Building relationships through customer engagement in Facebook brand pages

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 713-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanuka Mahesha de Silva
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Personal Identity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Specific Relationship ◽  
Relationship Outcomes

Purpose Social media brand pages have emerged as an influential relationship-building tool and continue to grow in popularity as an integral part of the marketing strategy across diverse industries. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for building relationships through customer engagement in Facebook brand pages (FBPs). Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 327 undergraduate Facebook users in Sri Lanka, the conceptual model of the study depicting relationships between eight latent constructs, is tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) in AMOS 21 statistical software. Findings The data analysis reveals that customer engagement with FBPs is positively influenced by customer motivations; information, remuneration, social interaction and personal identity in apparel/fashion, FMCG and hotel/restaurant FBPs. However, the relationship between entertainment motive and customer engagement is found to be insignificant. Additionally, customer engagement is found to be positively related to FBP trust and FBP commitment. Further, the study highlights that the different types of FBPs are guided by different relationship principles. Hence, the strength of the relationships between customer motivations and customer engagement, and, further, the relationships between customer engagement and FBP-specific relationship outcomes are dependent upon the type of the FBP. Moreover, customer engagement is found to be mediating the relationships between motivations (information, remuneration, social interaction and personal identity) and FBP trust. Practical implications The study provides strategies for FBP marketers. It emphasizes the value of FBPs as an effective marketing tool to build up relationships with customers. Marketers are advised to identify and address what customers expect from the FBPs to engage them on FBPs and strengthening their relationship with the FBP itself. Originality/value The study provides insights into the nature of engagement in FBPs by incorporating the motivations and FBP-specific relationship outcomes of customer engagement in a single framework. The study focuses on the development of a framework explaining the role of customer engagement in building customer relationships with the FBP itself, rather than with the brand.

The role of customer engagement in cultivating relationships with automotive Facebook brand pages

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanuka Mahesha de Silva
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Information Value ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Relationship ◽  
Relationship Outcomes

PurposeThe study aims to provide a theoretical framework of how information, entertainment and social interaction value associated with automotive Facebook brand pages (FBPs) in Sri Lanka influence customer engagement behaviors (CEBs), and further, how CEB is likely to result in FBP-specific relationship outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA printed questionnaire was used to collect the data from a convenience sample of 374 undergraduate Facebook users in Sri Lanka, and data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with AMOS 21.0.FindingsThe findings highlighted that information, entertainment and social interaction value positively influenced CEBs in automotive FBPs in Sri Lanka. Moreover, results showed that CEB had a positive influence on FBP trust, FBP commitment and FBP loyalty. Additionally, information value was found to positively influence FBP loyalty, while social interaction value had a positive influence on FBP trust and FBP commitment.Originality/valueThe study proposes a framework for relationship building in automotive FBPs by integrating values that drive CEBs and the FBP-specific relationship outcomes of CEBs. As such, the novelty of this paper is that it focuses on building customer relationships with the FBP, instead of the brand in the context of automotive FBPs in a developing country, Sri Lanka. Further, this study proposes some additional linkages between the constructs apart from testing the antecedents and FBP-specific relationship outcomes of CEBs.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-11-2019-0352

scholarly journals The Role of Cultural Differences in Customer Retention: Evidence from the High-Contact Service Industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 109634802110149
Author(s):  
Kim-Shyan Fam ◽  
Boon Liat Cheng ◽  
Tat-Huei Cham ◽  
Mandy Tan Chia Yi ◽  
Hiram Ting
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Difference ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Customer Orientation ◽  
Customer Retention ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling

Current tourism landscape and dynamism of the business environment have increased market competitiveness in the high-contact service industry. Hotel operators must now pay greater heed to customer retention by exploring ways to improve customer engagement and experience. Toward this end, this study aimed to examine the interplays between relationship marketing, perceived service quality, corporate image, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty, as well as the moderating effect of cultural difference between Asian and Western tourists. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from 400 international tourists and analyzed with the structural equation modeling technique. While the direct relationships pertaining the variables of interest were found to be significant, Asian tourists appeared to hold stricter standards in employee–customer interactions and satisfaction-based loyalty than Western tourists. Discussion and implications are provided to promote the development of fruitful hotel–customer relationships in this industry with a heightened customer orientation.

Exploring the influence of store attributes on customer experience and customer engagement

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1138-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhaily Mohd-Ramly ◽  
Nor Asiah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Department Store ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Store Attributes

Purpose The global retail landscape has changed drastically. The rising role of Asia as one of the fastest growing international retail penetration and expansion will continue to make the region to be the driving force in world economic growth. However, the ambitious expansion plans are making the retail sector to be more challenging. Emphasizing on the customer experience and enhancing the value proposition to customers are undeniably vital factors for the long-term survival of any retail business. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of store attributes on customer experience and customer engagement in the context of department store in Malaysia. Subsequently, the influence of customer experience on customer engagement is also analyzed. Design/methodology/approach Using drop and collect survey, 484 valid responses of department store cardholders of age 18 years and above in the area Klang Valley, Malaysia, were collected. PLS structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Findings Results revealed that customer experience is influenced by merchandise, store atmosphere, and loyalty program, while customer engagement is influenced by merchandise, communication, interpersonal communication, and loyalty. In contrast, post-transaction services were found to have non-significant impact on both customer experience and customer engagement. Analysis also revealed a strong relationship between customer experience and customer engagement. Research limitations/implications This study is carried out on customers of department store in Malaysia. However, the researchers urge other researchers to replicate the study from different countries and category of department stores. Originality/value Retail researchers recognize little knowledge on the contribution of store attributes to customer experience and customer engagement. This paper represents original research that encourages foreign retailers to employ service-dominant logic as a new marketing thought in designing strong customer engagement and experience strategies to capture the Malaysia market.

Building trust by signaling trustworthiness in service retail

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 361-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husni Kharouf ◽  
Donald J. Lund ◽  
Harjit Sekhon
Keyword(s):  
Customer Loyalty ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Customer Trust

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of retailer trustworthiness in driving customer trust and the subsequent impact on loyalty. The authors position trustworthiness as a mediator in the link between retail strategies and the development of trust. They model customer loyalty to the service retailer as a function of the trust created through trustworthy perceptions. Design/methodology/approach – The authors validate their model using 420 survey responses from customers in a service retail setting. Nine research hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Alternate models are estimated, and the results provide support for the theory-based trustworthiness mediation model. Findings – Trustworthy behaviors first build trustworthiness, which then translates into customer trust and ultimately has a positive impact on both behavioral and attitudinal loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The research highlights the importance for retailers to signal their trustworthiness to build customer trust and loyalty. Researchers should measure trustworthiness perceptions when examining customer relationships and managers should plan strategically to develop both trust and trustworthiness with their customers. Originality/value – This study is one of the first to investigate the mediating effect of trustworthiness on customer loyalty in service settings. While past research has investigated dimensions of trustworthy behaviors, none has included a measure of trustworthiness perceptions and consumer trust in the same theoretical model. The results of the research provide important insights for both researchers and managers.

Exploring the nexus of social media influencers and consumer brand engagement

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Lai Cheung ◽  
Wilson K.S. Leung ◽  
Morgan X. Yang ◽  
Kian Yeik Koay ◽  
Man Kit Chang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Motivational Factors ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Consumer Engagement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

PurposeGrounded in uses and gratification theory (UGT) and observational learning theory (OLT), this study aims to understand the impact of motivational factors on consumer-influencer engagement behaviors (CIEBs). Motivating factors, including entertainment, information seeking, reward and social interaction, are regarded as antecedents of consumers' OLT, as manifested by CIEB dimensions, including consumption, contribution and creation, and subsequently drive consumer engagement with the endorsed brands.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was distributed to Malaysian social media users. A total of 263 responses were collected and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine the impact of motivational factors on CIEBs.FindingsThe results show that the three dimensions of CIEBs can be predicted by different gratifications (information seeking, entertainment, reward and interaction). In addition, two of the CIEB dimensions, consumption and contribution, were found to have a significant positive influence on consumers' engagement with endorsed brands.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights into how social media influencers (SMIs) could lead to CIEBs by creating entertaining and rewarding content that facilitates social interaction between consumers. SMIs and marketers that encourage consumers to browse, comment and share SMI-created posts will enhance consumer engagement with the endorsed brands, as engagement is driven by the consumption and contribution to SMI-created content.Originality/valueSMI marketing is increasing, and many brands are beginning to rely more on SMIs to promote brands. Yet, there is a dearth of studies that have examined how SMIs play a role in affecting consumers' engagement with endorsed brands. This study contributes to the marketing literature by developing and empirically testing the research model. Results suggest that social interaction, reward and entertainment are key motivational factors that drive CIEBs, which, in turn, foster consumer engagement with endorsed brands.

The role of Islamic marketing ethics towards customer satisfaction

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1001-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aamir Abbas ◽  
Qasim Ali Nisar ◽  
Mahmood A. Husain Mahmood ◽  
Abderrahim Chenini ◽  
Ahsan Zubair
Keyword(s):  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Scale Validation ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Customer Relationships ◽  
Marketing Ethics ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Islamic marketing ethics focus on the principles of equity, justice and value maximization for the welfare of society. These ethics play a vital role in elevating the standards of customer behavior. The strategy of focusing customer is now considered as important element because of rapidly changing marketing trends in Islamic banks. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the important features of Islamic marketing ethics and identify their effect on customer’s satisfaction in Islamic banking. Design/methodology/approach This study is descriptive and quantitative. Data were collected from 1000 customers of Islamic banks by applying convenient sampling technique. Smart PLS was used to check the scale validation by confirmatory factor analysis. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modeling technique was used. Findings Results enlightened that Islamic marketing ethics play a significant role in enhancing the customer’s satisfaction. Islamic banks should focus on marketing mix along with Islamic and ethical perspectives to improve the customer’s satisfaction level. Practical implications This study highlighted that Islamic marketing ethics have great impact on customer satisfaction. Therefore, Islamic banks need to concentrate on the ethical perspective of Islamic marketing in order to develop long term customer relationships. Islamic banks need to revise their marketing practices, and they should align their marketing tactics with ethical Islamic boundaries. They need to design, communicate and enforce the code of Islamic ethics within organizations. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to study how Islamic marketing ethics effect customer satisfaction.

Impact of website attributes on customer engagement in banking: a solicitation of stimulus-organism-response theory

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1279-1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamid Ul Islam ◽  
Shadma Shahid ◽  
Aaleya Rasool ◽  
Zillur Rahman ◽  
Imran Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Relational Dynamics ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Website Interactivity ◽  
Customer Trust

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how banking websites can activate customer engagement (CE) to consequently enhance customer trust and retention.Design/methodology/approachUsing an online survey, data were collected from 598 customers of various (public and private) banks in India. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsResults reveal that the key website attributes viz. website interactivity, website aesthetics, customization, ease of use and telepresence positively affect CE. The results also delineate positive associations between CE, customer trust and customer retention.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper unravels that by strategically focusing on the relational dynamics of CE, banks can build trust and retain their most valuable stakeholders – the customers, thereby addressing the crucial strategic concerns of banking firms.Originality/valueThis research is the first to explore the effects of key website attributes on CE in the banking context. The undertaking of this study in an emerging economy adds further insight into CE literature by generalizing the applicability of CE studies across geographic contexts.

Sense of belonging based on novel posting

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian-Chao Guo ◽  
Zhi-Chao Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Sense Of Belonging ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Psychological Outcomes ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose – Although novel posting is a universal phenomenon in virtual communities (VCs), few studies have addressed the benefits of novel posting for group members. The purpose of this paper is to identify the social and psychological outcomes of novel posting, particularly whether and how sense of belonging can be produced by it. Sense of belonging implies an individual’s integration or assimilation into virtual groups. Design/methodology/approach – To assess the theoretical model, a survey was administered in an internet discussion community (Baidu Post Bar in China), and structural equation modeling was then used to test the model. Findings – Novel posting can produce social and psychological outcomes, such as social interaction ties, group-based self-esteem and sense of belonging. Novel posting is an individualized behavior, which some studies consider to conflict with sense of belonging; however, via the mediating effects of social interaction ties and group-based self-esteem, sense of belonging can also arise based on novel posting. Practical implications – VC operators should focus on differentiating between irrational posts and novel posts and encourage the latter. Additionally, to satisfy members’ needs, VC operators should strengthen the degree of social interaction ties and members’ self-esteem by providing attractive topics and virtual rankings. Originality/value – This study contributes to a theoretical understanding of the social and psychological outcomes of novel posting and, more importantly, whether and how sense of belonging arises on the basis of individualized behavior.

Social interaction and effectiveness of the online learning – A moderating role of maintaining social distance during the pandemic COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasnan Baber
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe pandemic of COVID-19 has pushed most of the classroom learning to an online environment with which most of the people were not familiar. This study aims to investigate the importance of social interaction on the effectiveness of online learning during the pandemic when social distancing norms are in place.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the partial least square (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM) approach, a nonparametric method based on total variance, using the SmartPLS software 3.0. The data were collected using the snowball sampling technique from the students who were learning online due to the pandemic COVID-19 and asked them to forward the survey link in their network.FindingsThe results suggested that social interaction has a positive significant impact on the effectiveness of online learning. However, this effect is reduced in the presence of social distance norms as people give more importance to continuous learning and to saving lives rather than socializing in the online environment.Originality/valueThe study will be helpful for instructors and educational institutes to formalize the strategies to enhance social interaction in online learning and analyze their pedagogy to improve effectiveness.

Empirical study of relationship value in industrial services

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 228-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Barry ◽  
Tamara S. Terry
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Culture ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Industrial Services ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Relationship Value

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assist industrial service providers in building relationships that maximize value to their customers. The study aims to add to relationship value research by examining its dimensions, antecedents, outcomes, and cross‐culture relevance.Design/methodology/approachUsing structural equation modeling, the study examines the influence that relationship value has on commitment and intentions, as well as the determinants of value encompassing the core offering, sourcing process and buyer operations. The sample covers 42 countries for cross‐cultural perspectives.FindingsBy understanding the factors creating relationship value, providers are more likely to build enduring relationships with their buyers. Findings confirm that commitment and intentions are influenced by relationship value, which, in turn, is impacted by benefits such as performance, efficiency, and reliability as well as comparative costs and switching costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is oriented more towards industrial services. Further research is encouraged that extends the study domain to consumer and professional services.Originality/valueThe research demonstrates the mediating influence that relationship value has on behavioral outcomes. Especially important to global service providers, this knowledge is then extended beyond the traditionally studied single‐country settings to a world perspective, while extending the field of relationship value into the largely ignored industrial services sector.

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