Does perceived quality mediate the relationship between country of origin image and consumer buying behaviour in Nigerian hypermarkets?

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the country of origin image of a product and consumers’ purchasing behavior in Nigerian hypermarkets, as well as the mediating role of perceived price in this relationship. The research considers four aspects of purchasing behavior: information search, product evaluation, purchase decision-making, and post-purchase behavior. A total of 1272 participants completed an online survey, and the data collected was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicated that the country of origin image of a product has a significant and positive impact on consumers’ information search, product evaluation, purchase decision-making, and post-purchase behavior. The study also found that perceived quality does not mediate the impact of country of origin image on information search and product evaluation, but it does play a significant and positive role in purchase decision-making and post-purchase behavior. As a result, it is important for Nigerian hypermarkets to be aware of the origin of the products they import, as importing from countries with a positive image can enhance their performance. Furthermore, perceived quality can mediate purchase and post-purchase decisions.