The cosmetic industry is a highly lucrative market in South Africa. Individuals of the Generation Y cohort represent an essential current and future market segment for various industries, including the beauty product industry. The purpose of this study is to determine the direct and indirect effects of variety seeking and status consumption on attitudes through beauty product innovativeness among female Generation Y students. This study used a self-administered questionnaire. The sample includes female Generation Y students at a traditional university, a comprehensive university, and a university of technology in the Gauteng province. The study yielded 610 adequate responses. The data were analyzed using principal component factor analysis, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, and path analysis with mediation tests. The study presents a four-factor model: status consumption, variety seeking, beauty product innovativeness, and consumer attitude. Status consumption statistically, significantly, and positively affect beauty product innovativeness (β = 0.350, p = 0.000 < 0.01) and consumer attitude (β = 0.107, p = 0.053 < 0.01). Variety seeking has a statistically significant and positive influence on beauty product innovativeness (β = 0.276, p = 0.000 < 0.01) but an insignificant on consumer attitude (β = 0.043, p = 0.459 > 0.01). Lastly, beauty product innovativeness was a statistically significant predictor of attitude (β = 0.286, p = 0.000 < 0.01). These results suggest that beauty product innovativeness mediates the relationship between variety-seeking and consumer attitudes of the Generation Y cohort toward beauty products.
Objective - In an increasingly changing and dynamic South African higher education landscape, institutions must communicate their brand to stakeholders to perceive the institution as offering quality services,to have a loyal stakeholder. However, thereseemsto be little attention devoted to the influence of brand communication, brand satisfaction and service quality on brand loyalty in higher education, particularly in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector. Considering this view, and noting that prior research on brand loyalty in the service sector has shown a connection between brand communication, service quality, brand satisfaction and brand loyalty, it is unknown if a similar correlation is found in the South African TVET sector. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate Generation Y students' views of brand communication, brand satisfaction and service quality in the TVET sector throughout the Gauteng Province of South Africa.As a result, this paper summarises the findings of a pilot study to establish the validity and reliability of a questionnaire used to examine Generation Y students' perceptions of brand communication, brand satisfaction and service quality related to brand loyalty in Gauteng TVET colleges. Methodology/Technique - The variables for the paper were derived from previously established questionnaires. A section of the questionnaire asked students about their views of a TVET's brand communication. Additionally, there were questions concerning the quality of service, brand selection and brand loyalty. Finally, all scale items were modified to be more contextually relevant.The questionnaire used a six-point Likert scale, with 1 indicating strong disagreement and 6 indicating strong agreement. The questionnaire was piloted with a convenience sample of 50 students not included in the primary study's sampling frame. Finding - The overall number of respondents (46) was insufficient to undertake extensive statistical testing. As a result, only frequency and correlation coefficients were computed. Correlation analysis revealed a substantial association between brand loyalty and the variables that influence it. All had a strong association between brand loyalty and brand communication, service quality and brand loyalty and satisfaction. Additionally, there were substantial correlationsbetween service quality and brand satisfaction and between service quality and brand communication. Correlation coefficients between constructs ranged from 0.294 to 0.781. This demonstrates that these constructs do not correspond to the same concept. As a result, all construct items were kept for use in the main study. Novelty - The results from the pilot study provides preliminary support for the hypothesised relationship between brand loyalty and its predictors. Marketers and service organisations need to recognise that the future patronage of a service organisation depends on loyalty. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Brand Communication; Service Quality; Brand Satisfaction; Brand Loyalty; Technical and Vocational Training JEL Classification: M31, I23, I29
The modern consumer is inundated with various hazardous issues, especially concerning the environment. The increased environmental awareness has altered the way consumers think about their food purchases. Consequently, organic food products are receiving a lot more attention and consumers are opting to consume organic products over their traditional counterparts. This organic consumption change may be attributed to factors, such as environmental issues, health concerns, future preservation and natural taste. Often these organic food choices are linked to consumers that seek to change their lifestyles to be more environmentally conscious or loyal to pro-environmental causes. An organic food product has been defined in a multitude of facets, however, each definition generally retains the same core basis. In general, these products have been produced in a sustainable manner and are free from harmful agents, such as pesticides, mineral fertilisers, artificial colorants and any other harmful chemical agent. As South Africa is an emerging country in retrospect of organic food and environmentalism as a whole, South African consumers are demanding more organic products and safer sustainable business practices than ever before. The environmental movement is on the rise and businesses need to comply with this new demand should they wish to stay relevant in the ever-changing consumer market. Organic product prices are perceived as being more expensive than traditional products, this directly effects the purchase decision of a product. Increasing demand should result in decreasing prices over time, encouraging more organic product purchases. Other factors may also affect the purchase decision of organic products and these may include health consciousness, convenience, attitudes and overall purchase behaviour. This raises the question of what factors influence the South African Generation Y consumer to purchase organic products. Keywords: Organic food, Health consciousness, environmentalism, Generation Y.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.