Attitude towards the purchase of counterfeits: Antecedents and effect on intention to purchase

Counterfeiting is a major issue for companies, public institutions and consumers. Despite extensive literature on the subject in marketing, an instrument for measuring the wide variety of the determinants of attitude towards and intention to purchase counterfeit products is missing. A second-order model comprising 13 determinants, grouped into three latent constructs, is validated. This model includes a dimension related to the societal consequences of counterfeiting and two dimensions representing individual factors’ motivations and deterrents. This research pinpoints the most relevant motivations for and deterrents of counterfeit purchases. Results show that societal economic factors do not impact attitude towards and intention to purchase counterfeits, whereas individual motivations are crucial. Individual motivations and deterrents are the only antecedents of attitude towards counterfeits, with motivations being the most important determinant. Second-order factors indirectly influence intention to purchase counterfeits, through the mediation of attitude towards the purchase.