Remedy the Brand Crisis Caused by Identity Discrimination:The Impact of Identity-supporting Strategies on Brand Attitude

Cui Nan,Duan Huanjiao,Deng Xi,Xu Lan,Ma Yuchao

Journal of Marketing Science ›› 2026, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1) : 98-115.

PDF(10732 KB)
PDF(10732 KB)
Journal of Marketing Science ›› 2026, Vol. 6 ›› Issue (1) : 98-115.
Research Papers

Remedy the Brand Crisis Caused by Identity Discrimination:The Impact of Identity-supporting Strategies on Brand Attitude

  • Cui Nan,Duan Huanjiao,Deng Xi,Xu Lan,Ma Yuchao
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Abstract

Brand crisis caused by identity discrimination often leads to serious consequences for brands, however, few studies have proposed remedies for identity-discrimination crisis. Based on social identity theory, this study proposes two identity-supporting strategies: supporting the discriminated identity strategy (i.e., brands support the discriminated identity of the discriminated consumers) and supporting the non-discriminated identity strategy (i.e., brands support another non-discriminated identity of the discriminated consumers). Through three experiments, this study examines the effectiveness of these two strategies in remedying the identity discrimination crisis and improving consumers' brand attitude, and examines the impact of consumer types on the effectiveness of these two strategies. The findings suggest that supporting the non-discriminated identity strategy is effective in improving the perceived self-image congruence of discriminated consumers (vs. third-party consumers), and thus their brand attitude. The conclusions enrich the research on response strategies of moral-based brand crisis and provide practical suggestions for marketers to deal with moral-based brand crisis caused by identity discrimination.

Key words

brand crisis; recovery strategies; identity discrimination; brand and self-image congruence; third-party consumers

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Cui Nan,Duan Huanjiao,Deng Xi,Xu Lan,Ma Yuchao. Remedy the Brand Crisis Caused by Identity Discrimination:The Impact of Identity-supporting Strategies on Brand Attitude[J]. Journal of Marketing Science. 2026, 6(1): 98-115

Funding

国家自然科学基金面上项目(72172110、72072135、72472123)
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