Abstract

This study investigates the effects of information type, direction of information, method of suggestion, tie strength, and interactions among these variables on the acceptance and diffusion of fashion product information in the mobile Facebook environment. Two subsequent studies were conducted to test the relationships among mobile SNS WOM factors. Two independent on-line surveys were implemented. Six hundred forty consumers aged between 20 and 39 were recruited for Study 1, and four hundred and eighty for Study 2. We manipulated the WOM delivery situation by information type (factual/evaluative), information directionality (positive/negative), tie-strength (strong/weak), and information presentation method (text/image/rink). Eight scenarios were developed and randomly assigned to the research participants. Frequency analysis, reliability, factor analysis, regression analysis, and ANOVA were implemented using SPSS 18.0. The Analysis of experiment data produced interesting results. Most WOM factors (including the information type, information presentation method, and tie strength) influence WOM acceptance; however, only the tie strength effected WOM activity. It was also proven that people are prone to accept information that is more realistic, objective, and negative, and they tend to accept information with visual factors, such as images and video clips rather than a simple text message. In this study, we offer a practical perspective to fashion industry and marketers who have an interest in SNS marketing. We have defined the distinct characteristics of mobile WOM that have been formed by a combination of former on/off-line WOM characteristics. To examine the moderating roles of two types of consumer innovativeness, fashion innovativeness and technology innovativeness were also measured and found to have significant moderating effects between mobile SNS WOM factors and their consequences. The paper concludes with a discussion on managerial implications and limitations.

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