Shahid N. Bhuian

An Empirical Examination of Market Orientation in Saudi Arabian Manufacturing Companies

Abstract The author examines the applicability of Kohli and Jaworski (1990) and Jaworski and Kohli’s (1993) market orientation model in Saudi Arabia, a developing country market. To this end, a sample of 115 Saudi Arabian manufacturing companies have been investigated. The properties of the scales pertaining to the constructs in the market orientation model have been reexamined in Saudi Arabia. Further, the market orientation model has been examined both by the traditional methods as were used by Jaworski and Kohli and by a structural equations model in LISREL. The results, produced by the former methodology, are mostly consistent with the findings of Jaworski and Kohli, whereas the findings unveiled by the latter method are not consistent with the hypotheses. In the latter case, the market orientation model does not appear to fit satisfactorily. Also, the scale of market orientation and most other scales do not seem to be applicable in Saudi Arabia. Finally, only when the model is respecified, the fit measures improve and provide support for some hypothesized relationships.

Market Orientation and Organizational Performance in Not-for-Profit Hospitals

Abstract This study explores market orientation in the not-for-profit hospital setting. The authors hypothesize a positive relationship between market orientation and four organizational factors, including professional commitment, professional education, and professional ethics of the senior management team, and organizational entrepreneurship, and three environmental factors, including perceptions of two states of competition and the state of demand. The study also examines the relationship between market orientation and hospital performance. Data from 237 top hospital administrators are used to empirically test the hypothesized relationships. Results provide evidence of a positive association between market orientation and both the professional commitment of the senior management team and organizational entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the study provides strong support for the relationship between market orientation and hospital performance.

Exploring market orientation in banks: an empirical examination in Saudi Arabia

Examines market orientation and its relationship with return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and sales‐per‐employee within a novel context, banks in Saudi Arabia. Toward this end, a sample of 92 bank managers was investigated. Findings indicate that banks in Saudi Arabia are marginally market‐oriented and that market orientation is unrelated to ROA, ROE, and sales‐per‐employee. Further, results imply that executives of firms, in general, should weigh the external environment in which the firm operates before adopting a market‐oriented philosophy because market orientation may not be a preferred orientation under all circumstances.

Revisiting the pioneering market orientation model in an emerging economy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to replicate Kohli and Jaworski, and Kohlis pioneering market orientation model within a highly growth‐oriented and competitive banking industry in an emerging Middle‐Eastern economy, Jordan.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted among top management personnel of 475 bank branches in Jordan. A total of 11 hypotheses related to market orientation; its antecedents and consequences were examined by estimating multiple regression models.Findings – The study confirms that market orientation‐performance relationship is robust across diverse contexts. Also, top management traits are consistent predictors of market orientation. However, organizational factors as direct and linear determinants of market orientation are not completely stable. Further, the nature of the correlations between environmental factors and market orientation may be more complex than has been believed. In addition, within‐country variations along Hofstedes cultural dimensions may be pos...

Saudi consumers’ attitudes towards European, US and Japanese products and marketing practices

Examines consumer attitudes towards foreign products and the associated marketing practices in Saudi Arabia, one of the biggest consumers of foreign goods with a per capita gross national product surpassing every African and Latin American country and which was exceeded in Asia only by Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Assesses the attitudes of Saudi consumers towards the products and marketing practices of the top six exporters to Saudi Arabia, namely, the USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, UK and France. Utilizes a number of general product attributes, marketing activities and buying and using preference indicators to explain the general attitudes of Saudi consumers towards products and marketing practices of these countries. Findings indicate that Saudi consumers have the most positive attitudinal response to the products and marketing practices of the US and Japan. Among the four Western European competitors, German products and marketing practices were pereived more favourably by Saudi consumers. The relative position of these countries varies depending on the specific product or marketing attribute in question. Saudi consumers did not make any substantial distinctions among the products and marketing practices of Italy, UK and France.

Marketing cues and perceived quality: Perceptions of Saudi consumers toward products of the U.S., Japan, Germany, Italy, U.K. and France

Abstract This manuscript explores the relationship between marketing cues and perceived quality in Saudi Arabia, a surrogate for developing countries. Further, the study examines the influence of the country-of-origin bias on the relationship between marketing cues and perceived quality. A sample of 381 Saudi Arabian consumers evaluate various marketing cues and perceived quality associated with the products of the U.S., Japan, Germany, Italy, U.K., and France separately. The study results indicate that the influences of a number of marketing cues, namely, personal pride, workmanship, reasonable price, and warranties on perceived quality are robust across varying country-of-origin effects. On the other hand, the influences of appearance, reliability, availability and maintenance service on perceived quality are affected by the country-of-origin information.

Factors Determining Consumer Interest in Catalogs: An Examination in an Emerging Market

ABSTRACT This paper attempts to explain how consumer interest in catalogs is determined. A number of factors are identified that influence consumer interest in catalogs. These factors include a set of economic and social factors, and consumer perceived risk, demographics, and prior experience. The influence of these factors on consumer interest in catalogs is tested using data from Saudi Arabia, an emerging market. Results indicate that the economic and social factors influence consumer interest in catalogs. Also, consumer perceived risk, education, income and prior experience are related to consumer interest in catalogs, while gender and marital status are not.

Across-National Comparison of Consumer Environmental Attitudes Representing Five Major Regions of the World

This study examines the attitudes of consumers toward various environmental issues. The environmental issues include attitudes toward general consequences of environmental condition, attitudes toward human-nature relationship, attitudes toward science and technology, and attitudes toward local environmental problems. The consumers in this study represent five major regions of the world, including America, Arab League Nations (excluding Saudi Arabia), Europe, Saudi Arabia, South-Asia , South-East Asia and others.

Consumerism in the Arab Middle East: The Case of Saudi Arabia

This study attempts to empirically examine consumerism in Saudi Arabia, an attractive international market in the Arab Middle East. The study reveals that consumers in Saudi Arabia have: an overall positive view about marketing practices, a little enthusiasm about consumerism, and an overwhelming reliance on government regulations.