Title: Arab identity crisis and consumer ethnocentric tendencies

Authors: Saeb Farhan Al Ganideh; Saad Ghaleb Yaseen

Addresses: Faculty of Business, Al Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Jordan ' Faculty of Business, Al Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Jordan

Abstract: This study examines the extent to which possible identity facets, namely, patriotic feelings, ethnic identification, and religious commitment affect consumers' ethnocentric tendencies towards home country, co-ethnic countries, countries share the same predominant religion with their home country. Using Jordanians as proxy for Arab Muslim consumers, data were collected from 312 subjects living in three main Jordanian cities. Structural equation modelling was used to test our model and hypotheses. Our results reveal that patriotic feelings and ethnic identification motivate Jordanian consumers to express strong ethnocentric tendencies towards home country (Jordan) and co-ethnic (Arab) countries respectively. In addition, Islamic religious commitment was found to impact significantly on individuals' ethnocentric tendencies towards Muslim countries. Our results confirm the recent rise of ethnic and religious identities for Arabs as a result of the Arab Spring events. Further, the study presents practical implications of these findings for international marketers.

Keywords: consumer ethnocentrism; ethnicity; religiously; patriotism; identity facets; Arabs; Muslims.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2025.143913

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2025 Vol.39 No.2, pp.226 - 250

Accepted: 02 Jun 2021
Published online: 14 Jan 2025 *

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