이상적 자아 일치 정도 낮음) 피험자간 설계의 실험 연구를 실시하였다. 실험 결과, 노스탤지어 자극 조건에서 이상적 자아와 관련이 깊은 리츠칼튼 브랜드에 대해 자아일치 정도가 높을 경우 더 호의적인 브랜드 태도와 더 높은 구매의도를 보였으나 노스탤지어를 자극하지 않은 경우에는 브랜드 태도나 구매의도가 향상되지 않았다. 한편 실제적 자아와 연관된 이디야 커피 브랜드에서는 노스탤지어와 브랜드의 이상적 자아일치 사이에 이와 같은 상호작용 효과가 나타나지 않았다. 이 결과를 바탕으로 이론적, 실무적 함의점을 토론하였다. This study examined the interaction of nostalgia and self-congruence on consumer behavior. We proposed that nostalgia make consumers' brand attitude and purchase intention more positive when the level of congruence between the brand and consumer's ideal self-image is high, irregardless of the level of actual self congruence. 283 middle-aged people participated and 2(nostalgia: stimuli vs. control) X 2(ideal self-congruence: high vs. low) between subject design is used. The result showed the interaction effect of nostalgia and ideal self congruence. Nostalgia-primed (vs. control) participants reported higher brand attitude and purchase intention to the ideal self-congruent brand. Finally the theoretcal and practical implications and limitations of this study are discussed.

Development and validation of a destination personality scale for mainland Chinese travelers

This study aims to develop a destination personality scale utilizing a sample of mainland Chinese travelers and examine the impact of this new scale on tourists' travel attitudes and behaviors using a two-step mixed method approach. Results yield an 18-item five-dimensional destination personality scale (competence, sacredness, vibrancy, femininity, and excitement) with desirable reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. Except for “vibrancy”, the other four dimensions are found to be significant determinants of travelers’ actual self-congruity, ideal self-congruity, and destination loyalty. Results suggest that “competence” and “femininity” are the primary determinants of three criterion variables when all other dimensions are controlled for. This study provides empirical evidence for the necessity of developing a culture-specific destination personality scale under the Chinese cultural context. Destination managers could use this scale to evaluate and identify their primary destination personality characteristics, and adjust their current promotion strategies to target travelers from mainland China more effectively.

A Link between Consumer Empathy and Brand Attachment on Branded Mobile Apps: The Moderating Effect of Ideal Self-Congruence

Background/Objectives: The present study examined a hypothesized model of branded mobile apps that considers the impact of consumer empathy on brand attachment and the moderating effect of ideal self-congruence. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Based on data collected from 395 Korean undergraduate students who have used branded apps, testing of the hypothesized model was conducted by structural equation modeling using AMOS 21. The current study controlled for CMV by including all items loaded on their theoretical constructs a single source as a first-order factor in the structural models. Findings: The results showed a strong moderating effect of self-congruence on the relationship between consumer empathy and brand attachment in the context of branded applications. Therefore, consumers who experience empathy with their branded mobile apps are likely to emotionally attach to a brand when they perceive a high level of ideal self-congruence with the brand. Application/Improvements: Based on these findings, brand managers can take advantage of mobile application channels for the purposes of branding and relational marketing strategies.

Tie the knot: building stronger consumers’ attachment toward a brand

Extant research has promoted the importance and seeking to establish a deeper understanding of brand loyalty. However, it still remains elusive and uncertain. A study with more than 1,500 CEOs worldwide believes that creating a bond with consumers and continuing to learn how to strengthen the bond are essential for realizing strategies and delivering on shareholder expectations. Not surprisingly, firms and researchers are seeking ways to build a stronger connection with consumers, because such attachment acts as a key requisite in a firm’s success. Consequently, understanding how marketers can intensify the attachment is important. This article offers a framework for building stronger consumers’ attachment and testing it based on a survey of 432 participants. Four factors are deemed to be important: ideal self-congruence, sensory experience, responsiveness, and CSR beliefs. Attachment influences loyalty and resilience to negative information. Additionally, attachment fully mediates ideal self-congruence and responsiveness to loyalty, as well as ideal self-congruence and sensory experience to resilience to negative information.

Identifying moderators of brand attachment for driving customer purchase intention of original vs counterfeits of luxury brands

Few studies have examined the relationships between brands and consumers in the context of counterfeiting. In this context, this research aims to explore how the attachment of a consumer with a luxury brand can affect her/his decision to buy counterfeits, and how this relates to her/his public self-consciousness. Two survey based studies were conducted among potential counterfeit buyers in Brazil. A sample of middle-class female fashion shoppers from Brazil was used to test the hypotheses in study 1 (n=532) and study 2 (n=276). Innovatively, this research provides convincing implications for the need to differentiate counterfeiting theory between emerging and developed economies. Evidence of the positive impact of actual self-congruence and ideal self-congruence on brand attachment to luxury brands in emerging economies is provided. The role of brand attachment is in contrast to findings reported in other emerging economies. Interestingly, the results demonstrate that the purchase of counterfeits is a more hedonic process compared to the purchase of originals (study 1). The effect of brand attachment on the willingness to buy counterfeits may vary according to how attachment is measured (study 2). Yet, brand attachment has a consistent positive effect on intentions to purchase originals. Producing increments in the emotional brand attachment level can reduce the behavioural intentions of purchasing counterfeits. Hence, the findings suggest that the creation of emotional links with brands can be an appropriate strategy to reduce counterfeiting.

중국 소비자의 자기일치성과 대중문화 관여도가 한류콘텐츠 평가와 태도에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구

The purposes of this study are; first, to supply useful suggestions for the market segmentation of the Chinese market according to individual psychological variables(self-congruence) of customers. Second, it figures out the relative importance of actual self-congruence and ideal self-congruence. Lastly, it reveals whether there are any differences in the preference of attributes according to the popular cultural involvement. According to the results, actual self-congruence had a positive influence on the contents factor evaluation while ideal self-congruence had positive effect on the human and cultural factors evaluation. Also, the human and cultural factor had a positive influence on the purchase intention, as well as content factor and cultural factor had the influence on the word-of-mouth. In addition, the group of highly interested in the involvement at the popular culture was significantly higher in the evaluation on the human and contents factor than the low group.