Do values or goals better explain intent? A cross-national comparison

Among six major lines of inquiry on motivations, two theories are especially pertinent to consumer behavior studies: values and goals. Several studies show that consumer behavior can be predicted on the basis of values or goals; this study examines which are the stronger predictors by presenting a cross-cultural comparison of the values and goals that may influence the behavioral intentions of U.S., Chinese, and French students to study abroad. As a service, study abroad has financial implications, represents a choice, and competes with other educational products. Therefore, goals appear to explain behavioral intentions better than do values, except among U.S. students. The goals and values associated with behavioral intentions differ across cultures and have different perceived dimensions, such that items cluster on those dimensions with specific meanings, depending on the culture. The different influences of values and goals on behavioral intentions may help marketing managers design more efficient marketing strategies in international markets. This paper thus contributes to the marketing literature by suggesting that national cultures moderate the effect of values and goals on consumer intentions.