Bayesian approach to assess consumers' brand selection process and identification of brand attributes in a service context

Authors

    Authors

    H. J. Yoon; S. S. Thompson;H. G. Parsa

    Abstract

    The proliferation of branded products and services within the last decade has made it increasingly difficult for consumers to distinguish and choose amongst various brands. To reduce the complexity when choosing one brand over another, consumers may focus on a small set of a few brands in which they contrast and compare. This study examined the consumer's brand categorization process and brand evaluations using Bayesian statistics. Particular brand attributes within the Evoked Set resulting in a significant influence include the consumers' confidence in their ability to evaluate speed of service, taste, price, quality and location of the branded restaurants. Consumers placed restaurant brands in their Hold Set due to lack of confidence in evaluating the taste of the products offered, its prices, brand locations and, most likely, not having formed a clear opinion about the brand. For the most part, cognition and confidence predictably predisposed a consumer to place a brand in the Foggy Set. Finally, in the case of Reject Set, lack of confidence in evaluating a brand, dissatisfaction with a brand and a negative intention to eat at a restaurant were significant factors in placing a brand in a consumers' Reject Set. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

    Journal Title

    International Journal of Hospitality Management

    Volume

    28

    Issue/Number

    1

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    First Page

    33

    Last Page

    41

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000261667400006

    ISSN

    0278-4319

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