How xenocentrism shapes online consumer behavior: psychographic drivers of foreign brand preference
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5902/1983465990907Keywords:
Consumer behavior, E-commerce, Xenocentrism, Status consumption, Country-of-origin imageAbstract
Purpose: Xenocentrism, the tendency to prefer foreign brands over domestic ones, is prevalent in emerging markets such as Brazil and China. However, few studies have examined its determinants and impact on e-commerce. This study investigates the influence of xenocentrism on online purchase intentions, analyzing how product quality perception, country-of-origin image, purchasing power, status consumption, and social mobility aspirations shape this behavior.
Design/methodology: A survey of 311 e-commerce consumers was conducted, and linear regression analysis was carried out.
Findings: The analysis confirmed that higher xenocentrism is associated with greater purchase intentions for foreign brands. Psychographic characteristics such as status consumption, perceived inferiority, and brand image significantly contribute to this phenomenon.
Research implications: The findings expand the literature on digital consumer behavior, providing strategic insights for global brands and e-commerce platforms.
Originality/value: The study highlights the importance of brand positioning, global identity construction, and leveraging psychographic attributes to attract xenocentric consumers.
Downloads
References
Areiza-Padilla, J. A., Cervera-Taulet, A., & Puertas, M. A. M. (2020). Ethnocentrism at the coffee shop industry: A study of starbucks in developing countries. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 6(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc6040164 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc6040164
Balabanis, G., & Diamantopoulos, A. (2016a). Consumer Xenocentrism as Determinant of Foreign Product Preference: A System Justification Perspective. Journal of International Marketing, 24(3), 58–77. https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.15.0138
Balabanis, G., & Diamantopoulos, A. (2016b). Consumer Xenocentrism as Determinant of Foreign Product Preference: A System Justification Perspective. Journal of International Marketing, 24(3), 58–77. https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.15.0138 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.15.0138
Bastrygina, T., Lim, W. M., Jopp, R., & Weissmann, M. A. (2024). Unraveling the power of social media influencers: Qualitative insights into the role of Instagram influencers in the hospitality and tourism industry. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 58(January), 214–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.01.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2024.01.007
Bethlehem, J. (2010). Selection bias in web surveys. International Statistical Review, 78(2), 161–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-5823.2010.00112.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-5823.2010.00112.x
Bizarrias, F. S., Cucato, J. da S. T., Strehlau, V. I., Silva, D., Strehlau, S., & Lopes, E. L. (2024). Social Capital, self, and xenocentrism interactions toward global brand preference bias in Brazil. Administração de Empresas Em Revista Unicuritiba, 2(35), 189–204.
Caliskan, F., Idug, Y., Uvet, H., Gligor, N., & Kayaalp, A. (2024). Social comparison theory: A review and future directions. Psychology and Marketing, January, 2823–2840. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.22087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.22087
Camacho, L. J., Salazar-Concha, C., & Ramírez-Correa, P. (2020). The influence of xenocentrism on purchase intentions of the consumer: The mediating role of product attitudes. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041647 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041647
Cleveland, M., & McCutcheon, G. (2022). ‘Antiglobalscapes’: A cross-national investigation of the nature and precursors of consumers’ apprehensions towards globalization. Journal of Business Research, 138(September 2021), 170–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.09.011
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2 edition). Lawrence Erlabaum Associates.
Diamantopoulos, A., Davydova, O., & Arslanagic-Kalajdzic, M. (2019). Modeling the role of consumer xenocentrism in impacting preferences for domestic and foreign brands: A mediation analysis. Journal of Business Research, 104(November 2018), 587–596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.12.007
Diamantopoulos, A., Matarazzo, M., Mrad, M., & Maack, M. (2024). EXPRESS: Consumer Xenocentrism and Well-Being: Conspicuous Consumption Orientation, Brand Addiction, and Self-Esteem. Journal of International Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031x241264992
Diamantopoulos, A., Matarazzo, M., Mrad, M., & Maack, M. (2025). Consumer Xenocentrism and Well-Being: Conspicuous Consumption Orientation, Brand Addiction, and Self-Esteem. Journal of International Marketing, 33(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X241264992 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1069031X241264992
Durço, B. B., Pimentel, T. C., Pagani, M. M., Cruz, A. G., Duarte, M. C. K. H., & Esmerino, E. A. (2021). Influence of different levels of ethnocentrism of the Brazilian consumer on the choice of dulce de leche from different countries of origin. Food Research International, 148(March). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110624 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110624
Eroglu, H., Sevim, N., Najmaldın, G., & Karamasa, C. (2025). Investigating the effect of consumer xenocentrism on purchase intention for foreign products. Strategic Management, 30(2), 22–32. https://doi.org/10.5937/straman2400005h DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/StraMan2400005H
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/001872675400700202
García Canclini, N. (2010). Consumidores e cidadãos : conflitos multiculturais da globalização (8th ed.). Editora UFRJ.
Gaur, S. S., Bathula, H., & Diaz, C. V. (2015). Conceptualising the influence of the cultural orientation of latin americans on consumers’ choice of US brands. European Business Review, 27(5), 477–494. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-03-2013-0061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-03-2013-0061
Gidakovic, P., Szocs, I., Diamantopoulos, A., Florack, A., Egger, M., & Žabkar, V. (2022). The Interplay of Brand, Brand Origin and Brand User Stereotypes in Forming Value Perceptions. British Journal OfManagement, 33, 1924–1949. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12552
Hahn, I. S., Scherer, F. L., & Lebioda, L. (2019). Status consumption: Does it matter for Brazilian young adults? Revista de Administração FACES Journal, 18(2), 101–113. https://doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975faces2019v18n2art6154 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21714/1984-6975FACES2019V18N2ART6154
He, J., & Wang, C. L. (2015). Cultural identity and consumer ethnocentrism impacts on preference and purchase of domestic versus import brands: An empirical study in China. Journal of Business Research, 68(6), 1225–1233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.11.017 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2014.11.017
Kim, W. Bin, Kim, C., Go, I., Fukuda, R., & Imai, M. (2024). Actions are more than just words: Relationships between word-of-mouth, personal interaction, and product attachment. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 81(April). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.103994 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2024.103994
Liang, X., Qi, C., Zhang, C., & Li, Y. (2024). Psychological ownership and users’ continuous usage of domestic vs. foreign mobile payment apps: A comparison between China and the U.S. Journal of Business Research, 174(April 2022), 114517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114517
Lohan, A., Ganguly, A., & Kumar, C. (2020). “What’S Foreign Is Better”: a Fuzzy Ahp Analysis To Evaluate Factors That Influence Foreign Product Choice Among Indian Consumers. International Journal of the Analytic Hierarchy Process, 12(3), 460–487. https://doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v12i3.743 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v12i3.743
Ma, J., Yang, J., & Yoo, B. (2020). The moderating role of personal cultural values on consumer ethnocentrism in developing countries: The case of Brazil and Russia. Journal of Business Research, 108(September 2019), 375–389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.12.031 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.12.031
MacKenzie, S. B., Lutz, R. J., & Belch, G. E. (1986). The Role of Attitude toward the Ad as a Mediator of Advertising Effectiveness: A Test of Competing Explanations. Journal of Marketing Research, 23(2), 130–143. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378602300205 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378602300205
Magnusson, P., Westjohn, S. A., & Zdravkovic, S. (2011). “What? I thought Samsung was Japanese”: Accurate or not, perceived country of
origin matters. International Marketing Review, 28(5), 454–472. https://doi.org/10.1108/02651331111167589 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02651331111167589
Miguel, L. P., Marques, S. H., & Duarte, A. P. (2023). Characterising the fruit and vegetables consumer ethnocentrism in a southern European Country: An assessment of the reliability and validity of the “CETSCALE” in Portugal. Food Quality and Preference, 105(December 2022), 104770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104770 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104770
Mishra, S., Shukla, Y., Malhotra, G., & Arora, V. (2023). Investigating the impact of consumers’ patriotism and ethnocentrism on purchase intention: Moderating role of consumer guilt and animosity. International Business Review, 32(4), 102076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102076 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2022.102076
Mueller, R. D., Wang, G. X., Liu, G., & Cui, C. C. (2016). Consumer xenocentrism in China: an exploratory study. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 28(1), 73–91. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-11-2014-0158 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-11-2014-0158
Narang, R. (2016a). Understanding purchase intention towards Chinese products: Role of ethnocentrism, animosity, status and self-esteem. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 32, 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.05.010
Narang, R. (2016b). Understanding purchase intention towards Chinese products: Role of ethnocentrism, animosity, status and self-esteem. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 32, 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.05.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.05.010
Nguyen, N. H., Kien Dao, T., Duong, T. T., Nguyen, T. T., Nguyen, V. K., & Dao, T. L. (2023). Role of consumer ethnocentrism on purchase intention toward foreign products: Evidence from data of Vietnamese consumers with Chinese products. Heliyon, 9(2), e13069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13069 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13069
Nunes, J. C., Drèze, X., & Han, Y. J. (2011). Conspicuous consumption in a recession: Toning it down or turning it up? Journal of Consumer Psychology, 21(2), 199–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2010.11.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcps.2010.11.002
Ortiz, Renato. (1994). Mundialização e cultura. Editora Brasiliense.
Perez, C. (2024). Significados do consumo no Brasil: da identidade aos afetos. Revista USP, 143, 115–130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2316-9036.i143p111-126
Rašković, M., Ding, Z., Hirose, M., Žabkar, V., & Fam, K. S. (2020). Segmenting young-adult consumers in East Asia and Central and Eastern Europe – The role of consumer ethnocentrism and decision-making styles. Journal of Business Research, 108(April 2019), 496–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.04.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.04.013
Rojas-Méndez, J. I., & Chapa, S. (2020). X-Scale: a new scale to measure consumer xenocentrism. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 38(3), 354–368. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-01-2019-0062 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-01-2019-0062
Saint Clair, J. K. (2023). Consumer Identity: A Comprehensive Review and Integration of Contemporary Research. In The Cambridge Handbook of Consumer Psychology (Issue September). https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009243957.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009243957.009
Salomão, M. T., Moraes, S. G., Da Rocha, M. B. P., & Strehlau, V. I. (2020). Consumer dispositions in multicultural contexts: A framework proposition. Revista Brasileira de Marketing, 19(3), 683–704. https://doi.org/10.5585/REMARK.V19I3.15410 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5585/remark.v19i3.15410
Santino Bizarrias, F., Cucato, J. da S. T., Strehlau, V. I., Silva, D., Strehlau, S., & Lopes, E. L. (2024). Social Capital, Self, and Xenocentrism interations towardglobal brand preference bias in Brazil. Administração de Empresas Em Revista Unicuritiba, 2(35), 189–204.
Sinclair, J., & Pertierra, A. C. (2012). Understanding consumer culture in Latin America: An introduction. In Consumer Culture in Latin America (pp. 1–13). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137116864_1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137116864_1
Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (2004). The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior. In Political Psychology. Psychology Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203505984-16
Veblen, T. (2009). The Theory of the Leisure Class. In Elgar Encyclopedia of Post-Keynesian Economics (pp. 410–412). https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788973939.the.theory.leisure DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788973939.the.theory.leisure
Venugopal, V., Mata, M. N., Iloka, C. B., Dantas, R. D., Batista, A., Rita, J. X., & Martins, J. M. (2022). Xenocentrism and Consumer Buying Behavior: A Comparative Analysis of Malaysian vs. Nigerian Consumers. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15020058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15020058
Wood, J. V. (1989). Theory and Research Concerning Social Comparisons of Personal Attributes. Psychological Bulletin, 106(2), 231–248. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.106.2.231 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.106.2.231
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivanete Schneider Hahn, Thais Cofferi Polawski, Mariléia Batista Fertig

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Until 2023, copyright was transferred by the authors to ReA/UFSM. As of 2024, the authors of articles published by the journal retain the copyright to their work. ReA/UFSM operates under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted reuse and distribution of articles, provided the original work is properly cited.

