How consumers in different cultural backgrounds prefer advertising in green ads through Hofstede's cultural lens? A cross‐cultural study

Abstract

AbstractWhen entering foreign markets, effective advertising appeals are usually employed in advertising to convey local consumers how the products and services will satisfy their wants or needs. The purpose of this cross‐cultural study is to investigate the consumers’ differences between a developed economy (USA) and an emerging economy (Thailand) based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions and the advertising appeal in green advertisements. This study investigates the role played by cultural and economic differences on liking advertising appeals in green advertisements which provides new insight into the literature on cross‐cultural studies as well as managerial implications for marketers, especially in Thailand. Using Hofstede's cultural dimensions as a basis for distinguishing cultures, 40 green global advertisements were presented to 40 consumers in Thailand and 40 consumers in the United States. A combination of quantitative and visual content analysis was also used to examine green advertisements and determine the liking of the appeals. Cultural differences in Hofstede's dimensions reflect in advertising appeals preferences. The results indicate that the USA and Thailand preferred similar appeals but in different ranking; these appeals are corporate image, eye‐catching graphic, exaggerated, imaginative, informative, interesting, meaningful, natural, and sad. Possible explanations and implications of the findings are discussed as well as demonstrating the significance of culture on advertisement effectiveness.