The Role of Social Media Marketing Activities on International Students’ Brand Preference: A Study on English-Speaking Universities of Germany

Abstract

This study investigates the influences of social media marketing activities (SMMAs) on brand preference by focussing on the mediation influence of brand recognisability and the moderator influence of brand signature in higher education institutions in Germany. A total of 257 students were surveyed and the data gathered were tested through partial least squares structural equation modelling. The findings demonstrated that higher-education institutions’ SMMAs had a significant effect on both brand recognisability and students’ brand preference. The findings also empirically proved the significant mediator influence of brand recognisability and the moderator influence of brand signature upon the association of higher education institutions’ SMMAs and students’ brand preference. It is anticipated that the findings of this research could be utilised as a significant solution in the improvement of higher education institutions’ SMMAs, specifically focussing on the significance of each component of SMMAs.

Citation

Arici, H.E. and Arici, N.C. (2021), "The Role of Social Media Marketing Activities on International Students’ Brand Preference: A Study on English-Speaking Universities of Germany", Shneikat, B., Cobanoglu, C. and Tanova, C. (Ed.) Global Perspectives on Recruiting International Students: Challenges and Opportunities, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 51-64. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-518-720211003