Consumer ethnocentrism and purchasing behavior: moderating effect of demographics

Purpose This study aims to investigate consumer ethnocentrism and determine its impact on actual purchasing behavior in relation to six product categories. It also examines the role of demographic variables as moderators in the relationship between ethnocentric tendencies and purchasing behavior. Design/methodology/approach A total of 467 completed questionnaires were obtained through convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 and AMOS-23 software: SPSS to conduct the exploratory factor analysis and AMOS for the confirmatory factor analysis. Regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of ethnocentrism on purchasing behaviors; the SPSS process was used to test the moderating effects. Findings The consumer ethnocentric tendencies scale was collected in two dimensions: hard ethnocentrism, which influences actual purchasing behavior in five product categories; and soft ethnocentrism, which influences actual purchasing behavior in only two product categories. The results show that the effect of consumer ethnocentrism on purchasing behavior differs across product categories. Further, gender, marital status and personal income moderate this relationship. Originality/value Few studies investigate purchasing behavior across several product categories and the literature on consumer ethnocentrism does not address the impact of demographic variables as moderators in consumer behavior. This study contributes to the existing literature in four ways. First, it was conducted in Azerbaijan, a country with specific characteristics. Second, it examines the impact of ethnocentric tendencies on actual purchasing behavior. Third, it examines purchasing behavior in relation to six different product categories. Fourth, the moderating effect of demographic variables was tested.