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This study examines the effects of brand names in a foreign language, country of origin, and the incongruence between the two on brand perceptions of services. Employing congruity and categorisation theory as a theoretical foundation, this study empirically tests a number of hypotheses. The findings suggest that services with a French brand name are perceived as more hedonic. In the context of hedonic services, the incongruence between brand names in a foreign language and country of origin leads to increased perceptions of services as more hedonic. In the context of utilitarian services, the same incongruence leads to higher perceived suitability and preference for brand names in a foreign language. The paper concludes with research and managerial implications for brand managers and further research directions.

This study investigates consumer preferences for domestic products in an emerging economy market. We argue that consumer preferences are contingent on the level of consumer ethnocentrism, preferences for different product categories from specific country clusters and those of importers, and consumers' previous experience with products. The findings suggest that there are significant variations in consumer evaluations of products across specific product categories, country-of-origin, and other multicues. We also find a significant influence of consumer ethnocentrism on preferences for different product categories from specific country clusters when controlling for background variables. Implications for theory and practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Companies which offer innovative solutions to aid the achievement of sustainable consumption behavior of individuals in home environment gain a competitive advantage. The study aims to uncover the relationship between the engagement in sustainable consumption and sustainable consumption behavior of individuals at home and in the workplace environments enabling companies to provide innovative solutions to advance sustainability management. This research holds that sustainable consumption behavior is a process and the focus of this study is use behavior. An online survey was employed to collect data from 407 respondents in the United Kingdom. Consumers working in both private and public sectors were surveyed. Data analysis suggests that one dimension of engagement in sustainable consumption, namely, Enthusiasm and Attention, mostly influences sustainable consumption behavior at home and in the workplace. Further, females feature higher sustainable consumption behavior at home and in the workplace most of the time in comparison to males. Also, there are age differences apropos sustainable consumption behavior at home and in the workplace. Social Learning Theory and Collaborative Consumption Theory are used to raise hypotheses and explain findings. The findings lead to practical implications for companies regarding engagement and sustainable consumption behavior in both environments in terms of incentives, green product and service innovation that may be offered to individuals to enhance sustainability.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of channel performance in a multi‐level marketing (MLM) channel.Design/methodology/approachPersonal interviews with 105 distributors from network marketing companies operating in Lithuania, provided data for this study. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation model (LISREL).FindingsThe findings suggest that trust, locus of control and shared values are moderated by channel commitment of the downstream channel members.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is limited to one country under investigation, therefore further research needs to be extended to other economies. Researchers might also identify additional variables affecting channel performance as well as undertake a longitudinal approach of the focal areas of commitment and channel performance.Practical implicationsThis study is of managerial interest, as the framework suggested in this study may be applied by MLM firms to monitor their networks and evaluate multi‐level channel performance.Originality/valueMLM channels offer a unique alternative and underutilized distribution channel for many companies, yet limited theoretical research has been accomplished in this arena. MLM channels are very interpersonal by their very nature and thus we extend the relationship marketing paradigm to MLM. In addition, transitional economies tend to have less developed marketing channels, and therefore are prime targets for MLM. Thus, this research specifically examines MLM in a transitioning economy.