MATCHING PRODUCT CATEGORY AND COUNTRY IMAGE PERCEPTIONS - A FRAMEWORK FOR MANAGING COUNTRY-OF-ORIGIN EFFECTS

The study of country-of-origin (COO) effects examines how consumers perceive products emanating from a particular country. This study examines COO in terms of the fit between countries and product categories. A framework is suggested which matches the importance of product category dimensions with the perceived image of the country-of-origin along the same dimensions. Such matches (or mismatches) can be either favorable or unfavorable. Managers can use product-country match information to assess consumers' purchase intentions, and assist them in managing their product's COO. Data collected from consumers in Ireland, Mexico, and the United States demonstrate the product-country match framework and its strategic implications.