RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADVERTISEMENT AND PURCHASE INTENTION ON HALAL COSMETIC PRODUCTS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this paper is to examine the relation between Muslim women customer offense caused due to Islamic advertising of halal cosmetic products in Malaysia. Methodology: The violation of Islamic ethics on the advertisement of halal cosmetic products and purchase intention was examined through a survey that included 110 Muslim women respondents in Malaysia who used cosmetics. The items used for the operationalization of variables were based on the advertising ethics provided by Quran and Sunnah. The current study confirms that irrespective of their religion, women find those advertisements offensive that do not abide by Islamic ethics, which are universal in nature. Based on the correlation results, this study reveals that violation of Islamic advertising ethics (honesty, racism, sexism, intention, and language) has a correlation with purchase intention. A multiple regression analysis was highlighted and it was found that racism, sexism, intention, and language have negative and significant influence on purchase intention. Only one variable did not have a significant influence on purchase intention of halal cosmetic products in Malaysia. Results: Sexism plays the most critical role in influencing consumers’ intention that makes them avoid buying halal cosmetic products. Furthermore, customer offense created due to violation of ethics has a negative impact on the purchase intention of halal cosmetic products. If advertisers want to attract customers in Malaysia and retain them, then they must avoid creating customer offense by following Islamic advertising ethics. Implications: This study will be beneficial to marketers, advertisers, and companies in developing their advertising and marketing strategies for halal cosmetic products. In addition, this study has implemented the study of Islamic advertising ethic violations and purchase intentions of halal cosmetic products.