Identification of the development of consumer ethnocentrism during a pandemic

The aim of the study was to verify whether the current pandemic situation, which resulted in the so-called economic lockdown, and consequently limiting economic growth, affects consumer attitudes manifested by an increase in the tendency to prefer domestic products and to verify what kind of information campaign affects the change of this propensity. The level of ethnocentrism of the surveyed people was measured using the consumer ethnocentrism scale developed by American behavioral economists, and at the beginning the participants of the study were presented with press articles informing about the effects of buying domestic products. One article was positive, indicating that the choice of domestic products means patriotism and an expression of gratitude for domestic companies and employees, especially those supporting medical’s work during the pandemic. The second article had a negative overtone, indicating that the lack of purchase of domestic product harms the domestic economy and increases the level of unemployment, which especially during the pandemic and economic crisis may lead the country into a deep recession. The third article was neutral, without suggesting any effects or consequences.