Drivers of consumer-based brand equity: a two-country analysis of perceived brand origin and identity expressiveness

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate whether and how the effects of cognitive, sensory and affective brand associations on brand love (a core driver of brand loyalty) differ by perceived brand origin (domestic vs imported) and identity expressiveness (low vs high) in two different national contexts. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected through an online survey in the US and China. A total of 711 responses (n = 362 for the US, n = 349 for China) were used for data analysis. A multiple-group structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. Findings Cognitive and sensory associations are significant drivers of US consumers' brand love while affective associations are important for Chinese consumers' brand love. Also, perceived brand origin and identity expressiveness moderate the three brand associations-brand love relationship. For US consumers, cognitive associations significantly influence brand love for both domestic and imported brands, but sensory associations are important for domestic brand love. For Chinese consumers, affective associations significantly influence brand love for both domestic and imported brands, but cognitive associations are important for imported brand love. The impacts of the three brand associations on brand love differ by the degree of identity expressiveness. Originality/value This study contributes to the scarce cross-cultural research on brand equity by testing the extended brand equity model. The findings provide more specific, meaningful insights into the role of perceived brand origin and identity expressiveness, leading to more effective international brand management.