The Relationship between Status Consumption and Materialism: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Chinese, Mexican, and American Student

Abstract

This paper examines the individual difference variables of materialism (as measured by Richins and Dawson 1992) and status consumption (as measured by Kilsheimer 1993) across three countries (U.S.A., Peoples Republic of China, and Mexico) of college students. The study addresses the reliability of the two constraints as well as the relationship between these two constructs within and between countries. The results suggest that status consumption and materialism are significantly different constructs in all three countries surveyed. Additionally, while there are statistically significant differences in the materialism levels across all three countries, there are no statistically significant differences in the level of status consumption for the American, Chinese, and Mexican consumers surveyed. This suggests that consuming for status has equal importance in all three countries. The implications for international Marketing Managers are suggested.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jacqueline K. Eastman

Jacqueline K. Eastman (Ph.D., Horida State University) is an assistant professor of Marketing and Director of the M.B.A. program at Valdosta State University. She has published in journals such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, journal of Business Research, and Journal of Business Ethics.

Bill Fredenberger

Bill Fredenberger (Ph.D., University of Georgia) is a professor of Management information systems at Valdosta State University. He has published in Journals such as the journal of Management Information Systems, journal of Business Forecasting, and the Journal of Applied Business Research.

David Campbell

David Campbell (Ph.D., University of Arkansas) is an associate professor of Marketing at Valdosta State University. He has published journals, such as the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science and Journal of Health Care Marketing.

Stephen Calvert

Stephen Calvert (Ph.D., University of Cincinnati) is a professor of Marketing at the University of San Francisco. He has published in journals such as the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing Education, and Current Research and Issues in Advertising.