Country Image Research Articles

The Role of Country Perceived Image And Review of Beauty Vlogger on Consumer Purchase Intention of Cosmetic Products

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of country image and beauty vlogger reviews on purchase intention, analyze whether beauty vlogger reviews have an effect on purchase intention and analyze whether country image and beauty vlogger reviews have an effect on purchase intention. This research will be conducted to analyze the effect of country image and Beauty vlogger review on Purchase Intention of Korean cosmetics consumers on the Althea.kr website. The survey will be shared via the comments column on Veronica Ong's video channel. Using a web survey via Google form. In recent years, web surveys have been used to collect respondent data for academic research as well as authors sharing surveys online on forums discussing the Althea.kr site, researchers posting survey messages in the comments column by providing a link to beauty vlogger Veronica Ong's video. The conclusion from this study is that country image has a significant effect on purchase intention, beauty vlogger reviews have a significant effect on purchase intention and together country image and beauty vlogger review have a significant effect on purchase intention of Korean cosmetic products. In terms of country image, in this study country image shows significant results on the purchase intention of cosmetic products from South Korea. Here Althea.kr has described products from South Korea and reflects the characteristics of South Korea as a developed country in the field of cosmetics.

Features of Rural Tourism as an Element of Kazakh Culture during the Pandemic Syndrome

The article discusses the prospects for developing rural tourism as one of the tools for shaping the country's image during and after the pandemic period. The tourism sphere of Kazakhstan, in which there were noticeable changes during the pandemic, is analyzed. Areas infected with coronavirus infection were shown on the map. Also, separately studied the data of the tourism sector of the Akmola and Karaganda regions during the pandemic. Marketing and sociological surveys were conducted to find determine residents' opinion of holiday destinations during the pandemic. In the example of neighboring regions of Akmola and Karaganda regions, some tourist objects contributing to the formation of the image and development of rural tourism were highlighted and marked on the map. 
 The key strengths of rural tourism development for the Republic of Kazakhstan, which can contribute to the sustainable formation of the country's image, are identified and recommended. The article compares the effects of COVID-19 and its impact on tourism development. Thus, the pandemic allows the development of domestic tourism in the country, due to which the population began to choose and give preference to tourist sites and routes within the country.

Promoting Country Image and Tourism in New or Underdeveloped Markets

In this paper, the theoretical framework of the Stereotype Content Model (SCM) was applied in the context of a host country promoting its tourism to new or underdeveloped markets. The host country’s perceived Warmth, Competence and Status were each relevant to an understanding of the attitude toward the country itself and as a tourism destination. However, in both instances, the influence of perceived Status was found to be direct and not, as existing SCM theory suggests, via Competence. The findings support Status being a primary dimension of human perception alongside Warmth and Competence within SCM theory. Warmth evaluations also dominated the prediction of Tourism Attitude but not Country Attitude, again contrary to established thinking. The influence on Tourism Attitude of both Uncertainty Avoidance and Individualism/Collectivism were moderated by the perceived Warmth and Status of the host country. Thus, the SCM requires adaptation to the context of tourism in underdeveloped markets.

The Influence of a Country’s Sustainable Development on Likeability, Intention to Travel, and Country Image: A Case Study from Saudi Arabia

This paper discusses the impact of sustainable development on place likeability, intention to travel, and country image. The paper aims to find out whether the UK’s sustainable development encourages people in Saudi Arabia to visit the UK. A self-administered questionnaire was used, which 320 respondents were asked to complete. The collected data were analysed using SPSS software. The results showed that the country’s sustainable development has a major influence on place likeability and intention to travel. The results also indicated that country image leads to country attachment. This paper provides a guideline for managers and policy makers who would like to consider the influence of the environment on their organisations. Additionally, managers can benefit from this paper by considering that country image, intention to travel, and happiness are correlated constructs that are influenced by sustainable development.

Between Propaganda and Dissent: Postmodern Architecture in Pinochet’s Chile

Postmodern forms and tendencies that appeared in Chilean architecture in the 1970s not only overlapped with Augusto Pinochet’s neoliberal dictatorship that lasted from 1973 to 1990 but also are closely connected to the political and economic vision fostered by the dictatorship. Postmodern forms found in banks, hotels, and other commercial buildings and spaces populating Chilean cities in the seventies and eighties aided the government’s political agenda as they helped to normalize painful neoliberal reforms and create an image of prosperity and progress. Moreover, in projects such as the Plaza de la Constitución in Santiago de Chile (1980–1982) and the Congreso Nacional de Chile in Valparaíso (1988–1990), postmodern aesthetics and philosophy were used to project an image of an open democratic country. In these realizations, postmodern tropes such as the symbolic potential of architectural form and references to architectural tradition were used to fabricate a vision of history and society desired by the Pinochet government. Simultaneously, the same architectural currents embraced by Pinochet for propagandistic purposes were utilized by Chilean architects who considered themselves opposed to the dictatorship. This can be seen in the work of CEDLA (Centro de Estudios de la Arquitectura, Center for Architectural Studies), an independent collective of Chilean architects established in 1977 in Santiago de Chile. The members of CEDLA promoted a version of a politically and socially engaged postmodernism that could counter the neoliberal agenda of Pinochet. This paper discusses both ways in which postmodernism was interpreted in Chile during the dictatorship. Investigating Chilean postmodernism helps us rethink the dominant portrayal of postmodernism as politically indifferent or conservative and as part of Jameson’s ‘cultural logic of late capitalism’.

Identifying conceptual features of the country through purposeful corporate metaphor

The article deals with the issue of rethinking the image of the state with the help of the anthropomorphic metaphor COUNTRY IS A PERSON. Taking into account the anthropocentric paradigm of linguistic knowledge, we believe that in the process of their nomination and characterization in the language, objects, surrounding a person, become similar to a native speaker. The experiment was carried out in the form of a survey, in which respondents described Russia through a metaphor with the HUMAN source sphere. 100 people took part in the survey: 70 respondents aged from 18 to 40 and 30 above the age of 40. The proposed method of analyzing anthropomorphic metaphorical modelling of the country image has shown its applicability for identifying the essential attitude characteristics towards the country. Seven cognitive features were identified: a strong-willed character, conservatism, desire to help, militancy, changeability, coldness and patience, which demonstrate a certain level of variability both within the cognitive framework itself and their dependence on the age of the respondents. In particular, we suggest that the most significant feature should be a stronger manifestation of the conceptual sphere “unfriendliness” among the responses of younger respondents, and a more obvious manifestation of the feature “strong-willed character” among the older generation.

The role of multidimensional country-of-origin attributes: Exploring the antecedents of international brand attitude and image

ABSTRACT While the current literature emphasizes the importance of country of origin, this article sheds light on the consequences of country branding. Specifically, we examined the implications of applying multidimensional aspects of a country’s image to international brand management. This quantitative study is used to examine the relative effects of country image dimensions. Specifically, the spillover effects of descriptions of a country’s people, aspirations, and loyalty on customer brand evaluations are found. Also, the impact of brand attitude and image on country’s brand equity is identified. However, perceived country brand quality and brand awareness/association are not enough to ensure positive outcomes for an international brand. Moreover, the roles of customers’ individual characteristics (gender, age, and income) in the relationship between country effects and international branding are examined. The results of multigroup analyses show that descriptions of people have a large effect on brand image among old male customers. In contrast, the aspirations of a country had a stronger effect on brand image among young women. This study highlights the importance of managing country image to increase the success of international brand management.

Identifying Chinese Tourists’ Shopping Values and Their Consequences in the Context of a Duty-Free Shop: The Moderating Role of Country Image

The objective of this study is to identify the role of Chinese tourists’ shopping values in the formation of their outcome variables. This study more specifically proposes that two dimensions of shopping values, which include utilitarian and hedonic shopping values, positively affect brand prestige. In addition, it was hypothesized that brand prestige helps in regard to enhancing well-being perceptions and brand preference. It was also proposed that well-being perceptions and brand preference have a positive influence on word-of-mouth. This study also hypothesized the moderating role of country image in the proposed model. The survey responses were collected from 634 Chinese duty-free tourists. The data analysis results showed that both utilitarian and hedonic shopping values significantly affect brand prestige. Moreover, brand prestige was found to be a significant determinant of well-being perceptions, and well-being perceptions positively affect brand preference. Brand preference is a critical factor affecting word-of-mouth. Lastly, country image played a moderating role in the relationship between brand prestige and well-being perceptions and brand preference and word-of-mouth.

Mediating role of the country image in enhancing memorable experiences and revisits: an Analysis of U.S. tourists in Japan

ABSTRACT Many countries have begun to recognise the importance of their public image in boosting inbound tourism. Following this trend, many destination marketing organisations have begun to promote their country image to attract foreigners, and the relationship between country image and tourists’ behavioural intentions has been examined in tourism research. This study explores the mechanism that generates repeat visits from overseas tourists by investigating tourists’ information processes when visiting a foreign country and how these processes eventually foster their revisit intentions. This study tested an established hypothesis, following an online survey of actual repeat U.S. tourists in Japan. The results revealed that the causal path linking memorable tourism experiences (MTEs) to revisit intention is driven by tourism satisfaction, revised macro country image (RMCI), and consumer affinity. Furthermore, the RMCI fosters revisit intention only when mediated by consumer affinity. This study contributes in the following manner: first, it provides a research model for investigating the sequential mechanism that generates repeat visits from overseas tourists combining country-of-origin research with tourism research; second, it introduces the RMCI as a cognitive country image index to examine the effects of the two types of post-visit evaluations (MTEs and tourism satisfaction).

Linguistic Means of Constructing the Image of Japan in Pedagogical Discourse

The current globalization means that countries have to use different channels in order to build a positive national image. This article describes linguistic means that shape the image of Japan in the corpus of academic and methodological texts for learners of the Japanese language. It focuses on the impact of pedagogical discourse and foreign language textbooks as a channel for linguistic construction of a positive national image. The analysis involved such methods as linguo-imagological analysis, content analysis, lexico-semantic and morpho-semantic analyses. The study owes its scientific novelty to the fact that the Japanese textbooks for foreigners were described for the first time not from the perspective of cultural studies or Japanese language teaching methodology, but as a key genre of pedagogical discourse that transmits knowledge and attitudes reflecting the interests of the most influential social groups and institutions. The textbooks demonstrated a variety of linguistic means of Japan’s image at different linguistic levels. The directions of country image-making are set by texts related to linguistic and cultural studies. Intertextual inclusions, visuals, and grammatical constructions have an ancillary character in this process. Japan’s image has a complex nature, which includes positive and negative aspects. Lexical units with negative connotations are used to "ground" the image, presenting Japan as a country which has problems that should be corrected. The conclusions and observations on the process of country image formation obtained in the study are of practical significance for teaching such university courses as Cultural Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, and Discourse Analysis. The research will be useful for specialists in the Japanese language, linguistic imagology, and pedagogical linguistics.

BUSINESS TOURISM: A PROSPECTIVE DIRECTION OF TOURIST ACTIVITY

The article examines the sphere of business tourism in Ukraine and the world market. The main indicators of the world market of tourist services and the segment of business tourism as one of its most important components were studied, and an analysis of the dynamics of the development of business tourism was carried out on the example of the leading countries of the world. The actual statistical indicators of business tourism of the countries of the world, indicators of accounting of business trips are analyzed. As a result of the study, changes in the ratings of indicators of the functioning of the sphere of business tourism in some countries were revealed. The places of business tourism in the development of the tourist industry of the countries of the world have been determined. The leading exporters and importers of tourist products are named, and the position of Ukraine in certain segments of the business tourism market is determined. The influence of the activation of the business services sector on the regional development of Ukraine is characterized. The key obstacles to the development of the business tourism business in Ukraine are indicated and the main tasks to overcome them are proposed. It was determined that business tourism, as a large part of the tourism industry in the future, is the basis for the image and economic progressiveness of the entire country. The factors that create obstacles for the development of business tourism in Ukraine, the prospects for the development of the national tourism market have been studied. The strengths and weaknesses facing the business tourism industry of Ukraine at the current stage are considered, and recommendations are given for increasing the competitiveness of the national tourism product. The potential for the development of business tourism in certain regions has been determined. Thus, business tourism is a strategic tool of both the foreign and domestic policy of our country as a whole and a key to the success of the development of regions, because all over the territory of our country there is a diverse business. The classification of business tourism by specific directions, the concept of "business tourism" has been improved. The main groups of participants in the field of business tourism are highlighted and the most dynamic segment of the business travel market is highlighted. The distribution of foreign tourists served by tour operators and travel agents in Ukraine is analyzed.

A research on the effect of the country image on memorable tourism experience in the context of some demographic variables

A research on the effect of the country image on memorable tourism experience in the context of some demographic variables

Film-Induced Effects and Intention to Visit: The Intervening Role of Country Image of South Korea

In the realm of film tourism, film-induced effects have been identified to be integral factors in the formation of intentions of a viewer to visit a destination. Grounded on the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) model, the present study aims to examine how Korean film-induced effects (visual, vocal, and celebrity) influence viewers’ intention to visit South Korea. Furthermore, it investigates the intervening role of country image on the relationship between film-induced effects and intention to visit South Korea. The respondents were Filipino viewers of Korean movies and dramas, and they were selected using the river sampling technique. Using variance-based (partial least squares) path modelling, the results revealed that film-induced effects significantly and positively influence viewers’ intention to visit South Korea, and visual effect largely contributes to the formation of these intentions. Country image was also found to significantly influence intention to visit, and act as a mediator on the link between film-induced visual effect and intention to visit South Korea. The present study addresses the gap in literature as it showed the indirect role of country image on the relationship between film-induced visual effect and intention to visit South Korea.

Review of Issues on Data Security Cybercrimes and Image: The Nigerian Case

The paper seeks to address the lapses in policy formulation and implementations on the issue of database in Nigeria and by extension the rest of developing countries that are confronting with various activities of cyber criminals. Most of these government pay leap service to boosting the image of their countries whereas it is in their sole responsibility to monitor communications and detect abuse on networks due to influence of globalization. Up till now, no dependable data base of citizenry in Nigeria and that makes it difficult to check people activities online which resulting to all security issues that presently deforming the country images. Images are measured by performance of invisible indicators. The study seeks on how Nigeria can improve her image by identifying the impact of information security and effective governance with the immediate application of automation system in the country since country’s reputation plays a major role in attracting investment and boosting the economy, as reputation negatively affected by the increasing number of cybercrime incidents.Data security and cybercrime in Nigeria are significant and need to be addressed as a matter of urgency by taking proactive steps to improve data security, enhance cybercrime enforcement, and protect the country's image, Nigeria can build a more secure and stable digital environment for its citizens. DOI : https://doi.org/10.54663/2182-9306.2023.sn12.25-41

The Cultivation Effect of Architectural Heritage YouTube Videos on Perceived Destination Image

A positive and robust destination image endows a competitive advantage. As architecture appeals to tourists, it may be helpful to improve people’s perceptions of a place’s image. Social media cultivates the destination image. This study focused on the interrelationship of architectural heritage and destination image and aimed to investigate the potential of architectural heritage YouTube videos in communicating and cultivating the destination image of Beijing. It collected and analysed 2237 YouTube videos in French and 25,234 comments related to Beijing’s architectural heritage in tourism. The social networks analysis found that viewers lacked interaction. The sentiment analysis via artificial intelligence findings demonstrate that most video descriptions (94%) and viewers’ comments (91%) had a neutral or complimentary attitude on the buildings’ heritage in Beijing. The keyword in context (KWIC) results found that when people viewed Beijing’s architectural heritage tourism relevant videos and were fascinated by the content, they associated it with China rather than the city where the architectural heritage was located. This indicates a cultivation effect on the destination country image of China. The significance of this study is to provide suggestions to improve a country’s destination image with YouTube via architectural heritage. It also raises the importance and social awareness of architectural heritage conservation and provides insights for policymakers on destination country image building.

The Impact of Country Image on Firms’ Exports: Evidence from China

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of China’s perceived country image on its firms’ exports based on highly disaggregated data from 2002 to 2016. Using a composite indicator that accounts for historical wars as an instrument of country image, we find that the improvement in China’s perceived image significantly increases firms’ exports, and this effect on developing destinations is approximately 3.4 times that on developed destinations. Further analysis shows that exports from foreign-owned and privately owned domestic firms are more sensitive to China’s perceived image. The effect of country image on exports is stronger for neighboring countries and has a greater impact on consumer goods. We identify two channels through which country image affects exports, one by enhancing consumer preferences and the other by reducing trade barriers.

The interplay between country image and regional ethnocentrism to motivate students considering neighbouring countries

The interplay between country image and regional ethnocentrism to motivate students considering neighbouring countries

Can foreign aid improve the donor country's image among a third-party country's public? The case of a world heritage site restoration project

AbstractThis study explores whether and under what conditions foreign aid can help improve the donor country's image in countries that did not receive aid. We identified a world heritage site restoration project, which is visible, localized, has no political strings attached, and deals with global public good, as a most-likely type of foreign aid that can generate this positive effect. In light of the literature suggesting that tensions with the target country undermine public diplomacy effectiveness, we expect the positive effect will be more pronounced in non-recipient countries with which the donor country has a more amicable relationship. To empirically investigate our argument, we field a survey experiment in a developed non-aid-recipient country, Australia. We provide information to the Australian public about an aid project to restore the Angkor Monument in Cambodia conducted either by China or South Korea. We find that information on Korea's aid to Cambodia improves the image of Korea and the willingness to cooperate with the Korean government among Australians. No such effect, however, is observed in the case of similar aid by China whose relations with Australia have been strained in multiple domains. Our findings have policy implications for donor countries seeking to utilize the soft power element of foreign aid as a public diplomacy tool.

The Olympic Games and Judo Diplomacy: An Exploratory Discussion on Country Image in Tokyo 2020

The purpose of the article is to explore the use of judo for nation branding, public diplomacy, and country image in the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Judo was founded in Japan in 1882 as a martial art that embodies educational values of peace, respect, and controlling mind and body. Judo made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 1964 and gradually became one of the most internationally diverse sports in the Olympic Games. The study uses theoretical lenses drawn from nation branding, public diplomacy, country image, and related fields. The qualitative research is based on content analysis of press conferences, media guides, and international coverage of the judo competitions held in July 2021 at the Nippon Budokan. Based on three coding rounds of manual thematic analysis, four themes emerged from the data: (a) the sport and the host, (b) universal values, (c) geopolitics, and (d) the individual and the collective. The study is significant as it expands literature and adds value to practitioners on the role of judo, nation branding, public diplomacy, and country image, during a global pandemic and as the Olympic Movement enters a new era.

Role of consumer ethnocentrism on purchase intention toward foreign products: Evidence from data of Vietnamese consumers with Chinese products

This study aims to determine the influence of consumer ethnocentrism and general country image on Vietnamese consumers' perception of product origin and purchase intention toward Chinese goods. The research model is developed based on consumer ethnocentrism and country image perception theory. Analysis results by structural equation modeling from 448 consumers in three regions (North, Central, South) showed that consumer ethnocentrism harms the country’s image perception and purchase intention of Vietnamese consumers toward Chinese imported products. However, consumer ethnocentrism does not significantly affect the product country image perception. On the contrary, both the general country image and product country image positively impact Vietnamese consumers' intentions to buy Chinese imported goods. Finally, the study also points out some limitations and implications for later studies and marketers dealing with domestic products in Vietnam.