What characterizes Chinese consumer behavior? A cross-industry analysis of the Chinese diaspora in Japan

• Published in: Marketing letters 2012-09, Vol.23 (3), p.683-700
• Main Authors: Frank, Björn, Abulaiti, Gulimire, Enkawa, Takao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Behavior; Brand image; Brand loyalty; Business and Management; China; Chinese culture; Collectivism; Consumer behavior; Consumer behaviour; Consumer preferences; Consumer psychology; Consumers; Cost efficiency; Costs; Cultural differences; Customer satisfaction; Diaspora; Economic growth; Globalization; Hypotheses; Hypothesis; Immigration; Industry analysis; Japan; Japanese culture; Marketing; Perception; Profits; Repurchasing; Satisfaction
• ISSN: 0923-0645; 1573-059X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11002-012-9171-8

In order to profit from China's enormous business opportunities, international firms need to know Chinese consumer preferences. To learn more about intrinsic Chinese consumer preferences and their distinction from other Asian consumer preferences, this study analyzes differences in the formation of customer satisfaction, repurchase intent, and word-of-mouth intent between Chinese-born and locally born consumers in Japan. Verifying culture-based hypotheses, cross-industry analyses show that Chinese-born consumers pay less attention to the public brand image and risk-related switching costs, but more attention to quality expectations, perceived value, experienced usefulness, and financial switching costs than Japanese consumers. Marketing strategies should account for these preference structures.