Search results

1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 26 March 2024

Monika Rawal, Jose Luis Saavedra Torres, Ramin Bagherzadeh, Suchitra Rani and Joanna Melancon

This study aims to understand the effect of cultural dimension (individualism/ collectivism) on promotional rewards (social or economic) resulting in incentivizing consumers to…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the effect of cultural dimension (individualism/ collectivism) on promotional rewards (social or economic) resulting in incentivizing consumers to engage in electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), further impacting their repurchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, a 2 (culture: individualism vs collectivism) × 2 (promotional rewards: social vs economic) between-subjects design was used. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. In Study 2, culture was measured instead of just being manipulated. The authors used regression analysis in this study.

Findings

Owing to the characteristics of collectivistic individuals, consumers in collectivistic cultures were more likely to respond to social rewards as an incentive to engage in eWOM. However, consumers in individualistic cultures were more motivated to engage in eWOM when economic rewards were offered.

Originality/value

Despite the global nature of eWOM, little research has explored the effects of cultural traits on consumer response to amplified eWOM strategy. Additionally, though many organizations now offer various promotional incentives to reviewers, little research has explored the effects of promotional offers on a reviewer’s subsequent behavior, and no research has explored the relationship between cultural dimensions and current and future response to promotional eWOM rewards.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2024

Amy Dorie and David Loranger

The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of apparel-related critical incidents that motivate both Generation Z and Y consumers to share electronic word-of-mouth…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of apparel-related critical incidents that motivate both Generation Z and Y consumers to share electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) via specific online channels.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research used an exploratory mixed-methods approach.

Findings

Qualitative findings of critical incidents revealed that the main situations that led to the spread of eWOM involved new purchases (49%), product quality (21%), pricing and promotions (19%), complaints (9%) and brand content (48%). Participants were motivated to spread information about the critical incidents by a desire to connect with friends and family (83%), help others (37%), influence others (48%) and express brand loyalty (32%). Quantitative results indicated significant relationships between critical incidents, motivations and eWOM channel choice.

Research limitations/implications

This study has theoretical implications for apparel researchers attempting to gain insight into critical incidents that motivate consumers to engage in eWOM on specific channels in a positive or negative manner.

Practical implications

These findings are important for marketers as it appears that brand content does an efficient job at driving engagement on SM; marketers need to increase efforts to engage with consumers via feedback on websites, as this is an opportunity to counteract negative experiences and retain consumers’ loyalty.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current research is the first to extend theories of communication and motivation to connect critical incidents with situational intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for spreading eWOM via online channels for Millennial and Generation Z consumers.

Details

Journal of Consumer Marketing, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0736-3761

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Ismail Juma Ismail

The current research aims at investigating the mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on the link between entrepreneurial education and choice of the university among…

Abstract

Purpose

The current research aims at investigating the mediating effect of electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on the link between entrepreneurial education and choice of the university among students. The main focus of this paper is that when entrepreneurial education is properly-implemented at universities, it leads to several positive outcomes such as positive eWOM. Therefore, if the entrepreneurial education is used as a marketing model, it can be considered as the innovative model for attracting more students. By implementing this model, the university can enhance its approach to cultivating a positive image, potentially leading to increased student enrollments.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 483 undergraduate students in different universities. As well, it used a structured questionnaire during the data collection. Additionally, the study used partial least squares (PLS-SEM) in analyzing direct and indirect relationships.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that entrepreneurial education and eWOM are critical factors for student selection to the universities. This is because eWOM significant mediates the link between entrepreneurial education and university choice.

Research limitations/implications

This study used cross-sectional design. Therefore, future research can use a longitudinal design in examining the link between independent and dependent variables so as to look into the changes over time.

Practical implications

The study presents potential strategies that universities can employ to market their programs more effectively. By strengthening their entrepreneurial education initiatives, universities can enhance their reputation and create positive eWOM, which can lead to higher enrollments.

Originality/value

This study offers innovative marketing approaches for universities and their programs. Instead of heavily investing in advertising, the study suggests that strengthening entrepreneurial education initiatives can be a more effective marketing strategy. The findings suggest that a positive reputation generated by strong entrepreneurial education initiatives can lead to positive eWOM, which, in turn, influences university selection. Therefore, universities can consider enhancing their entrepreneurial education offerings to attract more prospective students. The study also highlights the notion that quality speaks for itself, while a lack of quality requires advertising.

Details

International Journal of Educational Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-354X

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 9 February 2023

Kristína Medeková, Kristína Pompurová and Ivana Šimočková

Interest in the Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) in connection with tourism is constantly growing not only among consumers but also among theoreticians. Therefore, the objective of…

Abstract

Interest in the Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) in connection with tourism is constantly growing not only among consumers but also among theoreticians. Therefore, the objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of studies that focus on eWOM in the tourism sector using the snowball method. The article is based on a review of the literature of 60 studies that focus not only on consumer behavior in tourism and the impact of eWOM on tourism supply but also on the impact of hotel managers' responses to other consumer behavior and tourism companies. The results of the studies show that eWOM has a significant impact not only on consumer behavior but also on tourism supply. Manager responses can also strongly affect other consumer behavior in decision-making. When eWOM is distributed, consumers are influenced by their emotions, motives, and also by the websites to which they have decided to contribute. The chapter proposes further research areas for different authors.

Details

Online Reputation Management in Destination and Hospitality
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-376-8

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2023

Honglei Li and Eric W.K. See-To

This study aims at building a framework for the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) response under the social media environment. The elaboration likelihood model was adopted to…

1126

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims at building a framework for the electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) response under the social media environment. The elaboration likelihood model was adopted to explain how message source credibility and message appeal jointly influence the eWOM response process, while source credibility provides a central route and message appeal plays a peripheral route for information processing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a scenario design to test the decision behavior in the Facebook environment through message content manipulation. A convenience sampling method was adopted in this study. We collected 203 valid questionnaires and tested this research model with LISREL 8.8. This study used a two-stage structural equation modeling data analysis method with LISREL 8.8, by which the measurement model was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis for the reliability and validity of the research model, and the causal relationship among factors was assessed through exploratory factor analysis .

Findings

The results showed that 53% variance of eWOM responses could be explained by message source credibility and emotional message appeal from the elaboration likelihood model perspective. Message source credibility plays a central role in the social media environment. The model was further tested with a demographic profile analysis for both gender and age. It is found that a female user is influenced by both source credibility and emotional appeal, but a male user is only influenced by message source credibility. The mature age group is more responsive to eWOM messages.

Research limitations/implications

The sample might not represent all social networking sites (SNS) users. The participants represent a small segment of the Facebook population around the globe. Secondly, this research design could be improved by using more recreational messages to test the effects of message appeal and message source credibility. Thirdly, the mobile phone is a type of physical product rather than an experiential product. Future studies could try to identify the same eWOM determinants with different SNS functions, for example, the inbox message function. Similarly, Facebook users are allowed to use both text and pictures to disseminate promotional messages.

Practical implications

This study provides an insight for SNS administrators regarding the determinants of driving more customer responses toward a message. Message source credibility and message appeal are identified as the antecedents for eWOM responses in SNS. Companies could make use of this finding to improve their marketing communication strategy in SNS. The finding can inform administrators of the importance of focusing on both customers’ psychological state and message attributes during the dissemination of promotional messages to improve the efficiency of the promotional effort. Companies aimed at receiving different types of eWOM responses in SNS may need to consider other factors for creating their promotional messages.

Originality/value

Previous studies have mainly identified factors influencing eWOM responses from the people-centered variables such as personal traits and social relationships. This study proposes that the eWOM response is a dual information processing process that can be explained by the ELM. When a user processes information in SNS, he follows both the central route and the peripheral route (i.e. source credibility and message appeal) which can influence the eWOM response. It is the first time that the source credibility is investigated as the central route in ELM model.

Details

Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2754-4214

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 27 November 2023

Gustavo Quiroga Souki, Alessandro Silva de Oliveira, Marco Túlio Correa Barcelos, Maria Manuela Martins Guerreiro, Júlio da Costa Mendes and Luiz Rodrigo Cunha Moura

Hotels offer high-quality guest experiences to positively impact their emotions, satisfaction, perceived value, word-of-mouth (WOM) and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). This study…

Abstract

Purpose

Hotels offer high-quality guest experiences to positively impact their emotions, satisfaction, perceived value, word-of-mouth (WOM) and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). This study aims to investigate the impacts of the quality perceived by hotel guests on their positive emotions, negative emotions, perceived value and satisfaction; verify the impacts of the price on perceived value and satisfaction; examine the impacts of satisfaction on WOM and eWOM; and test the moderating effect of hotel guests’ behavioural engagement on social networking sites (HGBE-SNS) on the relationship between satisfaction and eWOM.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey included 371 guests who assessed their experiences at three Brazilian hotels. Structural equation modelling tested the hypothetical model supported by the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theory (Mehrabian and Russell, 1974).

Findings

The quality perceived by hotel guests (stimulus) positively impacts perceived value, positive emotions and satisfaction and negatively affects negative emotions (organism). Price (stimulus) negatively impacts perceived value but does not affect satisfaction. Perceived value positively impacts satisfaction. Satisfaction positively impacts WOM and eWOM (responses). The HGBE-SNS moderates the relationship between satisfaction and eWOM.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that simultaneously demonstrates the relationships between perceived quality, price, perceived value, positive and negative emotions, satisfaction, WOM, eWOM and HGBE-SNS. Hotels must offer their guests high-quality services to positively impact’ perceived value, positive emotions, satisfaction and WOM. Low prices boost the perceived value but do not directly increase guest satisfaction. Satisfied hotel guests share their experiences via WOM, but high HGBE-SNS is crucial to boost eWOM.

Propósito

Los hoteles ofrecen experiencias de alta calidad a sus huéspedes para influir positivamente en sus emociones, satisfacción, valor percibido, boca a boca (WOM) y boca a boca electrónico (eWOM). Este estudio tiene como objetivo a) investigar el impacto de la calidad percibida por los huéspedes del hotel en sus emociones positivas, emociones negativas, valor percibido y satisfacción; b) verificar el impacto del precio en el valor percibido y la satisfacción; c) examinar el impacto de la satisfacción en el WOM y eWOM; d) probar el efecto moderador del compromiso conductual de los huéspedes del hotel en las redes sociales (HGBE-SNS) en la relación entre satisfacción y eWOM.

Diseño

En esta encuesta participaron 371 huéspedes que evaluaron sus experiencias en tres hoteles brasileños. La modelización de ecuaciones estructurales puso a prueba el modelo hipotético apoyado en la teoría estímulo-organismo-respuesta (S-O-R) (Mehrabian y Russell, 1974).

Conclusiones

La calidad percibida por los clientes del hotel (estímulo) influye positivamente en el valor percibido, las emociones positivas y la satisfacción, y negativamente en las emociones negativas (organismo). El precio (estímulo) afecta negativamente al valor percibido, pero no a la satisfacción. El valor percibido afecta positivamente a la satisfacción. La satisfacción afecta positivamente al WOM y al eWOM (respuestas). El HGBE-SNS modera la relación entre satisfacción y eWOM.

Originalidad/valor

Este estudio es el primero que demuestra simultáneamente las relaciones entre calidad percibida, precio, valor percibido, emociones positivas y negativas, satisfacción, WOM, eWOM y HGBE-SNS. Los hoteles deben ofrecer a sus clientes servicios de alta calidad para influir positivamente en el valor percibido, las emociones positivas, la satisfacción y el WOM. Los precios bajos aumentan el valor percibido pero no incrementan directamente la satisfacción de los huéspedes. Los huéspedes satisfechos comparten sus experiencias a través del WOM, pero un alto nivel de HGBE-SNS es crucial para impulsar el eWOM.

目的

酒店提供高质量的宾客体验, 对宾客的情绪、满意度、感知价值、口碑(WOM)和电子口碑(eWOM)产生积极影响。本研究旨在 a) 调查酒店客人感知到的质量对其积极情绪、消极情绪、感知价值和满意度的影响; b) 验证价格对感知价值和满意度的影响; c) 检验满意度对 WOM 和电子口碑的影响; d) 检验酒店客人在社交网站上的行为参与(HGBE-SNS)对满意度和电子口碑之间关系的调节作用。

设计

本次调查包括 371 位客人, 他们对自己在巴西三家酒店的入住体验进行了评估。结构方程模型检验了由刺激-组织-反应(S-O-R)理论(Mehrabian 和 Russell, 1974 年)支持的假设模型。

研究结果

酒店客人感知到的质量(刺激因素)对感知价值、积极情绪和满意度有积极影响, 而对消极情绪(有机体)有消极影响。价格(刺激因素)对感知价值有负面影响, 但不影响满意度。感知价值对满意度有积极影响。满意度对 WOM 和 eWOM(反应)产生积极影响。HGBE-SNS 可调节满意度与网络口碑之间的关系。

原创性/价值

本研究首次同时展示了感知质量、价格、感知价值、积极和消极情绪、满意度、WOM、eWOM 和 HGBE-SNS 之间的关系。酒店必须为客人提供高质量的服务, 才能对 “感知价值"、"积极情绪"、"满意度 “和 “WOM “产生积极影响。低价会提升感知价值, 但不会直接提高客人满意度。满意的酒店客人会通过 WOM 分享他们的体验, 但高 HGBE-SNS 对促进 eWOM 至关重要。

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2024

Shalom Levy, Yaniv Gvili and Hayiel Hino

Social media sites facilitate electronic word of mouth (eWOM) communication among consumers of diverse cultures and ethnicities. Based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB)…

Abstract

Purpose

Social media sites facilitate electronic word of mouth (eWOM) communication among consumers of diverse cultures and ethnicities. Based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the present research proposes a conceptual framework for minority consumers' engagement in eWOM associated with the mainstream culture. The model incorporates social capital and social interaction as key factors that affect cross-cultural eWOM communication between minority and mainstream consumers. This research also aims to explore the responses of minority consumers to eWOM communications originating with members of the majority group.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural equation modelling (SEM) procedure was applied to data collected from social media (Facebook) users (N = 539) from two minority communities: Israeli Arab and Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Jewish minorities.

Findings

The findings show that: (a) minority consumers' engagement with eWOM is indirectly related to social capital, (b) this relationship is mediated by minority consumers' attitudes and their subjective norms regarding eWOM engagement with dominant cultural groups, (c) social interaction of minorities with the dominant culture enhances the influence of social capital on eWOM engagement and (d) behavioural engagement with eWOM varies across cultural minorities, depending on the minority group’s unique cultural characteristics.

Practical implications

The findings have managerial implications for practitioners who use social media in their marketing and business activities, as they demonstrate that the effectiveness of eWOM communication is contingent on the cultural characteristics of the ethnic minority consumer groups being targeted by managers.

Originality/value

The present research contributes to the theory of consumer engagement by demonstrating that engagement is contingent on the intercultural social context in which eWOM is communicated.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2015

Hyejin Yoon

This study attempts to investigate how electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM), consisting of (1) opinion seeking, (2) opinion giving, and (3) opinion passing, influences consumers’…

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate how electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM), consisting of (1) opinion seeking, (2) opinion giving, and (3) opinion passing, influences consumers’ purchasing intentions for tourism services on Social Networking Sites (SNSs). Two hundred and seventy three American college students participate in a self-administered survey concerning their use of SNSs and ways of making online recommendations. Based on four hierarchical regression analyses, this study finds that both opinion seeking and opinion passing significantly influence respondents’ purchasing intentions. Additionally, time spent on SNS use reveals a positive relationship with opinion seeking and opinion passing. The conclusion of the present study highlights the eWOM as a cost-effective communication tool for tourism marketing and renders practical and theoretical implications along with suggestions for future research.

Details

Advances in Hospitality and Leisure
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-271-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2024

Mehmood Khan, Mian M. Ajmal, Amin Jan, Haseeb Ur Rahman and Muhammad Zahid

Literature shows that the antecedents of eWoM have received limited attention and the present scales used for measuring eWoM in the hospitality and tourism industry are outdated…

Abstract

Purpose

Literature shows that the antecedents of eWoM have received limited attention and the present scales used for measuring eWoM in the hospitality and tourism industry are outdated. Therefore, this study aims to construct a new scale for the generation of positive eWoM in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a novel scale on eWoM based on the four dimensions of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.

Findings

The exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis confirms the factorial structure of the new scale. The exploratory factor analysis shows that “performance expectancy” has the highest impact on the constitution of positive eWoM with 8 items, followed by “social influence” and “facilitation condition” with 5 items each. The factor “effort expectancy” is found to have the lowest impact on the constitution of positive eWoM in the hospitality and tourism industry with 3 items. The confirmatory factor analysis in terms of the construct reliability, average variance extracted and maximum shared variance tests confirmed the model validity of the new scale.

Originality/value

This study ensures measuring eWoM with the latest norms that will assist in prudent policy formulation. These results insights into policymakers from the hospitality and tourism industry for the generation of positive eWoM towards their business which will help them achieve better customer loyalty.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2023

Sunil Sahadev, Sean Chung, Mustafeed Zaman, Indria Handoko, Tan Vo-Thanh, Nguyen Phong Nguyen and Rajeev Kumra

The study aims to look at deep eWOM providing behaviour in m-commerce and attempts to explore its antecedents. Personalisation is proposed as an indirect antecedent of deep eWOM

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to look at deep eWOM providing behaviour in m-commerce and attempts to explore its antecedents. Personalisation is proposed as an indirect antecedent of deep eWOM providing behaviour mediated by hedonic and utilitarian value perceptions and personal identification.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on social-exchange theory, the conceptual model links the study antecedents to deep eWOM providing behaviour. The conceptual model was validated through a multi-country study. A large sample of m-commerce users in the UK (n = 505), India (n = 422) and Vietnam (n = 618) were contacted to collect the data. Data were analysed through structural equations modelling procedure with invariance analysis conducted to ensure that the results from the three samples could be compared. The authors also conducted post-hoc analysis to explore the mediation paths between variables.

Findings

The study finds support to the conceptual model across the samples from the three countries. Personalisation is found to increase value perceptions – both utilitarian and hedonic – and personal identification which leads to “deep” eWOM providing behaviour across all the three countries. The serial mediation also provides comparable results across the three countries.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the understanding of deep eWOM providing behaviour – a construct with high practical relevance which has however not been explored sufficiently in current literature. The study also contributes to the literature that analyses the consequences of personalisation in m-commerce.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 2000