Keyword

Intergenerational, Consumption, Festive, Occasion, Ramadan, Behavioral

Abstract

Purpose of the research:  Exploring the motivations behind Egyptian’s consumption during the festive occasion (FO) of Ramadan, in addition to exploring and understanding the intergenerational influence and the intention-behavioral gap between an old and young generation. Such exploration provides an insightful distinction between each generation, including their personal motives for consumption, which shapes their intentions to behave and their actual consumption behavior during the festivity.

Design/methodology: A multi-method qualitative study is chosen by carrying out focus groups and interviews. Most of the analysed date is generated based on interviews with the young (20-44 years old) and old generation (45-70 years old), pre and post Ramadan. Transcription and content analysis is employed using NVivo - a computer assisted program.

Results/Findings: The main themes explored, such as extrinsic motivation, reflect the different influences on buying behavior, in addition to how they differ from one generation to the other. The main motivations of festive occasion consumption for both generations are also explored.

Practical implications and Conclusions: The current study has a dual contribution with theoretical and practical implications. It contributes theoretically through identifying the personal motivations of both generations and developing an understanding of the intention-behavioral gaps in the young generation. In terms of its practical contribution, the study serves as a guide for businesses through typifying the specific consumer segments of the old and young generation through their personal motivation characteristics to be able to offer their segments more specific marketing strategies.


Full Text : PDF

References
  • Ajzen, I. (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organizational behavior and human decision processes, 50 (2), 179-211.
  • Alam, S.S. & Sayuti, N.M. (2011) Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in halal food purchasing. International journal of Commerce and Management, 21 (1), 8-20.
  • Ashraf, S., Williams, A.M. and Bray, J. (2023) Female Muslim identity and modest clothing consumption in the UK. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 14(9), 2306-2322.
  • Bandura, A. (1994) Social cognitive theory and exercise of control over HIV infection. In DiClemente, R.J. & Peterson, J.L. (eds.) Preventing AIDS. Boston, MA, Springer, pp. 25-59.
  • Bandura, A., Reese, L. & Adams, N.E. (1982) Microanalysis of action and fear arousal as a function of differential levels of perceived self-efficacy. Journal of personality and social psychology, 43 (1), 5-21.
  • Bank of England (2020) What do we spend at Christmas? [Online] Available from:
  • https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/knowledgebank/how-much-do-we-spend-at-christmas [Accessed 6 March 2021].
  • Barakat, I., Chamlal, H., Elayachi, M. & Belahsen, R. (2020) Food Expenditure and Food Consumption before and during Ramadan in Moroccan Households. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2020, 1-7.
  • Belk, R.W. (1985) Materialism: Trait aspects of living in the material world. Journal of Consumer research, 12 (3), 265-280.
  • Biswas, A. & Roy, M. (2015) Green products: an exploratory study on the consumer behaviour in emerging economies of the East. Journal of Cleaner Production, 87, 463-468.
  • Briliana, V. & Mursito, N. (2017) Exploring antecedents and consequences of Indonesian Muslim youths' attitude towards halal cosmetic products: A case study in Jakarta. Asia Pacific Management Review, 22 (4), 176-184.
  • Brim Jr, O.G. (1968) Socialization through the life cycle. In: Gordon, C. & Gergen, K.J. (eds.) The Self in Social Interaction. New York, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 227-240.
  • Burrell, K. (2012) The Objects of Christmas. In: Svasek, M. (ed.) Moving Subjects, Moving Objects: Transnationalism, Cultural Production and Emotions. New York, Berghahn, pp. 55-74.
  • Carr, J.C. & Sequeira, J.M. (2007) Prior family business exposure as intergenerational influence and entrepreneurial intent: A theory of planned behavior approach. Journal of business research, 60 (10), 1090-1098.
  • Caruana, A. & Vassallo, R. (2003) Children’s perception of their influence over purchases: the role of parental communication patterns. Journal of consumer marketing, 20 (1), 55-66.
  • Cashmore, J.A. & Goodnow, J.J. (1985) Agreement between generations: A two-process approach. Child Development, 56 (2), 493-501.
  • Casini, L., Contini, C., Romano, C. & Scozzafava, G. (2015) Trends in food consumptions: what is happening to generation X? British Food Journal, 117 (2), 705-718.
  • Chang, C.T. & Tung, M.H. (2016) Intergenerational appeal in advertising: impacts of brand–gender extension and brand history. International Journal of Advertising, 35 (2), 345-361.
  • Childers, T.L. & Rao, A.R. (1992) The influence of familial and peer-based reference groups on consumer decisions. Journal of consumer research, 19 (2), 198-211.
  • Choukas-Bradley, S., Giletta, M., Cohen, G.L. & Prinstein, M.J. (2015) Peer influence, peer status, and prosocial behavior: An experimental investigation of peer socialization of adolescents’ intentions to volunteer. Journal of youth and adolescence, 44 (12), 2197-2210.
  • Chukwu, B.A., Kanu, E.C. & Ezeabogu, A.N. (2019) The Impact of Advertising on Consumers Buying Behaviour. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 8 (1), 1-15.
  • Cooley, C.H. (1902) Looking-glass self. In: O’Brien, J. (ed.) The production of reality: Essays and readings on social interaction. 5th edition. Los Angeles, Sage, pp.126-128.
  • Cunningham, S.A., Yount, K.M., Engelman, M. & Agree, E. (2013) Returns on lifetime investments in children in Egypt. Demography, 50 (2), 699-724.
  • Cunningham, W.A., Preacher, K.J. & Banaji, M.R. (2001) Implicit attitude measures: Consistency, stability, and convergent validity. Psychological science, 12 (2), 163-170.
  • De Solier, I. (2013) Food and the self: Consumption, production, and material culture. London, Bloomsbury.
  • Delener, N. (1990) The effects of religious factors on perceived risk in durable goods purchase decisions. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 7 (3), 27-38.
  • Deshpande, R., Hoyer, W.D. & Donthu, N., 1986. The intensity of ethnic affiliation: A study of the sociology of Hispanic consumption. Journal of Consumer Research, 13 (2), 214-220.
  • Dietler, M. & Hayden, B. (2010) Feasts: archaeological and ethnographic perspectives on food, politics, and power. Tuscaloosa, University of Alabama Press.
  • Donthu, N. & Cherian, J. (1994) Impact of strength of ethnic identification on Hispanic shopping behavior. Journal of Retailing, 70 (4), 383-393.
  • Essoo, N. & Dibb, S. (2004) Religious influences on shopping behaviour: An exploratory study. Journal of marketing management, 20 (7-8), 683-712.
  • Fishbein, M. & Ajzen, I. (1975) Belief. Attitude, Intention and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Reading, Addison-Wesley.
  • Fishbein, M. (2000) The role of theory in HIV prevention. AIDS care, 12 (3), 273-278.
  • Fishbein, M. and Yzer, M.C. (2003) Using theory to design effective health behavior interventions. Communication theory, 13 (2), 164-183.
  • Freeman, L. & Bell, S. (2013) Women's magazines as facilitators of Christmas rituals. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 16 (3), 336-354.
  • Gangwar, K.K. & Joshi, B.D. (2008) A preliminary study on solid waste generation at Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar, around the Ardh-Kumbh period of sacred bathing in the river Ganga in 2004. The Environmentalist, 28, 297-300.
  • Gauthier, F. & Martikainen, T. (2016) Religion in consumer society: brands, consumers, and markets. London, Routledge.
  • Gavish, Y., Shoham, A. & Ruvio, A. (2010) A qualitative study of motheradolescent daughtervicarious role model consumption interactions. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 27 (1), 43-56.
  • Gentina, É., Decoopman, I. & Ruvio, A. (2013) Social comparison motivation of mothers with their adolescent daughters and its effects on the mother’s consumption behaviour. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 20 (1), 94-101.
  • Gentina, E., Tang, T.L.P. & Gu, Q. (2017) Does bad company corrupt good morals? Social bonding and academic cheating among French and Chinese teens. Journal of Business Ethics, 146 (3), 639-667.
  • Goffman, E. (1956) The nature of deference and demeanor. American Anthropologist, 58 (3), 473-502.
  • Gram, M., O’Donohoe, S., Marchant, C., Brembeck, H., Johansson, B., Schänzel, H. & Kastarinen, A. (2017) Consumption and intergenerational relationships: broadening interpretive research on family consumption by focusing on the grandparent-grandchild relationship. [Online] IWorkshop on Interpretive Consumer Research. Stockholm, Sweden, 27-28 April. Available from:
  • Grossbart, S., Carlson, L. & Walsh, A. (1991) Consumer socialization and frequency of shopping with children. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 19 (3), 155-163.
  • Gvion, L. (2006) In Belly Line: Social, Cultural and Political Perspectives on Arab Cuisines. Israel, Magnes.
  • Heckler, S.E., Childers, T.L. & Arunachalam, R. (1989) Intergenerational influences in adult buying behaviors: An examination of moderating factors. Advances in Consumer Research, 16, 276-284.
  • Hellman, J. (2008) The significance of eating during Ramadan: Consumption and exchange of food in a village in West Java. Food and Foodways, 16 (3), 201-226.
  • Hill, R. L. (1970) Family development in three generations. Cambridge, Schenkman.
  • Hirschman, E.C. and LaBarbera, P.A. (1989) The meaning of Christmas. Interpretive Consumer Research, 136-147.
  • Hirschman, E.C., Ruvio, A.A. & Touzani, M. (2011) Breaking bread with Abraham’s children: Christians, Jews and Muslims’ holiday consumption in dominant, minority and diasporic communities. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 39 (3), 429-448.
  • Hofstede, G. (2001) Culture's consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. 2nd edition.  Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications.
  • Islam, T. & Chandrasekaran, U. (2019) Religiosity, values and consumer behaviour: a study of young Indian Muslim consumers. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 36 (7), 948-961.
  • Ismail, S., Zulkefli, M., Afiah, N., Chung, C.S. & Zainal, M.S. (2015) Factors influencing smoking behaviour changes during Ramadan among Malay male students. Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health, 3 (3), 97-102.
  • Janmohamed, S. Z. (2016). Ramadan reveals true state of women. [Online] Available from:
  • http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/ramadan-reveals-true-state-of-women [Accessed 17 August 2016].Janmohamed, S., 2016. Generation M: Young Muslims changing the world. London, IB Tauris.
  • Jawad, F. & Kalra, S. (2015) Ramadan and diabetes management-The 5 R's. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 65 (5), 79-80.
  • Kassem, N.O., Lee, J.W., Modeste, N.N. & Johnston, P.K. (2003) Understanding soft drink consumption among female adolescents using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Health education research, 18 (3), 278-291.
  • Kauh, T.O. (1997) Intergenerational relations: Older Korean Americans ‘experiences. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 12 (3), 245-271.
  • Keenan, K.L. & Yeni, S. (2003) Ramadan advertising in Egypt: A content analysis with elaboration on select items. Journal of Media and Religion, 2 (2), 109-117.
  • Kinley, D. (2009) Civilising globalisation: Human rights and the global economy. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
  • Kuper, A. (1993) The English Christmas and the family: Time out and alternative realities. Unwrapping Christmas, 157-175.
  • Kurt, S.D. & Ozgen, O. (2013) The meanings, rituals and consumption patterns of Holy Feast and New Year in Turkey. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 4 (1), 64-79.
  • Laroche, M., Kim, C. & Tomiuk, M.A. (1998) Italian ethnic identity and its relative impact on the consumption of convenience and traditional foods. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 15 (2), 125-151.
  • Latif, A., Saleem, S. & Abideen, Z.U. (2011) Influence of role model on Pakistani urban teenager’s purchase behavior. European Journal of Economics, Finance and Administrative Sciences, 31 (3), 7-16.
  • Lee, A.M. (2013) News audiences revisited: Theorizing the link between audience motivations and news consumption. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 57 (3), 300-317.
  • Lee, J.E. & Watkins, B. (2016) YouTube vloggers' influence on consumer luxury brand perceptions and intentions. Journal of Business Research, 69 (12), 5753-5760.
  • Lissitsa, S. & Kol, O. (2019) Four generational cohorts and hedonic m-shopping: Association between personality traits and purchase intention. Electronic Commerce Research, 1-26.
  • Mandrik, C., Bao, Y. & Wang, S. (2018) A cross-national study of intergenerational influence: US and PRC. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 35 (1), 91-104.
  • Mandrik, C.A., Fern, E.F. & Bao, Y. (2004) Intergenerational influence in mothers and young adult daughters. Advances in Consumer Research, 31, 697-699.
  • McKechnie, S. & Tynan, C. (2006) Social meanings in Christmas consumption: an exploratory study of UK celebrants’ consumption rituals. Journal of Consumer Behaviour: An International Research Review, 5 (2), 130-144.
  • Melton, J.G. & Baumann, M. (2010) Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopaedia of Beliefs and Practices. 2nd edition. Santa Barbara, California, ABC-CLIO.
  • Mercado, S., Welford, R. & Prescott, K. (2001) European business. London, Pearson.
  • Moore, E.S., Wilkie, W.L. & Lutz, R.J. (2002) Passing the torch: intergenerational influences as a source of brand equity. Journal of Marketing, 66 (2), 17-37.
  • Moore, R.L. & Moschis, G.P. (1983) Role of mass media and the family in development of consumption norms. Journalism Quarterly, 60 (1), 67-73.
  • Moore-Shay, E.S. & Berchmans, B.M. (1996) The role of the family environment in the development of shared consumption values: an intergenerational study. Advances in Consumer Research, 23, 484-490.
  • Moore-Shay, E.S. & Lutz, R.J. (1988) Intergenerational influences in the formation of consumer attitudes and beliefs about the marketplace: mothers and daughters. Advances in Consumer Research, 15, 461-467.
  • Moschis, G.P. & Churchill Jr, G.A. (1978) Consumer socialization: A theoretical and empirical analysis. Journal of marketing research, 15 (4), 599-609.
  • Moschis, G.P. (1985) The role of family communication in consumer socialization of children and adolescents. Journal of consumer research, 11 (4), 898-913.
  • Moschis, G.P. (1988) Methodological issues in studying intergenerational influences on consumer behavior. Advances in Consumer Research, 15, 569-573.
  • Nicolaou, M., Doak, C.M., van Dam, R.M., Brug, J., Stronks, K. & Seidell, J.C. (2009) Cultural and social influences on food consumption in Dutch residents of Turkish and Moroccan origin: a qualitative study. Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 41 (4), 232-241.
  • Odabasi, Y. & Argan, M. (2009) Aspects of underlying Ramadan consumption patterns in Turkey. Journal of international consumer marketing, 21 (3), 203-218.
  • Oliver, M.A. (2017) Generation M: young Muslims changing the world. European Journal of Marketing, 51 (10), 1768-1770.
  • Perry, G.E. (2001) Islam Today: A Short Introduction to the Muslim World: Akbar S. Ahmed. Digest of Middle East Studies, 10 (2), 78-81.
  • Petrelli, D. & Light, A. (2014) Family rituals and the potential for interaction design: a study of Christmas. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction), 21 (3), 1-29.
  • Pew Research Center (2015), “The future of world religions: population growth projections, 2010-2050”, Available at: www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010- 2050/
  • Pitts, M., Dorling, D. & Pattie, C. (2007) Christmas feasting and social class: Christmas feasting and everyday consumption. Food, Culture & Society, 10 (3), 407-424.
  • Pollay, R.W. (1987) It's the thought that counts: A case study in Xmas excesses. Advances in Consumer Research, 14, 140-143.
  • Richter, G., Raban, D.R. & Rafaeli, S. (2015) Studying gamification: The effect of rewards and incentives on motivation. In: Reiners, T. & Wood, L. C. (eds.) Gamification in education and business. Cham, Springer, pp. 21-46.
  • Rose, N. (1999) Powers of freedom: Reframing political thought. Cambridge, Cambridge university press.
  • Sabah, S. (2017) The impact of self-construal and self-concept clarity on socially motivated consumption: The moderating role of materialism. Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science, 27 (1), 31-45.
  • Sakashita, M. & Kimura, J. (2011) Daughter as mother’s extended self. European advances in consumer research, 9, 283-289.
  • Sandikci, Ö. & Omeraki, S. (2007) Globalization and rituals: does Ramadan turn into Christmas? Advances in Consumer Research, 34, 610-615.
  • Scaglioni, S., De Cosmi, V., Ciappolino, V., Parazzini, F., Brambilla, P. & Agostoni, C. (2018) Factors influencing children’s eating behaviours. Nutrients, 10 (6), 706.
  • Schmidt, L. (2012) Urban Islamic spectacles: transforming the space of the shopping mall during Ramadan in Indonesia. Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, 13 (3), 384-407.
  • Shah, R.H. & Mittal, B. (1997) Toward a theory of intergenerational influence in consumer behavior: an exploratory essay. Advances in Consumer Research, 24, 55-60.
  • Solomon, M., Russell-Bennett, R. & Previte, J. (2012) Consumer behaviour: Buying, Having, Being. 3rd edition. Australia, Pearson.
  • Thomas, J.B. & Peters, C. (2011) An exploratory investigation of Black Friday consumption rituals. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 39 (7), 522-537.
  • Turner, R.H. (1962) Role taking: Process versus conformity. Life as theater: A dramaturgical sourcebook, 85-98.
  • Van Rossem, A.H. (2019) Generations as social categories: An exploratory cognitive study of generational identity and generational stereotypes in a multigenerational workforce. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40 (4), 434-455.
  • Viswanathan, M., Childers, T.L. & Moore, E.S. (2000) The measurement of intergenerational communication and influence on consumption: Development, validation, and cross-cultural comparison of the IGEN scale. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 28 (3), 406-424.
  • Waines, D. (2003) An introduction to Islam. 2nd edition. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
  • Wani, T.A. (2013) Buying Behaviour-An Islamic Perspective: An analysis of an Ideal Muslim Buying Behaviour. International Journal of Research in Commerce & Management, 4(10), 152-155.
  • Ward, S. (1974) Consumer socialization. Journal of consumer research, 1 (2), 1-14.
  • Whitbeck, L.B. & Gecas, V. (1988) Value attributions and value transmission between parents and children. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 829-840.
  • Yang, S., Lu, Y., Wang, B. & Zhao, L. (2014) The benefits and dangers of flow experience in high school students’ internet usage: The role of parental support. Computers in Human Behavior, 41, 504-513.
  • Yang, Z. & Laroche, M. (2011) Parental responsiveness and adolescent susceptibility to peer influence: A cross-cultural investigation. Journal of Business Research, 64 (9), 979-987.
  • Yildirim-Yenier, Z., Lajunen, T. & Özkan, T. (2016) Driving in the fasting month of Ramadan: an observational study on speeding, horn honking, and using seat belts. Transportation research part F: traffic psychology and behaviour, 42, 562-568.
  • Yoon, H.S. & Occeña, L.G. (2015) Influencing factors of trust in consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce with gender and age. International journal of information management, 35 (3), 352-363.
  • Yu, L. (1999) The International Hospitality Business: Management and Operations. New York, The Haworth Hospitality Press.