PERCEIVED SOURCE CHARACTERISTICS OF e-WOM SENDERS EFFECTS ON PURCHASE INTENTIONS AND BEHAVIOURS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN THE UAE

The popularity and power of Electronic Word of Mouth (e-WOM) have raised the attention of academia and businesses in the past decade. A plethora of relevant literature investigated the motives of the sender to engage in e-WOM, besides the actual content of the message, leaving unanswerable questions concerning the receiver’s perception of the message and the interpersonal similarities with the sender. This study aimed at filling this gap by assessing the potential impact of e-WOM cues on the receiver experimentally by consulting i) social comparison theory, and ii) social judgment theory. Two experiments were designed and conducted incorporating mixed-method research to address gender and cultural similarities between the sender and receiver within the concept of eateries in the UAE. The generated results unveiled that the sender credibility of e-WOM is influenced by the relationship between the sender and the receiver. The research implications for the researchers in the domain added theoretically further knowledge of e-WOM that influences from a receiver perspective. Professionally, it could enhance managerial knowledge of cross-cultural effects on consumer choices and purchase intentions to direct future marketing strategies. This research also adds to the welfare of both senders and receivers of e- WOM regarding understanding motives for sending and receiving e-WOM

eWOM & Referrals in Social Network Services

If a few decades ago the development of the Internet was instrumental in the interconnection between markets, nowadays the services provided by Web 2.0, such as social network sites (SNS) are the cutting edge. A proof of this trend is the exponential growth of social network users. The main objective of this work is to explore the mechanisms that promote the transmission and reception (WOM and referrals) of online opinions, in the context of the SNS, by buyers of travel services. The research includes some research lines: technology acceptance model (TAM), Social Identification Theory and Word-of-Mouth communication in virtual environment (eWOM). Based on these theories an explicative model has been proposed applying SEM analysis to a sample of SNS users’ of tourist service buyers. The results support the majority of the hypotheses and some relevant practical and theoretical implications have been pointed out for tourist managers

Social influence model and electronic word of mouth: PC versus mobile internet

Compared with laptop or desktop computers, mobile devices offer greater flexibility in time and space, thus enabling consumers to be connected online more continually. In addition, their small size, portability and ease of use with location-based capabilities facilitate sending and receiving timely information in the right place. Drawing upon a social influence model proposed by Dholakia et al. (2004), this paper proposes a causal model for consumer participation in electronic word of mouth (eWOM), and compares the effects of PC-based and mobile-based eWOM (hereafter pcWOM and mWOM, respectively). The paper posits social identity, motivations (purposive value, social enhancement and intrinsic enjoyment), inherent novelty seeking and opinion leadership as antecedents affecting desire (individual-level driver) and social intention (grouplevel driver) to engage in eWOM. A total of 271 survey responses were collected from consumers in Japan. The proposed model fits the data reasonably well; all hypotheses are supported. The results reveal that desire only partially mediates the effects on social intention of social identity. Compared with pcWOM participants, mWOM participants exhibit significantly higher perceptions on social intention, intrinsic enjoyment and cognitive social identity. After recognising important limitations, theoretical implications are discussed and future research directions suggested

The audience response to different referral reward programs’ designs in social networking sites

The growing connectivity of customers through Social Networking Sites (SNSs), the increasing acknowledgment of the power of online reviews, and the enrichment of brand-consumer relations online have led to a rise in interest around electronic word of mouth (eWOM). These realizations led marketers to embrace strategies to stimulate and amplify eWOM, and one common technique is the delivery incentives (e.g., rewards). Expanding research show that the design of incentivized eWOM programs, namely Referral Reward Programs (RRPs), is expected to determine the overall effectiveness of those programs. To be successful, RRPs need a high likelihood of referral from the referral provider and a high receptivity from the referral receiver. Thus, this thesis further examines the recipient's perspective and role in RRPs in Social Networking Sites. The main goal of this dissertation is to analyze the impact of different reward allocations and tie strength, i.e., the relationship between the recommender and the receiver, on eWOM receivers' responses to RRPs. To do so, this thesis drew upon the Persuasion Knowledge Model to analyze these relations, mainly focusing on three RRPs outcomes: review credibility, brand attitude, and purchase intentions. To extract relevant conclusions, a research model and hypothesis were developed, based on a previously elaborated literature review, containing the main concepts, theories, and models that hold the present research. An experimental design was conducted employing an online questionnaire to test the research model, which gathered 526 responses. Finally, the results were discussed, and both theoretical and practical implications were deduced.A crescente conectividade entre consumidores, a gradual descoberta do poder das recomendações, e o enriquecimento das relações marca-consumidor por meio de Sites de Redes Sociais, levaram a um crescente interesse em torno do passa-a-palavra eletrónico. Consequentemente, os profissionais de marketing começaram a adotar estratégias para estimular e ampliar essa poderosa ferramenta. Uma técnica comum é a oferta de incentivos (por exemplo, recompensas). A literatura mostra que a estrutura de um programa de passa-a-palavra eletrónico incentivado, nomeadamente, de Programas de Recompensa por Referência, é fundamental para a eficácia dos mesmos. Reconhecendo que, para serem eficazes, os Programas de Referência por Recompensa precisam, tanto da iniciativa do transmissor, como da adesão do recetor, esta dissertação explora a perspetiva e o papel do recetor nestes programas, em Sites de Redes Sociais. Deste modo, o seu principal objetivo é analisar o impacto de diferentes alocações de recompensas e forças das ligações (i.e., relação entre o transmissor e o recetor) nas respostas dos recetores a Programas de Referência por Recompensa. Para tal, o Modelo de Conhecimento de Persuasão foi utilizado a fim de analisar três indicadores: credibilidade da recomendação, atitude perante a marca e intenção de compra. Para extrair conclusões relevantes, foram desenvolvidos um modelo conceptual e um conjunto de hipóteses, com base numa revisão da literatura que aborda os principais conceitos, teorias e modelos que sustentam a presente pesquisa. A posteriori, foi realizado um questionário online, que reuniu 526 respostas. Por último, os resultados foram discutidos e as implicações teóricas e práticas foram apresentadas

Segmenting customers according to online word-of-mouth about hotels

There is a renewed interest in the study of online word-of-mouth behavior due to the increasing use of the Internet and the development of social networks. This paper focuses on the receiver perspective to analyze the unequal influence of the antecedents of online consumer searches. The main purpose is to detect the heterogeneity of the effect of different motivations (convenience, risks reduction and social reassurance) and the volume of comments on the willingness to check online reviews. Based on 393 guests of hotels, a mixture regression model indicates the existence of three internally consistent segments, which reveal the varying influence on consumer intentions to look at online comments

Conceptualizing the Electronic Word-of-Mouth Process: What We Know and Need to Know About eWOM Creation, Exposure, and Evaluation

Electronic word of mouth (eWOM) is a prevalent consumer practice that has undeniable effects on the company bottom line, yet it remains an over-labeled and under-theorized concept. Thus, marketers could benefit from a practical, science-based roadmap to maximize its business value. Building on the consumer motivation–opportunity–ability framework, this study conceptualizes three distinct stages in the eWOM process: eWOM creation, eWOM exposure, and eWOM evaluation. For each stage, we adopt a dual lens—from the perspective of the consumer (who sends and receives eWOM) and that of the marketer (who amplifies and manages eWOM for business results)—to synthesize key research insights and propose a research agenda based on a multidisciplinary systematic review of 1050 academic publications on eWOM published between 1996 and 2019. We conclude with a discussion of the future of eWOM research and practice

PERBEDAAN PERSEPSI RISIKO KONSUMEN DALAM PEMBELIAN PRODUK FASHION TOKO DARING DITINJAU DARI SIFAT ELECTRONIC WORD OF MOUTH (eWOM)

PERBEDAAN PERSEPSI RISIKO KONSUMEN DALAM PEMBELIAN PRODUK FASHION TOKO DARING DITINJAU DARI SIFAT ELECTRONIC WORD OF MOUTH (eWOM) Husnul Khotimah1*, Lukman2, Resekiani Mas Bakar 3 1 2 3Fakultas Psikologi, Universitas Negeri Makassar. Indonesia Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT Online shopping is considered risky because consumers can’t see the items to be purchased directly, which raises consumer perceived risk. The perceived risk is influenced by several factors, one of them was electronic word of mouth (eWOM). This experimental research aims to determine the differences in consumer perceived risk seen from the eWOM valence received by each group (positive, negative, neutral). Participants of this study were women (15-32 years) who had online shopped for fashion products and had experienced unpleasant experience (N = 57). The result of Kruskal-Wallis test showed that there is a significant difference in consumer perceived risk seen from the eWOM valence given p = 0.029 (p<0.05). The result of Mann-Whitney test showed that there is a significant difference in perceived risk between the groups that get positive - negative eWOM and the negative - neutral group, however there was no significant difference in perceived risk in the group that received positive - neutral eWOM. This research contributes to trading market business, especially online business related to eWOM valency and consumer perceived risk, especially in marketing management to attract consumers to do online shopping. Keywords: Electronic word of mouth, eWOM Valency, Perceived ris

Bringing Virtual Communities into a Marketing Strategy to Create Purchase Intentions in the Social Media Era

Introduction/main objectives: A virtual community is a new form of social interaction that provides an alternative way for connectivity and creativity. As the most favorite platform, social networking site is one of marketing objectives and strategies for global brands. The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents (social eWOM, image, and trust) and consequences (purchase intention) of eWOM’s adoption. Background problem: Today, taking part in virtual communities is a must. People with the same interests share their experiences and become trustworthy referees for others. Understanding the effect virtual communities can have will help companies to expand their markets. Novelty: Social eWOM has a great impact, but no prior studies have examined the effect of social eWOM or a virtual community on image, trust, eWOM‘s adoption and purchase intentions, this study would be the first study that provides a comprehensive model using recent issues. Research methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit 240 active participants in virtual communities in Indonesia. To collect the data, spreading questionnaire was conducted. SPSS and PLS 3 were used to analyze the data. Findings: The findings proved the relationship among social eWOM, image and trust. It also revealed that eWOM’s adoption affected purchase intentions. Surprisingly, image has no statistically significant effect on eWOM’s adoption. Conclusion: Well-managed social eWOM creates a better image, and increases trust, and eWOM’s adoption leads to an increase in the purchase intention. This study offers managerial insights to manage social eWOM from any virtual communities, to improve their image and trust. Finally, managers should maintain positive reviews, as this will also create an intention to purchase.