Friday, February 26, 2010

Why we boycott - Klein, Smith, John, 2004

Klein, J. G., Smith N. C. & John, A. 2004 .Why we boycott: consumer motivations for boycott participation. Journal of Marketing. Vol. 68 (July): 92-109.

Key issue: motivations to boycott - a cost and benefit approach derived from the literature about helping.

Boycott is framed as a form of political consumption. A trend is identified in the history of boycotts: from broader socio-political goals such as civil rights to focus on corporate practice.
A decision-making model about boycotts is derived from helping literature. A trigger event (perceived egregious corporate behavior) gives a negative arousal. Then, a cost and benefit analysis of the consequences of engaging in the boycott is carried out by the consumer.
The factors predicting boycott participation are:
  • desire to make a difference
  • scope for self-enhancement
  • counterarguments that inhibit boycotting
  • cost to the boycotter of constrained consumption.
Boycotts are found to hurt brand image.

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