To what extent, and under what conditions, a marketing
strategy can and should be standardized across national
boundaries is an issue still to be resolved in the marketing
literature. Proponents of standardization point to economies
of scale whereas opponents stand firm on segmentation. This
study is an attempt to gain insight to the issue of stan
dardization through cross-cultural research in four nations.
The results of this study of energy conservation suggest that
market segments, similar on attitudes and behavior, do exist
across countries. Within such a specific segment, a global
strategy may be appropriate, but a single global strategy,
aimed at all segments and countries, would not be effective.