Country of origin effects on brand image, brand evaluation, and purchase intention

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how national stereotype, country of origin (COO), and fashion brand’s images influence consumers’ brand evaluations and purchase intentions regarding fashion collections. Korea (Seoul) and overseas (New York and Paris) collections are compared and analyzed. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct a structural equation modeling and multi-group analysis using data collected from Seoul, New York, and Paris. Findings Consumers make higher brand evaluations and ultimately have stronger purchase intentions toward fashion collections from countries that have stronger COO and fashion brand images. In the context of fashion collections, COO image is greatly influenced by a nation’s political economic and cultural artistic images. In addition, comparing the domestic Seoul fashion collection with New York and Paris collections reveals that a national stereotype images, COO images of fashion collection, and fashion brand’s images cause different brand evaluation and purchase intention. Originality/value The overarching value of the study is that it expands COO research, which has been limited to actual products. Also, the results provide a basic foundation for establishing marketing strategy based on COO image as a way to enhance the development and image of fashion collection.