The concept of psychic distance has gained widespread theoretical recognition as a predictor of export behaviour. However, the empirical validation of the concept remains patchy and contradictory in terms of the results obtained. Consequently, this paper attempts to shed fresh light on the empirical usefulness of the psychic distance concept. First, a wider assessment base is offered through the development of two new US samples. Subsequently, the US findings are compared with previous empirical evidence from Japan, Germany, Finland and Austria. Taken collectively, the results call into question the practical value of the current operationalisation of psychic distance in explaining export behaviour and provide pointers for required conceptual and measurement improvements.

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The aim of this paper is to shed light on consumers’ concurrent ownership of original and counterfeit versions of a brand, a phenomenon that is lively in the global market place but has thus far failed to attract adequate research attention. Using findings from eight focus group discussions, this paper investigates the relationships consumers have with brands and counterfeits when they own both at the same time, based on different object‐, self‐, and other‐centered engagements. Subsequently, three distinct consumer segments were identified that vary in their relationship trajectories over time. Along three established phases, a decline in purchasing of counterfeits can be observed; between Phases 1 and 2, this is due largely to negative emotional aspects, while making the transition to Phase 3 is always induced by a conflict with the social self. In all three segments the gap between the perceived and ideal social self widens, yet, once again, there are differences in the coping strategies.

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Consumer decisions to purchase fakes instead of originals has developed into a major concern for brand manufacturers worldwide. This research looks at the customers' understanding of the key concepts “original brand” and “counterfeit brand.” Using the theory of social representations helped to gain rich insight into the consumers' perception of counterfeit brands in the light of their counterpart original brands, to determine the main differences and similarities, and to identify core aspects and relative evaluations of these two concepts. Taken collectively, the results indicate that, based on single associations, respondents' mental maps of the two concepts do not overlap. It seems that they have a clear picture of what they get with the purchase of original brands versus counterfeits. Although similar attributes to evaluate “original brand” and “counterfeit brand” were used (quality and price), they contribute differently to the nature of the concepts. The benefits of both categories are strongly related to consumers' norms prevalent in their social environment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Many consumers feel overloaded by the complexity of technology-related products. This renders consumers less open to them and may even lead to an aversion or anxiety toward these kind of products: in other words, so-called technophobia.This article aims to establish an instrument that measures technophobia. Following a literature review and in-depth interviews with experts, a scale is developed and tested in seven different countries (