The country of origin effect and the role of moral emotions

The aim of the research is to analyze the role of three specific moral emotions (gratitude, disgust, and contempt) in explaining the country of origin (CO) effect on consumer buying behavior. The methodological approach involves the use of an experimental design. We follow the procedures suggested by Muller and colleagues (2005) in order to examine the role of moral emotions. The results show that gratitude, disgust, and contempt mediate the relationship between CO information – considering country of design (CD) and country of manufacture (CM) elements – and consumer buying behaviors. In addition, the results prove the moderating effect of consumer ethnocentrism

The role of social identification and hedonism in affecting tourist re-patronizing behaviours: The case of an Italian festival

Since the 1990s Europe and other continents have been organising a significantly larger number of festivals with the objective of stimulating tourism and exploiting potential economic opportunities. The prominence of these events has led to intense competition between festivals in attracting visitors and it has become important to analyse factors which might influence attendees’ retention. Drawing on existing literature on retail and service sectors, this study aims to identify the role played by emotions, hedonism, satisfaction, and social identification in mediating the effects of environmental factors on attendees’ re-patronizing intention. This study includes an on-site survey of 449 visitors attending an Italian festival gaining in popularity, and analyses data using a structural equations model. Results suggest that hedonism and social identification are key-facilitators between environmental cues and attendees’ re-patronizing intention

How companies' good deeds encourage consumers to adopt pro-social behavior

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the effects of company CSR initiatives on two consumers\u2019 pro-social behaviors closely related to the social cause promoted by the company, such as consumers donating money and volunteering time. In addition, the role of moral elevation as a mediating variable in such relationships is tested. Design/methodology/approach: After an exploratory study, we tested the role of moral elevation as a mediator that facilitates the effects of company CSR activities in social domains on two specific types of pro-social behavior displayed by consumers: donating money and volunteering time for the same cause sponsored by the company. We conducted two quantitative studies to test our hypotheses. In Study 1, we considered the two pro-social behaviors as intentions; in Study 2, we analyzed them as actual behaviors. In both studies, we conducted controlled experiments administered in the field. By using experimental and control conditions, we were able to manipulate corporate responsible actions in social contexts and a mediational analysis was conducted. Findings: Our results show that moral elevation mediates the positive relationship between the (1) CSR activity and consumer intention to donate (actual consumer donating behavior) to social causes and the (2) CSR activity and volunteering intention (actual volunteering behavior). Originality/value: This paper contributes to furthering CSR theory by showing the positive effects of company CSR initiatives on two pro-social \u201csecondary\u201d outcomes and the mediating role played by moral elevation. Important implications for the role of CSR are derived for companies and society in general

Does counterfeiting affect luxury customer-based brand equity?

In recent years, there has been an important debate on the harmful effectof counterfeits on luxury brands. Marketing literature states that fake luxury productsnegatively affect consumers \u2019 perception of the genuine brand. Contrarily, somestudies have reported that fake alternatives do not necessary lower genuine brandproduct evaluations, providing some interesting evidence on single theoreticalconstructs referring to attitudes, perceptions or behaviors. The aim of this study isto deepen the investigation into this phenomenon and try to shed some light on theeffects of counterfeit awareness on genuine brand users \u2019 and on potential users \u2019customer-based brand equity (CBBE). Results show that counterfeits have nonegative effect on consumers \u2019 perception of the luxury brand. Moreover, a positiveshift on the six blocks of CBBE pyramid is observed in consumers who are aware ofthe existence of a fake alternative. The innovative nature of these fi ndings is supportedby a detailed data analysis and the managerial implication discussion

My anger is your gain, my contempt your loss: Explaining consumer responses to corporate wrongdoing

Two forms of consumer response to corporate wrongdoing are constructive punitive actions (i.e., those designed to induce firms to change their behavior but with the hope of sustaining relationships with consumers) and destructive punitive actions (i.e., those intended to discredit or harm firms, ultimately leading to disengagement from firms). This study investigates the conditions under which one or the other actions are taken and shows that anger regulates the former, whereas contempt governs the latter. Hypotheses are tested in two studies: a laboratory experiment and a naturalistic field study with an actual instance of recent corporate malfeasance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed

Consumer Response to Corporate Irresponsible Behavior: Moral Emotions and Virtues

A unique theoretical framework for explaining consumer word of mouth and protest behaviors against corporate irresponsibility is developed and tested. Through field surveys with adult consumers, this study demonstrates how consumers\u2019 negative moral emotional responses to corporate infractions instigate, in combination with other-regarding virtues, negative word of mouth and protest toward the corporation. Negative moral emotions include contempt, anger, and disgust; whereas other-regarding virtues entail justice, beneficence, and communal cooperation. The results provide scholars and managers with means of improving their understanding and handling of consumers\u2019 reactions to corporate irresponsibility

Consumption practices of counterfeit luxury goods in the Italian context

Counterfeiting is an expanding and increasingly relevant phenomenon in contemporary markets that has a particular impact on luxury branded goods. Most academic literature to date has focused its attention on the determinants of purchase, underestimating the consumption phase. This paper aims to fi ll this gap by investigating how people consume counterfeit luxury products. Our results help us to better understand the phenomenon as a whole, with the objective of providing useful insights for the companies that produce luxury goods, and assisting them in realising effective policies for stemming counterfeiting

Europe and the Contested Politics of Migration: Between Logistification and Global Justice

This paper analyses European approaches to migration. It does so with a focus on the struggles and claims advanced by migrants themselves and other subjects as an angle from which to discern the clash between a narrow, operational, understanding of what is just in the field of migration and different ways to instead understand justice as a political and dynamic principle. The paper discusses the conceptions of justice employed in the Globus project – justice as non-domination, as impartiality and as mutual recognition – and argues for an expanded conception of justice as mutual recognition as a way to bring the discussion beyond both the Westphalian and cosmopolitan perspectives. It then discusses different forms of contestation of European migration policies, by examining different ways in which they are contested both in practice and in principle by different actors, including migrants and movements of solidarity. Lastly, the paper discusses the emerging approaches to migration within the EU through the concept of logistification, arguing that this leads to a form of ‘ethical minimalism’ that limits the reach of global justice as a political concept. The paper ends by arguing for the need to develop discussions about the global leading towards wider conceptions of justice where migration is considered in all its dimensions as a powerful transformative force, and not simply as an object of governance, and migrants themselves are considered as political subjects which constantly keep the quest for justice open beyond any reductionist approach

Bordering power Europe? The mobility-bordering nexus in and by the European Union

The EU has been built on the idea that enhanced transnational relations and free movement of persons between Member States have a positive impact on international cooperation and security. However, what we have witnessed in the past decade is a growing pressure to limit mobility, reinvigorated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Calls for a strengthened Schengen area go together with the externalization of European borders and the involvement of third states, but also with the reintroduction of border functions between Member States. Inside the EU free movement has been reduced if not stopped for fear of terrorism, irregular migration or the spread of viruses. Meanwhile, new techniques to govern mobility have emerged, affecting the role and meaning of borders. This article focuses on three dynamics of this process that entail a transformation of sovereignty, territoriality and rights: the externalization of borders, internal rebordering and logistification. The article argues that by focusing on what borders do rather than discussing what borders are, we can observe a more comprehensive transformation of borders within, around and outside the EU, a transformation that goes beyond the Westphalian imaginary and the simplistic alternative between hard and soft borders

Transforming waste into wellness: Enhancing well-being through domestic food upcycling

This research focuses on a specific technique aimed at reducing household food waste: food upcycling, or the practice of creatively preparing new dishes (e.g., French toast) using leftovers (e.g., stale bread). We posit that engaging in domestic food upcycling activities not only helps reduce food waste but also enhances consumers’ psychological well-being. We conducted three studies: a qualitative study (N = 92) aimed at providing initial insights into the association between domestic food upcycling and psychological well-being; a survey (N = 100) aimed at identifying the most prominent barriers to domestic food upcycling; and an experimental study (N = 272) aimed at assessing educational interventions designed to overcome the most prominent barriers identified in Study 2 and promote domestic food upcycling via perceptions of improved well-being. The results have important implications for both policymakers and the food industr