The Study of the Understanding and Attitudes of Thai and Singaporean Consumers Towards the Asean Economic Community (Aec)

companies need to have a plan to create demand for their products. Consumer ethnocentrism can be moderated by aggressive marketing tactics. Western companies are trying to get into emerging markets and Russia, a former communist country, is a target for these companies. Consumer ethnocentrism in Russia has been a predominant barrier to success of foreign products in Russia and in Russia some distinguish between domestic products that are described as in-group products and foreign products that are described as out-group products (Puzakova, Kwak, & Andras, 2010). Research shows that the Russians view foreign products of superior quality, but remain ethnocentric in their consumer behavior (Puzakova, Kwak, & Andras, 2010). Using marketing communications the negative attitudes that are present with buying foreign products can be alleviated. The advertising efforts can be used to explore more moderate behavioral consequences of consumer ethnocentrism with initial contact being met with anxiety, but more subsequent positive contacts leading to comfort (Puzakova, Kwak, & Andras, 2010). The U.S. firm attempting to tap the large Russian consumer market needs to have a strategic marketing

According to Slater (1997:26), ‘consumer culture is, in principle, universal and impersonal’. The notion behind this is

and cultural aspects of life as a consumer. The social environment includes the people and

Studies in consumer behavior focus on consumer psychology to determine how people reason, feel and think; and choose between alternative products, brands and sellers (Gummesson, 2012). While consumers purchasing decisions are often influenced by culture, family and environmental factors, consumer knowledge is of great significance in informing decisions and in making actual purchases (Gummesson, 2015). The Consumer

Our country is extremely diverse. We are reminded this every day, especially if we live in metropolitan areas. In Dallas, for instance, it is quite common to be in constant contact with individuals from all corners of the world. Marketers, even in the United States, have to understand how to navigate the different cultural, religious, and social differences when selling products. This challenge is magnified when a marketing team is asked to sell a product abroad. In this type of situation, the social, cultural, and religious challenges are magnified, and what sells well here, might not work near as well in another

In spite of its diversity, marketing strategies can be developed for this group. Many marketers are now becoming multicultural in their marketing activities by trying to appeal to a variety of cultures at the same time. Although the diversity of the Indian melting pot may be unique, there are many important ethnic groups in other areas of the world. Finally, religious beliefs and values can influence consumer.

Consumer ethnocentrism is in the last two decades become one of the research trends, and the results show that high level of ethnocentrism reduces willingness to buy imports. The main concept of consumer ethnocentrism was developed by Shimp 1984. He established that the ethnocentrism is belief that it is moral/immoral to buy foreign products. Sharma, Shimp and Shin in 1994 confirmed consumer tendencies in overvaluation of domestic products. This was start and the begining of accepting a consumer ethnocentrism which is based on the idea that the buying domestic products is not just economic but also moral obligation. Ethnocentric consumer thinks that buyers of foreign products are responsible for economic problems, such as unemployment. On the other hand buyers who are not ethnocentric are buying products with the best price and quality. Domestic firms used this concept in their favour to atract more customers. Consumer ethnocentrism is strongly linked to the appeal of domestic companies and governments to

One of the most outstanding elements that define an ethnicity is their culture. The definition of culture is based on the beliefs, customs, arts and other elements of a particular society, group or place. Therefore, customs, practices, ways of being, rituals, the way of dressing and behavior standards are topics within the culture of a specific society. In many cultures, globalization and consumption are two very identical phenomena. Globalization is undoubtedly a phenomenon of our time, which has great influence in many aspects on which the various contemporary societies develop. Globalization has a great impact on cultures. During my visit to a regular supermarket store and to an international supermarket, the sociological concepts were easily very noticeable. The melting pot at an international market becomes alive with all the different ethnicities. The first difference I noticed was the congestions in the parking lot, when I visited the stores, the parking was packed. At the regular American store, it was very obvious that most of the customers were Caucasians. From the moment one enters the stores, the differences and similarities are very obvious; in this case, I felt the differences were more obvious. The neighborhoods where these supermarkets are located are very different as well. I would say that most people living in the surroundings of the regular mainstream grocery store are Caucasians or African Americans, and most people living near the international store

The interviewees should complete the questionnaire which contains twelve questions with five scores which means the different degree of agreement. Among the questions, the three culture background related questions are used to judge the recognition degree of Chinese traditional culture and Chinese catering culture of consumers; the three consumer consumption characters questions are used to identify the main consuming model of consumers; while the six consumer behavior statement questions are to describe the principal characters of consumers’ behavior. The questions describing the consumer behavior characters are designed based on the “AIO” (Activities/ Interests/ Opinion) life style research, by Shrum and Lowrey. is mainly concerns the statement related with understanding consumers’ purchasing behavior (such as, the extent of regarding opinion leader, characters of consumption behavior, price sensitivity and the financial hesitation when purchasing and the loyalty of brand interest). In the questionnaire, an efficient evaluation system—Likertscales (Sarantakos,S, 2005:250) is adopted, measuring every question by using 5 scores. And the distribution of cultural dimension related questions in questionnaire as table 2 listed:

Nowadays under the trend of globalization, like every other aspect in marketing changed in our life, more and more products are added some cross-culture mixing elements. For example, more Chinese movie have western actors and more Hollywood film conclude traditional Chinese like Panda or feature spots (C. Samuel Craig& William H. Greene& Susan P. Douglas, 2005). To promote customer satisfaction, we need to find out how do customers accept and appreciate these cultural mixing goods or service? And what factors impact on the receptiveness towards them?

After looking back at all the presentations done in the tutorials of International Marketing, I picked up a few topics to reflect in this essay. The first presentation was regarding consumer affinity and covers three parts, which is the definition of consumer affinity, group of consumers that may have consumer affinity towards buying products made in foreign country and the causes of consumer affinity. The presenter explained that people who develop affinity towards a foreign country might do so because they identify with the country’s culture, they find it attractive, or they find that their identification with the country contributes to their social identity (Wongtada, Rice & Bandyopadhyay 2012). The presenter then explained the possible

The ASEAN agreement to implement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 is a rational approach in order to be the largest economic development in the developing world (Asian Development Bank (ADB) 2010; Austria 2012). However, it seems likely to have both beneficial and negative aspects. Although a GDP per capita of Thailand is in the fourth rank among ASEAN countries, competitiveness of its workforce may be insufficient to compete with others (Deutsche Bank 2013; Chongphaisal 2011).

APEC will ensure that goods, services, capital and people move easily across borders. Duties of 21 APEC members to facilitating faster border clearance procedures in the industry ; and adjustment of regulations and standards across the region ; border behind a more favorable business environment.

AEC is the term used of ASEAN Economic Community which is the community of countries in Southeast Asia that planned to create one big market. This critical review examines a final project with title “A roadmap for the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) based on the EU model: Potential scenarios for Vietnam after the AEC’s establishment”, that was written by Hieu Linh, a Bachelor graduated IPU Vietnamese student. The title indicates that the author examined the possible scenario of Vietnam position after the establishment of AEC.

The purpose of this report is to analyze opportunity and challenges for the association of Southeast Asia Nation (ASEAN) to promote trade and economic integration in the region.