Country-of-origin and choice of food imports: an in-depth study of European distribution channel gatekeepers

Abstract

Country-of-origin preferences of distribution channel gatekeepers when sourcing food imports were investigated using in-depth interviews in five European markets. Channel member perceptions of product-country image related more to specific issues of confidence and trust in integrity of production, certification and regulatory systems than to country image stereotypes. This study integrates these trust-determining factors with price-perceived value constructs in order to build a comprehensive model applicable to food channel gatekeepers. Journal of International Business Studies (2007) 38, 107–125. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400250

Psychic Distance and Country Image in Exporter–Importer Relationships

“…On the other hand, our findings uncover a positive effect of product-related CI on REO with foreign partners (H 2b is supported). This novel result echoes and extends prior research on the role of CI in supplier evaluations (Bradley 2001;Knight, Holdsworth, and Mather 2007;Vinhas da Silva, Davies, and Naudé 2001). Although the hypothesized positive effect of people-related CI on REO is invalidated (H 2a is not supported), this does not mean that people-related CI is of no importance.…”

Food miles: Do UK consumers actually care?

“…Country-of-origin of products and the influence that this has on consumer evaluations of products has been one of the most intensively studied subjects in marketing, with many hundreds of journal articles devoted to it (Al-Sulaiti and Baker, 1998;Heslop and Papadopoulos, 1993;Knight et al, 2007). Much less frequently studied have been the actual influences of country-of-origin on consumer purchasing decisions (Liefeld, 2005), and the extent of influence of this factor on purchasing behaviour of food channel members (Knight et al, 2007).…”

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