Applying uses and gratifications theory to understand customer participation in social media brand communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampy Kamboj
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Customer Participation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Brand Commitment ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how various gratifications obtained in the social media context affect customer participation, and its sequential effect on brand trust, brand commitment and word of mouth (WOM) in social media brand communities. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 352 respondents who used social media using a survey method. The data were assessed using AMOS with structural equation modeling. Findings The findings depicted that among all gratifications obtained in the social media context, information seeking, incentive and brand likeability strongly affect customer participation, which sequentially affect brand trust, commitment and WOM in social media brand communities. In the context of social media brand communities, brand trust partially mediates the relationship between customer participation and its two outcome variables (brand commitment and WOM). Originality/value The present paper contributes that theory of uses and gratifications has particular significance and supposed to be provided further importance in the field of social media. It also presents a vivid and rich understanding of why customers use social media and participate in social media brand communities.

Construction and validation of the customer social participation in brand communities scale

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampy Kamboj ◽  
Bijoylaxmi Sarmah
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Customer Participation ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to construct and validate customer social participation (CSP) scale in the context of brand communities on social media. Design/methodology/approach In this study, various tests for reliability and validity have been performed to confirm scale structure. Data were collected using survey method from the student and non-student sample. Findings The results confirm a multi-dimensional scale with nine items for measuring customer participation in social media brand communities. Research limitations/implications The results of this study present several implications for online brand communities managers and are likely to support future research in the context of social media brand communities. Originality/value This paper is the first to develop a multi-dimensional scale of customer participation in social media brand communities. This is a new addition to existing literature, as the majority of empirical studies in this field are from participation other than CSP, and contexts different from social media brand communities.

Should I suggest this YouTube clip? The impact of UGC source credibility on eWOM and purchase intention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazzini Muda ◽  
Muhammad Iskandar Hamzah
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Source Credibility ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

PurposeIn spite of the increasing organic and interactive marketing activities over social media, a general understanding of the source credibility of voluntary user-generated content (UGC) is still limited. In line with the social identity theory, this paper examines the effects of consumers' perceived source credibility of UGC in YouTube videos on their attitudes and behavioral intentions. Additionally, source homophily theory is included to predict the antecedent of source credibility.Design/methodology/approachThree hundred and seventy two Generation Y respondents were interviewed using snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with component-based structural equation modeling technique of partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsFindings confirmed that perceived source credibility indirectly affects purchase intention (PI) and electronic word-of-mouth via attitude toward UGC. Besides, perceived source credibility mediates the effect of perceived source homophily on attitude toward UGC.Practical implicationsSince today's consumers have begun to trust and rely more on UGC than company-generated content on social media when making purchase decisions, companies may reconsider democratizing certain aspects of their branding strategies. Firms may fine-tune their marketing communication budgets – not only just by sponsoring public figures and celebrities but also by nurturing coproductive engagements with independent content creators who are ordinary consumers. Endowed with their imposing credibility, these micro-influencers and prosumers have high potentials to be uplifted to brand ambassadors.Originality/valueWhile consumers' purchase outcome can be measured easily using metrics and analytics, the roles of source homophily in stages leading up to the purchase is still elusive. Drawing on the rich theoretical basis of source homophily may help researchers to understand not only how credibility and attitude are related to PI but also how this nexus generates positive word of mouth among UGC followers within the social media circles.

Antecedents and consequences of social media marketing use: an empirical study of the UK exporting B2B SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyad Eid ◽  
Ziad Abdelmoety ◽  
Gomaa Agag
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Antecedents And Consequences ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Purpose The social media have enabled companies to reach out to global markets and provided them with the opportunity to customize their strategies and offerings in an unprecedented way. Given the scant empirical evaluation of social media use in the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) business-to-business (B-to-B) context, this paper aims to offer a comprehensive description of the antecedents and consequences of social media use in international B-to-B SMEs and the way in which this use affects their export performance. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 277 British B-to-B SMEs and uses positivist research with a quantitative approach, adopting a survey strategy through questionnaires and structural equation modeling. Findings The results reveal that the use of social media influences export performance through the quality of international business contacts – understanding customers’ views and preferences, brand awareness and knowledge of the competition in various international markets. This study contributes to the emerging literature on B-to-B SMEs digital marketing by determining the mechanism through which B-to-B SMEs may benefit from using the social media in their efforts to export. Originality/value Despite the promising potential of the social media, especially for export-oriented companies, very limited attention has hitherto been paid to the relationship between the use of social media and export performance. This study attempts to fill the gap by investigating the extent to which actual use of social media impacts on the performance of exporting firms.

Nonprofits meet millennials: a hybrid approach of uses and gratifications and TAM to identify the drivers of monetary donation intention

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-449
Author(s):  
Bela Florenthal ◽  
Manar Awad ◽  
Susan Godar
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Donation Behavior ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are increasingly using social media outlets to target millennials for donations of time and money. This study aims to investigate the motivational drivers of millennials’ intention to donate money to charities on social media sites (SMSs). Design/methodology/approach A partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was used to test the proposed model. Findings The results indicate that both information seeking and entertainment, coupled with subjective norm, directly affect millennials’ intention to donate money to NPOs via SMSs. In addition, attitude toward engagement with NPOs on SMSs mediates the impact of credibility (fully, positively), irritation (fully, negatively) and entertainment (partially, positively) on behavior intention. Implications for practitioners are discussed. Originality/value An integration of two leading theories, Uses and An integration of two leading theories, Uses and Gratifications (U&G) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)—is used to examine the antecedents of donation behavior of this cohort as related to their engagement with NPOs on SMSs. Such an approach has not been used in the past to examine Millennials’ engagement with NPOs on SMSs.

Dark side of online social games (OSG) using Facebook platform: effect of age, gender, and identity as moderators

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Games ◽  
Social Game ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Game Players

PurposeOnline social games (OSG) possess unique characteristics that distinguish them from other kind of online games. Its overuse has brought addiction to it. In this perspective, the purpose of this study is to identify the factors impacting addiction of OSG and to investigate the role of age, gender and identity (students and non-students) to moderate addiction of OSG.Design/methodology/approachThis study has developed a research model by the help of literature review and different relevant theories. This model has been validated by survey method using feedbacks of 305 social game players. Structural equation modeling technique has been used to validate the model.FindingsThe study has been able to find key factors of social influence and individual influence (characteristics) that impact the intention of the online social games players to play social games that ultimately may cause addiction to online social games. Further, the study highlights that gender and identity (students and non-students) have no effects on the addictive behavior of the social game players, whereas age has a moderating impact.Practical implicationsThe results of this study have derived a set of rich guidelines to the policymakers and the management of social media platforms (like Facebook) toward framing policy and regulations on online social games.Originality/valueThe study has been able to uniquely highlight the dark side of online social games and its consequences. The study also provides a guideline to the policymakers, practitioners and online social game players on how to restrict its over usage that may prompt online social game addiction.

Effects of perceived brand authenticity in health functional food consumers

2019 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-634
Author(s):  
Jisun Lee ◽  
Lana Chung
Keyword(s):  
Brand Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Commitment ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Authenticity ◽  
Brand Relationship ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze how brand authenticity (BA) as perceived by consumers who take health functional foods (HFF) strengthen the brand relationship quality (BRQ) and positively affects brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach The five sub-dimensions of BA perceived by HFF consumers, elicited through a focus group interview, were conceptualized as a second-order reflective construct. To identify the influences of the sub-dimensions of BA on each construct of the BRQ and the influence on brand loyalty though mediating BRQ, an empirical analysis was done using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling. Findings All the sub-dimensions of BA positively affect each of the BRQ s (brand satisfaction, brand trust and brand commitment) excepting product authenticity on brand commitment, and originality on brand trust. The impact of BA positively affects brand loyalty by mediating brand relationship qualities. Originality/value It is found that BA is an important antecedent for forming BRQ with consumers in the HFF industry, in which building trust with consumers is important. BA is an important factor in brand management of HFF.

Measuring customer social participation in online travel communities

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 432-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shampy Kamboj ◽  
Zillur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
Customer Participation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
Service Companies

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a scale to measure customer social participation in brand communities, specifically e-travel companies’ communities. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research has been undertaken to generate a pool of items. Based on Churchill’s (1979) scale development process, numerous reliability and validity tests have been conducted to confirm the scale structure. Data were collected through online and field surveys from the students and hotel guests who have either subscribed, liked or joined any e-travel service companies’ community brand page using any social networking site or have ever posted or considered reviews and ratings of any e-travel service companies via their official site or via a mobile app while planning their travel. Findings The findings depict nine items on a three-dimensional scale for measuring customer participation in travel brand communities created on social networking sites. Research limitations/implications The findings provide important implications for hotel and travel managers and are likely to encourage future studies in the field of social media and travel brand communities. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature by providing refinement to the distinct operationalization and conceptualization of customer online participation, specifically in social media-based travel brand communities. This paper is the first to develop a multidimensional scale of customer social participation in e-travel companies’ communities. This is a new addition to existing literature, as the majority of empirical studies in this field are from participation other than customer social participation and contexts different from e-travel companies.

Consumer devotion to a different height

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 963-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Hassan ◽  
Luis V. Casaló Ariño
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Communities ◽  
Defensive Strategies ◽  
Defensive Behaviors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Negative Publicity ◽  
Potential Damage

Purpose – Effective handling of negative word of mouth in the social media has dramatic impact on customer retention, deflects potential damage and improves profitability. Although marketers enact various defensive strategies to combat such negative publicity, consumers are increasingly acting on behalf of marketers and new value creating behaviors are noticed within virtual brand communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore the kind of consumers’ defensive behaviors present within Facebook brand communities (FBCs). Design/methodology/approach – A netnographic approach guided the data collection. Data were gathered by downloading messages; only the threads related to member’s defensive behaviors were downloaded and archived. This resulted to 34 pages of data with 418 individual comments and 6,257 words in total. Findings – Data reveals that defensive behavior is practiced within Facebook, noticing that more diverse types of defensive behaviors are practiced in high involved products. Also, defensive behaviors are more prevalent within utilitarian rather than hedonic brands. Research limitations/implications – This study suggests that marketers should be open to engage and empower consumers to fulfill the role of defending the brand within brand communities first. Originality/value – This work adds to previous literature on handling complaints in social media by analyzing how devoted consumers may defend the brand against negative remarks done by other consumers in FBCs. This study not only confirms that defensive behaviors are apparent within the eight FBCs considered, but also investigates possible differences between high and low involved brands and also utilitarian and hedonic brands.

Consumer response to fake news about brands on social media: the effects of self-efficacy, media trust, and persuasion knowledge on brand trust

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zifei Fay Chen ◽  
Yang Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Persuasion Knowledge ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Knowledge Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Trust

Purpose Drawing on theoretical insights from the persuasion knowledge model (PKM), this study aims to propose and test a model that maps out the antecedents, process and consequences to explain how consumers process and respond to fake news about brands on Facebook. Design/methodology/approach Contextualizing the fake news about Coca-Cola’s recall of Dasani water, an online survey was conducted via Qualtrics with consumers in the USA (N  =  468). Data were analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling. Findings Results showed that self-efficacy and media trust significantly predicted consumers’ persuasion knowledge of the fake news. Persuasion knowledge of the fake news significantly influenced consumers’ perceived diagnosticity of the fake news and subsequent brand trust. Furthermore, persuasion knowledge of the fake news mediated the effects from self-efficacy on perceived diagnosticity of the fake news and brand trust, respectively. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature of brand management by examining how consumers process and respond to fake news about a brand. It also extends the persuasion knowledge model by applying it to the context of fake news about brands on social media, and incorporating antecedents (self-efficacy and media trust) and consequences (perceived diagnosticity and brand trust) of persuasion knowledge in this particular context. Practically, this study provides insights to key stakeholders of brands to better understand consumers’ information processing of fake news about brands on social media.

The impact of social media marketing activities on brand equity in the banking sector in Bangladesh: the mediating role of brand love and brand trust

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Hafez
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Switching Behavior ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Brand Trust ◽  
Brand Love ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis research aims to explore the impact of social media marketing (SMM) activities on brand equity (BE) in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Moreover, brand love and brand trust are examined as a mediator of SMM activities and BE.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a total of 289 banking customers in Bangladesh through a structured questionnaire and the hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results validated that SMM activities have no significant influence on BE directly. Furthermore, brand love fully mediates the linkage between SMM activities and BE. Likewise, brand trust was found to have a partial mediation effect on SMM activities and BE.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was based on a specific sector in a particular geographic area. Hence, cross-cultural studies on different sectors need to be conducted to generalize the findings of the current research.Practical implicationsThe study offers useful insights for bank marketers to successfully manage SMM activities that can generate consumer interest toward a bank's brand and prevent switching behavior. Furthermore, the proliferation of authentic brand-related information over a firms' social media pages can build strong brand trust, which in turn contributes to BE for the banks.Originality/valueThe study further extended the current knowledge by showing that how SMM activities influence BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh. Also, this study empirically corroborates the mediation influence of brand love and brand trust on SMM activities and BE in the banking sector in Bangladesh, which was rarely tested in prior studies. Hence, the findings will add value to the nascent literature of BE from an SMM perspective.

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