Consumer Affinity for Foreign Countries, Film Attendance, and Interest in Purchasing Products from Foreign Countries: An Exploratory Study of Korea and Ireland

A number of studies in recent years of have begun to look at the connection between country affinity (an interest in and admiration of a particular country) and a desire to buy the products and services of that country. Country affinity has been shown to be particularly important when consumers lack other sources of information about a good or service. However, except for direct questioning, methods to identify the affinity consumers might have for another country are lacking. This study examines the degree to which attending a movie set in a particular country will be related to an affinity for that country and possibly by extension the goods and services of that country. It is not the goal of this study to suggest that movies create the affinity, but rather that that the affinity will exist for viewers of the films. Two films set in Ireland and featuring Irish actors where shown to audiences composed of Korean students and a small number of Korean adults. As a point of comparison, students in two introductory consumer classes were also asked to complete a similar questionnaire. Four affinity factors were identified from a list of 17 items. Those who attended the historical drama showed a greater affinity for Ireland than those who attended the romantic musical. Affinity for Ireland among Koreans was also meaningful in predicting interest in purchasing Irish products.