What Language Should Be Displayed on Product Packaging? How Unconventional Lettering Influences Packaging and Product Evaluation

Author(s)
Udo Wagner, Alisara Rungnontarat Charinsarn
Abstract

Practitioners and academics agree that packaging is a communication tool that impacts marketing success. This paper focuses on a specific cue incorporated in product packaging: the use of supplementary unconventional lettering, such as Arabic characters, on a product package with English. Building on the theory of Foreign Language Display, the use of unconventional lettering that is congruent with the product is expected to be favorable if it is interpreted as a quality cue. Additionally, familiarity with the product category moderates this relationship. This paper discusses empirical studies carried out in a developed economy and a developing economy.

Organisation(s)
Department of Marketing and International Business
External organisation(s)
Thammasat University
Journal
Journal of International Consumer Marketing
Volume
33
Pages
1-18
No. of pages
18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/08961530.2020.1741483
Publication date
2020
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
502019 Marketing
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Marketing, Management Information Systems
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/007c716e-15b2-4b9d-b136-d77c5be6b77b