Mediating Role of Social Media on Online Shopping Behavior: Smart-PLS Approach
Consumer behaviour and decisions to buy from online retailers were increasingly influenced and changed by social media. Because of the never-ending advances in information technology, online shopping is becoming more popular. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the mediating effect of social media on online shopping behaviour in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was used, and a simple random sampling procedure was used to select three hundred and eighty (380) online shoppers. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling –Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). The analysis revealed that advertising had an insignificant effect on online shopping behaviour with a path coefficient (Beta value = 0.11; t value = 1.743; p= 0.082). There is positive relationship between advertising and social media effect (Beta value = 0.787; t value = 34.556; p= 0.000). the proposed relationship between social media effect and Online Shopping Behaviour (=0.378; t-value =5.735; p =0.000) is supported. In contrast, the projected relationship between Trust and Online Shopping Behaviour is (=0.466; t-value =12.817; p =0.000). Lastly, the result revealed there is a strong correlation between Trust and Online Shopping Behaviour.