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Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between religiosity and consumer values, religiosity and consumer decision making styles (CDMS), and the mediating role of consumer values in the relationship between religiosity and CDMS among young Indian Muslim consumers. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 487 young Muslim consumers across three states of India through a survey using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed by using the techniques of exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings Religiosity negatively influenced novelty-fashion consciousness and brand consciousness decision making styles. Religiosity was found to have a significant positive relationship with the “interests of collectivities (IOC)” values and a significant negative relationship with the “interests of individual (IOI)” values. The results indicate that both “IOI” values and “IOC” values mediated the relationship between religiosity and novelty-fashion consciousness and brand consciousness. Originality/value The results of the study provide vital insights regarding the relationship between religiosity, values and CDMS. It provides insights about the consumption behaviour of young Muslim consumers of India who have not been studied as a consumer group.

Purpose This study aims to explore whether religiosity influences ecologically conscious consumption behaviour (ECCB) among Muslim consumers in India. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of 191 young male Muslim respondents. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc tests were used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results indicated a significant positive correlation between religiosity and ECCB. Pro-religious and intrinsically religious consumers reported higher importance to ECCB than non-religious and extrinsically religious consumers. It is, therefore, concluded that religiosity plays an important role in determining ECCB among Muslim consumers in India. Research limitations/implications The study sample comprised Indian university students as respondents, whose consumption behaviours may be constrained by limited independent income. Further, only male students have been included because of methodological considerations. Practical implications This study suggests that green marketers can use religiosity as a possible segmentation variable to effectively position their products. Religious messages or symbols can be invoked in advertising and other communication campaigns by marketers to gain acceptance for green products and consumption behaviours among consumers. Originality/value Few studies have examined the role of religiosity and its impact on consumer behaviour. The present study sought to address this gap in literature and offers preliminary insights about how marketers can effectively use religious symbols for marketing green products to consumers. The study is an initial attempt to provide elementary understanding about the consumption behaviour of Indian Muslims who have been insufficiently investigated by marketing and consumer researchers.

Universities today devote serious effort to attract international students. The purpose of this research is to understand the motivation factors that impact international student choices in selecting Indian higher education as a study-abroad destination. This quantitative study examines the choice criteria of 249 full-time international students from the countries of Asia and Africa. A number of choice factors were identified. Results indicate that international students at Indian universities consider ‘university characteristics’ and ‘influence of social networks’ as the most important motivation factors that determine destination choice. The study findings suggest a value proposition canvas consisting of teaching quality, university rankings, safety and availability of academic courses as its foremost constituents. The paper notes decision-making influences and identifies implications for marketing actions of a developing host country operating in a competitive international student market.

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