Share:


Youths’ word-of-mouth in a developing country: roles of green promotion and green brand loyalty

    Thanh Hai Phan Affiliation
    ; Ngoc Diep Nguyen Affiliation
    ; Hai Giang Ha Affiliation
    ; Mai Trang Le Affiliation
    ; Phuong Anh Vu Affiliation
    ; Hai Anh Doan Affiliation

Abstract

Purpose – This paper investigates the mediating role of green brand loyalty between green brand image and word-of-mouth (WoM) and the moderating role of green promotion and brand social responsibility among Vietnamese youth.


Research methodology – Using an online questionnaire from 1st October 2022 to 31st December 2022, 740 valid responses were collected.


Findings – The study reveals that green brand loyalty mediates the relationship between brand trust and WoM. Additionally, green promotion significantly moderates the relationship between brand trust and green brand loyalty. The study concludes that green promotion is vital in influencing consumers’ trust in the brand, subsequently increasing their loyalty.


Research limitations – This study has not categorized the groups of environmentally friendly products used by young Vietnamese to see if there is a difference.


Practical implications – These results provide significant implications for brand managers to enhance the effectiveness of WoM.


Originality/Value – Green promotion is an effective strategy for brands to regain consumers’ loyalty and maintain a close relationship between consumers and green brands. Additionally, green brand loyalty emphasizes the significance of green promotion for developing green companies and can serve as a conduit between customers and brands.

Keyword : sustainable development, green attitude, green brand loyalty, green consumption, green marketing

How to Cite
Phan, T. H., Nguyen, N. D., Ha, H. G., Le, M. T., Vu, P. A., & Doan, H. A. (2024). Youths’ word-of-mouth in a developing country: roles of green promotion and green brand loyalty. Business, Management and Economics Engineering, 22(1), 112–137. https://doi.org/10.3846/bmee.2024.19873
Published in Issue
May 24, 2024
Abstract Views
598
PDF Downloads
487
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Ahn, J., & Back, K.-J. (2018). Influence of brand relationship on customer attitude toward integrated resort brands: A cognitive, affective, and conative perspective. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 35(4), 449–460. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2017.1358239

Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhl & J. Beckmann (Eds.), Action control: From cognition to behavior (pp. 11–39). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69746-3_2

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Ajzen, I. (2005). Attitudes, personality and behaviour (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1980). Understanding attitudes and predicting social behavior. Prentice-Hall.

Alexandris, K., Tsiotsou, R. H., & James, J. D. (2012). Testing a hierarchy of effects model of sponsorship effectiveness. Journal of Sport Management, 26(5), 363–378. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.26.5.363

Allsop, D. T., Bassett, B. R., & Hoskins, J. A. (2007). Word-of-mouth research: Principles and applications. Journal of Advertising Research, 47(4), 398–411. https://doi.org/10.2501/S0021849907070419

Amoako, G. K., Doe, J. K., & Dzogbenuku, R. K. (2021). Perceived firm ethicality and brand loyalty: The mediating role of corporate social responsibility and perceived green marketing. Society and Business Review, 16(3), 398–419. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-05-2020-0076

Anh, N. H. Q., & Tri, D. M. (2022). Influence of music congruity and celebrity image in music video marketing on Vietnamese consumers’ brand-related outcomes. Ho Chi Minh City Open University Journal of Science-Social Sciences, 12(1), 79–95. https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.12.1.2336.2022

Aravindan, K. L., Ramayah, T., Thavanethen, M., Raman, M., Ilhavenil, N., Annamalah, S., & Choong, Y. V. (2023). Modeling positive electronic word of mouth and purchase intention using theory of consumption value. Sustainability, 15(4), Article 3009. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043009

Baniya, R., An, Y., & Thapa, B. (2023). Green hotel selection: The effects of social learning and eco-labels. Tourism Review, 78(1), 245–259. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2022-0178

Barry, T. E. (1987). The development of the hierarchy of effects: An historical perspective. Current Issues and Research in Advertising, 10(1–2), 251–295. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01633392.1987.10504921

Bashir, S., Khwaja, M. G., Rashid, Y., Turi, J. A., & Waheed, T. (2020). Green brand benefits and brand outcomes: The mediating role of green brand image. Sage Open, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020953156

Bosnjak, M., Ajzen, I., & Schmidt, P. (2020). The theory of planned behavior: Selected recent advances and applications. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 16(3), 352–356. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v16i3.3107

Carroll, A. B., & Shabana, K. M. (2010). The business case for corporate social responsibility: A review of concepts, research and practice. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 85–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00275.x

Chandra, S. (2019). A conceptual understanding of green marketing in the Indian context. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research, 5(3), 80–87.

Chen, L., Nan, G., & Li, M. (2018). Wholesale pricing or agency pricing on online retail platforms: The effects of customer loyalty. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 22(4), 576–608. https://doi.org/10.1080/10864415.2018.1485086

Chen, Y.-S. (2010). The drivers of green brand equity: Green brand image, green satisfaction, and green trust. Journal of Business Ethics, 93(2), 307–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0223-9

Chen, Y. S. (2013). Towards green loyalty: Driving from green perceived value, green satisfaction, and green trust. Sustainable Development, 21(5), 294–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.500

Chen, Y. S., & Chang, C. H. (2013). Towards green trust: The influences of green perceived quality, green perceived risk, and green satisfaction. Management Decision, 51(1), 63–82. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251741311291319

Cheung, C. M. K., & Thadani, D. R. (2012). The impact of electronic word-of-mouth communication: A literature analysis and integrative model. Decision Support Systems, 54(1), 461–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2012.06.008

Choi, H.-s. (2015). The young generation and their social media. Sociétés, 129(3), 105–113. https://doi.org/10.3917/soc.129.0105

Chu, S. C., & Chen, H. T. (2019). Impact of consumers’ corporate social responsibility‐related activities in social media on brand attitude, electronic word‐of‐mouth intention, and purchase intention: A study of Chinese consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 18(6), 453–462. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.1784

Chuah, S. H. -W., El-Manstrly, D., Tseng, M.-L., & Ramayah, T. (2020). Sustaining customer engagement behavior through corporate social responsibility: The roles of environmental concern and green trust. Journal of Cleaner Production, 262, Article 121348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121348

Chung, K. C. (2020). Green marketing orientation: Achieving sustainable development in green hotel management. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 29(6), 722–738. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2020.1693471

Cretu, A. E., & Brodie, R. J. (2007). The influence of brand image and company reputation where manufacturers market to small firms: A customer value perspective. Industrial Marketing Management, 36(2), 230–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2005.08.013

Daugherty, T., & Hoffman, E. (2014). eWOM and the importance of capturing consumer attention within social media. Journal of Marketing Communications, 20(1–2), 82–102. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2013.797764

Davari, A., & Strutton, D. (2014). Marketing mix strategies for closing the gap between green consumers’ pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 22(7), 563–586. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2014.914059

Davies, I. A., Lee, Z., & Ahonkhai, I. (2012). Do consumers care about ethical-luxury? Journal of Business Ethics, 106(1), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-1071-y

Deheshti, M., Firouzjah, A. J., & Alimohammadi, H. (2016). The relationship between brand image and brand trust in sporting goods consumers. Annals of Applied Sport Science, 4(3), 27–34. https://doi.org/10.18869/acadpub.aassjournal.4.3.27

Do, T. T. M. D., & Pereira, L. N. (2023). Understanding Vietnamese consumers’ perception and word-of-mouth intentions towards Airbnb. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 14(2), 83–101. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-12-2020-0321

Eggers, F., O’Dwyer, M., Kraus, S., Vallaster, C., & Güldenberg, S. (2013). The impact of brand authenticity on brand trust and SME growth: A CEO perspective. Journal of World Business, 48(3), 340–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2012.07.018

Ekka, B., Joseph, G. A., Verma, P., Anandaram, H., & Aarif, M. (2022). A review of the contribution of youth to sustainable development and the consequences of this contribution. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(6), 3564–3574. https://journalppw.com/index.php/jpsp/article/view/7925/5165

Fianto, A. Y. A., Hadiwidjojo, D., Aisjah, S., & Solimun. S. (2014). The influence of brand image on purchase behaviour through brand trust. Business Management and Strategy, 5(2), 58–76. https://doi.org/10.5296/bms.v5i2.6003

Grimmer, M., & Bingham, T. (2013). Company environmental performance and consumer purchase intentions. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 1945–1953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.02.017

Guagnano, G. A., Stern, P. C., & Dietz, T. (1995). Influences on attitude-behavior relationships: A natural experiment with curbside recycling. Environment and Behavior, 27(5), 699–718. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916595275005

Guerreiro, J., & Pacheco, M. (2021). How green trust, consumer brand engagement and green word-of-mouth mediate purchasing intentions. Sustainability, 13(14), Article 7877. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147877

Habibi, M. R., Laroche, M., & Richard, M.-O. (2014). The roles of brand community and community engagement in building brand trust on social media. Computers in Human Behavior, 37, 152–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.04.016

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R.E. (2010). Multivariate data analysis (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

Handriana, T., Kurniawati, M., & Usman, I. (2021). Consumer loyalty on green product based on commitment-trust theory. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 18(4), 6810–6823. https://archives.palarch.nl/index.php/jae/article/view/7336/6971

Hansen, A. (2016). Driving development? The problems and promises of the car in Vietnam. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 46(4), 551–569. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472336.2016.1151916

Hansmann, R., Baur, I., & Binder, C. R. (2020). Increasing organic food consumption: An integrating model of drivers and barriers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 275, Article 123058. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123058

Haryanto, B., & Budiman, S. (2016). The green brand marketing strategies that utilize word of mouth: Survey on green electronic products in Indonesia. Global Business & Finance Review, 21(2), 20–33. https://doi.org/10.17549/gbfr.2016.21.2.20

Hazel, D., & Kang, J. (2018). The contributions of perceived CSR information substantiality toward consumers’ cognitive, affective, and conative responses: The hierarchy of effects model approach. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 36(2), 62–77. https://doi.org/10.1177/0887302X17750747

Henry, W. A. (1976). Cultural values do correlate with consumer behavior. Journal of Marketing Research, 13(2), 121–127. https://doi.org/10.2307/3150845

Ho, T. N., Wu, W. Y., Nguyen, P. T., & Chen, H. C. (2019). The moderating effects for the relationships between green customer value, green brand equity and behavioral intention. Academy of Strategic Management Journal, 18(4), 1–21.

Hosseinzadeh, S., & Branch, G. (2013). The effect of green products and green promotion on customers loyalty to the brand of Naghshe Jahan sugar company. International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research, 2(6), 114–118.

Huang, D., Chen, Q., Huang, S., & Liu, X. (2023). Consumer intention to use service robots: A cognitive–affective–conative framework. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-12-2022-1528

Ibrahim, B., Aljarah, A., & Sawaftah, D. (2021). Linking social media marketing activities to revisit intention through brand trust and brand loyalty on the coffee shop facebook pages: Exploring sequential mediation mechanism. Sustainability, 13(4), Article 2277. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042277

Kang, S., & Hur, W. M. (2012). Investigating the antecedents of green brand equity: A sustainable development perspective. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 19(5), 306–316. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.281

Kaur, B., Gangwar, V. P., & Dash, G. (2022). Green marketing strategies, environmental attitude, and green buying intention: A multi-group analysis in an emerging economy context. Sustainability, 14(10), Article 6107. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106107

Keller, K. L. (1993). Conceptualizing, measuring, and managing customer-based brand equity. Journal of Marketing, 57(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299305700101

Ko, E., Hwang, Y. K., & Kim, E. Y. (2013). Green marketing’ functions in building corporate image in the retail setting. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 1709–1715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.11.007

Lavidge, R. J., & Steiner, G. A. (1961). A model for predictive measurements of advertising effectiveness. Journal of Marketing, 25(6), 59–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224296102500611

Le Van, Q., Viet Nguyen, T., & Nguyen, M. H. (2019). Sustainable development and environmental policy: The engagement of stakeholders in green products in Vietnam. Business Strategy and the Environment, 28(5), 675–687. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2272

Leckie, C., Rayne, D., & Johnson, L. W. (2021). Promoting customer engagement behavior for green brands. Sustainability, 13(15), Article 8404. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158404

Lee, J., Jeon, J., & Yoon, J. (2010). Does brand experience affect consumer’s emotional attachments. Korean Journal of Marketing, 12(2), 53–81.

Liao, S. H., Chung, Y. C., & Widowati, R. (2009, December 8-11). The relationships among brand image, brand trust, and online word-of-mouth: An example of online gaming. In Proceedings of the 2009 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (pp. 2207–2211). China. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEM.2009.5373094

Lin, J., Lobo, A., & Leckie, C. (2017a). Green brand benefits and their influence on brand loyalty. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 35(3), 425–440. https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-09-2016-0174

Lin, J., Lobo, A., & Leckie, C. (2017b). The role of benefits and transparency in shaping consumers’ green perceived value, self-brand connection and brand loyalty. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 35, 133–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.12.011

Mahothan, T., Laohavichien, T., Srivardhana, T., & Lertlop, W. (2022). The impact of brand image on brand loyalty: The mediating role of brand love. International Journal of eBusiness and eGovernment Studies, 14(2), 18–34. https://sobiad.org/menuscript/index.php/ijebeg/article/view/1112/167

Mai, N. H., & Poddar, S. (2021). Explore young urban consumers’ green purchasing behavior: Empirical evidences from Vietnam. In Proceeedings of the 1st International Conference on Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (ICoRSH 2020).

Markovic, S., Iglesias, O., Qiu, Y., & Bagherzadeh, M. (2021). The CSR imperative: How CSR influences word-of-mouth considering the roles of authenticity and alternative attractiveness. Business & Society, 61(7), 1773–1803. https://doi.org/10.1177/00076503211053021

Matthews, D. R., Son, J., & Watchravesringkan, K. (2014). An exploration of brand equity antecedents concerning brand loyalty: A cognitive, affective, and conative perspective. Journal of Business and Retail Management Research, 9(1), 26–39. https://www.jbrmr.com/cdn/article_file/i-20_c-180.pdf

Morgan, R. M., & Hunt, S. D. (1994). The commitment-trust theory of relationship marketing. Journal of Marketing, 58(3), 20–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/002224299405800302

Mouloudj, K., & Bouarar, A. C. (2021). The impact of word of mouth on intention to purchase green products: An empirical study. Revue Algérienne d’Economie et Gestion, 15(1), 871–890. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3892124

Mudambi, S. M., Doyle, P., & Wong, V. (1997). An exploration of branding in industrial markets. Industrial Marketing Management, 26(5), 433–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-8501(96)00151-4

Nghi, N. Q., Ni, B. T. Y., Van Trinh, B., & Mi, T. T. B. (2021). Factors affecting the attractiveness and tourists’ word-of-mouth intention to the Southern Folk Cake Festival. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 12(3), 277–284. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2021.12.3.0687

Nguyen-Viet, B. (2023). The impact of green marketing mix elements on green customer based brand equity in an emerging market. Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, 15(1), 96–116. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJBA-08-2021-0398

Nguyen, C. Q., & My To, L. P. (2022, April 28–30). The impacts of electronic word of mouth (EWOM) on cosmetics purchase intention among young consumers in Vietnam. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Management Science and Industrial Engineering (pp. 9–16). Thailand. https://doi.org/10.1145/3535782.3535784

Nguyen, C. V., Giang, L. T., Tran, A. N., & Do, H. T. (2021). Do good governance and public administration improve economic growth and poverty reduction? The case of Vietnam. International Public Management Journal, 24(1), 131–161. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2019.1592793

Niyomsart, S., & Khamwon, A. (2015, October, 19-22). Brand love, brand loyalty, and word of mouth: A case of Airasia. In Proceedings of the International Journal of Arts & Sciences International Conference for Business and Economics. Rome, Italy. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2800887

Oliver, R. L. (1999). Whence consumer loyalty? Journal of Marketing, 63(4), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429990634s105

Oliver, R. L. (2014). Satisfaction: A behavioral perspective on the consumer (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315700892

Parguel, B., Benoît-Moreau, F., & Larceneux, F. (2011). How sustainability ratings might deter ‘greenwashing’: A closer look at ethical corporate communication. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0901-2

Rambocas, M., Kirpalani, V. M., & Simms, E. (2018). Brand equity and customer behavioral intentions: A mediated moderated model. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 36(1), 19–40. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-09-2016-0139

Rather, R. A., Tehseen, S., Itoo, M. H., & Parrey, S. H. (2021). Customer brand identification, affective commitment, customer satisfaction, and brand trust as antecedents of customer behavioral intention of loyalty: An empirical study in the hospitality sector. In Consumer Behaviour in Hospitality and Tourism (pp. 44–65). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003181071-4

Rini, E. S., Absah, Y., Irawati, N., & Sadalia, I. (2020). Positive words of mouth and Better perceived quality: Role of environmental ergonomic aspects. Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues, 9(M), 134–147.

Smith, J. B. (1997). Selling alliances: Issues and insights. Industrial Marketing Management, 26(2), 149–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0019-8501(96)00116-2

Solaiman, M., Osman, A., & Halim, M. S. B. A. (2015). Green marketing: A marketing mix point of view. International Journal of Business and Technopreneurship, 5(1), 87–98. http://dspace.unimap.edu.my/xmlui/handle/123456789/40027

Toukabri, M. (2015). The real stimuli in popular stores. Journal of Marketing Research & Case Studies, 2015, Article 377050. https://doi.org/10.5171/2015.377050

United Nations. (n.d.). #Envision2030 goal 12: Responsible consumption and production. https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030-goal12.html

Vo, T. T., Xiao, X., & Ho, S. Y. (2019). How does corporate social responsibility engagement influence word of mouth on Twitter? Evidence from the airline industry. Journal of Business Ethics, 157(2), 525–542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3679-z

World Bank. (2022). Vietnam country climate and development report. http://vepg.vn/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CCDR-Full-report_01.07_FINAL-1.pdf

Wu, L., & Liu, Z. (2022). The influence of green marketing on brand trust: The mediation role of brand image and the moderation effect of greenwash. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2022, Article 6392172. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6392172

Yadav, R., Balaji, M. S., & Jebarajakirthy, C. (2019). How psychological and contextual factors contribute to travelers’ propensity to choose green hotels? International Journal of Hospitality Management, 77, 385–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.08.002

Zhang, L., Li, D., Cao, C., & Huang, S. (2018). The influence of greenwashing perception on green purchasing intentions: The mediating role of green word-of-mouth and moderating role of green concern. Journal of Cleaner Production, 187, 740–750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.03.201