Consumer Brand Research Articles

The effects of celebrity endorser on consumer advocacy behavior through the customization and entertainment intention – A multivariate analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of celebrity endorsers on consumer advocacy, customization and entertainment intentions based on the notion of the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) framework. In addition, this study aims to examine the mediating and moderating role of customization and entertainment intentions on the proposed relationships. The authors also intend to highlight the comparative effects between male and female young social media consumers on those proposed associations. Design/methodology/approach In the pursuit of comprehensive and rigorous data collection, this study adopted a quantitative methodology using a meticulously crafted questionnaire. The questionnaire survey was conducted in major cities of Malaysia using the convenience and snowball sampling techniques. A total of 576 responses were collected, even though 549 retorts were used for data analysis. In this investigation, the authors strategically used covariance-based structural equation modeling through the use of AMOS v. 24 as the primary data analysis tool. Augmenting the analytical depth, the authors also conducted a supplementary bootstrap analysis. The additional layers of examination were crucial for appraising the mediating and moderating effects inherent within the model, in which the PROCESS MACRO v.4.20 was used. Findings The results of this study revealed the significant direct positive effects of celebrity endorsers on consumer customization, entertainment and advocacy intentions. Consumer customization and entertainment intentions also found significant direct affirmative effects on consumer advocacy intention, along with the significant direct positive effects of consumer entertainment intention on consumer customization intention. The results further revealed that consumer customization and entertainment intentions cannot mediate the relationship between celebrity endorsers and advocacy intention. The entertainment intention also declined the mediating effects between celebrity endorsers and consumer customization intention. On the contrary, consumer customization intention significantly and positively, and entertainment intention also significantly but negatively, moderate the association between celebrity endorsers and consumer advocacy intention. This study also illustrates that the effects of those examined relationships differ between male and female young social media consumers. Originality/value This study investigates the impact of celebrity endorsers on consumer behavior, focusing on their customization, entertainment and advocacy intentions. It extends current SOR framework, enhances source credibility theory, fills gaps in the literature on social media brand engagement and underscores the significance of customization and entertainment intentions. The findings provide insights for managers aiming to harness consumer brand advocacy through celebrity endorsers effectively.

An integrated model of Brand Experience and Brand Loyalty: an examination of the mediation effects of customer satisfaction and brand trust

Growing consumer brand loyalty is necessary for businesses to survive and expand in the automotive industry, where fierce competition makes it harder for businesses to retain brand loyalty. The main objective of this study is to investigate how customer satisfaction and brand trust among Mitsubishi Motors customers mediate the effect of brand experience on brand loyalty. This study uses a quantitative methodology and falls under the explanatory research category. The population in the study was a customer of Mitsubishi Motors cars located in East Java Province. The data collection method uses a questionnaire distributed directly to 200 respondents at Mitsubishi Motors service dealers in East Java Province using convenience sampling techniques. The results from this research demonstrate that brand loyalty is significantly influenced by brand experience and brand trust. As a mediating factor, brand trust can close the gap between brand experience and brand loyalty. Nevertheless, the connections between brand experience and brand loyalty have yet to be significantly impacted by customer satisfaction. In order to cultivate client loyalty, Mitsubishi Motors must continue to uphold the trust that has been earned and raise customer satisfaction.

A meta-model of customer brand loyalty and its antecedents

This research consolidates existing knowledge about customer brand loyalty and its antecedents by developing and empirically validating an integrative meta-model. First, with a grounded theory literature review of 199 prior studies, the authors identify 275 antecedents of loyalty that they aggregate into four meta-concepts: (1) brand offer, (2) consumer–brand alignment, (3) brand experience, and (4) consumer–brand bonding. Second, the authors theoretically derive four alternative models that describe the interrelations of these meta-concepts and loyalty and empirically identify the most suitable one, using meta-analytical structural equation modeling. The findings, based on 1,261 effect sizes from 557 studies, provide support for a two-stage process, in which brand experience and consumer–brand bonding have direct effects on loyalty and mediate the effects of brand offer and consumer–brand alignment that precede them. The meta-model and associated empirical generalizations lay a robust, consolidated foundation for continued efforts to understand how to create and nurture loyalty.

Exploring the Impact of Advertising Appeal on Consumer Brand Awareness and Purchase Decisions in the Ready-to-Drink Packaged Tea Market: A Case Study of Teh Pucuk Harum in Pekanbaru

This study investigated the influence of advertising appeal on the brand image of Teh Pucuk Harum in Pekanbaru. This study was conducted quantitatively, using causal and descriptive research designs. A survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires; then, the data or information obtained were processed by statistical methods using SEM PLS analysis. The results show that advertising appeal significantly influences a company’s brand image (TBI). The quality of the advertising message does not have a direct effect on TBI. Advertising appeals do not affect the purchasing decision-making process. Advertising creativity does not influence the purchasing decisions of a company, and the quality of advertising messages has no significant effect on purchasing decisions. It is hoped that the company can convince consumers that the appeal of the caterpillar/endorse-shaped advertisement in the Teh Pucuk Harum advertisement is trustworthy and honest in conveying the message of the product.

The Role of Emotions in Consumer Brand Loyalty: A Neuromarketing Approach

In today's competitive marketplace, cultivating and maintaining consumer brand loyalty is a paramount objective for businesses. While traditional marketing research has explored various factors influencing brand loyalty, the role of emotions, often overlooked in the past, has gained prominence in recent years. This research delves into the intricate relationship between emotions and consumer brand loyalty, employing a cutting-edge neuromarketing approach to uncover the subconscious processes at play. By utilizing neuroimaging techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), this study seeks to unveil the neural mechanisms that underlie emotional responses to brands. Through carefully designed experiments and data analysis, the research aims to identify specific emotional triggers that elicit brand loyalty and evaluate the neurological basis of these responses. Furthermore, this investigation will explore how various emotional states, including joy, trust, and nostalgia, influence different aspects of brand loyalty, such as repeat purchases, positive word-of-mouth, and resistance to competitive alternatives. By pinpointing the neurological signatures of emotional brand attachment, marketers can develop more precise and effective strategies to foster and strengthen consumer brand loyalty. The findings of this research hold significant implications for marketing practitioners

Addressing the Damage of Deception: Determining Effective Crisis Response Strategies Following Allegations of Deceptive Advertising

Governmental agencies and other watchdog organizations are tasked with detecting deceptive advertising and punishing those who employ it. Finances, company image, and consumer–brand relationships are at risk if a company is found to be guilty of employing deceptive advertising. It is important to understand effective responses to such allegations. Drawing on the situational crisis communication theory framework, this research examines the impact of different types of deceptive advertising on consumer behavior and explores which response strategies are appropriate for companies accused of deceptive advertising. The moderating influence of consumers’ skepticism toward advertising is also investigated. We conclude with recommendations for advertisers, who seek to restore public trust.

CSR, brand image and WOM: a multiple mediation analysis

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in forming a brand image and word of mouth (WOM) in the hotel industry in India. This study proposed a framework for examining the influence of CSR activities on self-congruence and the brand attitudes and indirect effects on consumer brand image and WOM in the hospitality industry in India.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire is used to collect the data from the hotel guests staying in four five-star hotels in the Delhi NCR. The structural equation modelling was used for the empirical data analysis using AMOS 23.0.FindingsThe findings suggest that CSR, directly and indirectly, influences the brand image and WOM. The present study confirms CSR’s indirect effects on brand image and WOM.Originality/valueThe findings from this study will help companies design customer-driven, socially responsible activities. In the context of hotels, a mechanism based on social exchange suggests that CSR activities signal to consumers that the hotel supports society’s well-being; thus, the customers feel obliged to reciprocate the action by having a positive WOM and brand image. Therefore, hotel firms benefit from their socially responsible activities by having a positive attitude, self-congruence and WOM.

Social Media Marketing's Effect on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses' Performance

Social media is increasingly being included into the marketing plans of many micro and small enterprises as a useful tool for connecting with a sizable collection of prospective buyers in ways that enable individuals to impart knowledge in a natural conversation. Despite the fact that historically, marketers have put all of their efforts into getting the best possible placement in the market. The best chance for micro and small enterprises may arise in this area as individuals may begin to view social media platforms as their primary source of all information over time. The purpose of this paper is to comprehend how well internet media works to promote shopping websites that have an impact on consumer purchasing decisions. With the rise in popularity of Websites like ‘Twitter’, ‘Facebook’, ‘LinkedIn’, and ‘YouTube’, Social Media Marketing has grown increasingly widespread. Marketing carried out on social media platforms or online social networking sites is referred to as social media marketing. The majority of businesses and organisations have their own websites; however, it might be challenging to reach individuals who are unaware of the organisation. As a result, many businesses have found it beneficial to have online profiles on sites. The goal of this study is to develop practical recommendations and offer strategic insights to help consumer brands use social media more effectively. In addition, it was discovered that social media platforms and the businesses themselves played a significant role in affecting engagement levels, suggesting that there is no single recipe for successful social media management.

Leveraging brand coolness for building strong consumer-brand relationships: different implications for products and services

Purpose This study aims to answer the following questions: How do consumers’ perceptions of brand coolness affect brand relationship outcomes and how do brand coolness effects differ between product brands and service brands? Design/methodology/approach A quantitative survey was used to collect data from 1,500 consumers assigned to assess one of 20 popular product and service brands in Vietnam. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. Findings Data analysis reveals that both dimensions of brand coolness (i.e. self-oriented and other-oriented coolness) exert positive impacts on brand relationship outcomes (i.e. brand satisfaction, brand love and brand advocacy) through brand attitude (i.e. the evaluative mechanism) and self-brand connection (i.e. the identity mechanism). While the identity mechanism of brand coolness effects is more prominent in product brands, the evaluative mechanism is more pronounced for service brands. Practical implications This research provides practical guidance for brand managers to build strong customer relationships by leveraging their brand coolness and the mechanisms underlying coolness effects. This study suggests a tailored application of brand coolness dimensions to different branded entities. Originality/value This research contributes to the brand coolness literature by validating a two-dimensional brand coolness structure encompassing self-oriented and other-oriented coolness, in accordance with a value-based conceptualization of the concept. For mass brand studies, this study recommends the exclusion of rebellious and subcultural attributes, as well as the utility of pre-determined brands as evaluated objects, in measuring brand coolness. This study also illuminates dual mediation mechanisms and moderation of the branded entity underlying brand coolness effects on consumer–brand relationships.

Pengaruh Digital Marketing terhadap Brand Awareness : Studi Kasus Kandang Ayam Resto

Nowadays the era of information technology makes many things easy to do in the digital world, including in marketing products and searching for products. Digital marketing can be used as the main option in supporting business activities for business people. Social media is used by consumers to find information about a product that is needed or desired. Accuracy in utilizing digital marketing through social networks (social media) is able to build consumer confidence in the products being marketed. This marketing strategy is also used to build brand awareness among consumers. This study examines the effect of digital marketing on the formation of consumer brand awareness using quantitative and qualitative tests. Quantitative data was collected using a sampling technique where respondents knew and had transacted at the Chicken Coop Restaurant. The data analysis technique in this study used SPSS Version 25 software. Based on the results of a simple linear test analysis, it was found that Digital Marketing had a positive and significant effect on Brand Awareness. Qualitative test by conducting interviews with six respondents, it was concluded that digital marketing has an influence on brand awareness.

An Investigation into Consumer Brand Loyalty in the Personal Care Product Industry

Now a days consumer are more aware about personal care products. If they are addicted some products, which time the brand loyalty will create. So in this field there are more competitors provides same products but different types like attract to cover the consumers. Brand switching will happen at that time. This study analyse the brand loyalty for personal care products among consumer. The study examined the impact of demographic characteristics on customer brand loyalty and switching behaviours in a specific product category. The sample size is 177. To indicate the amount of correlation between the variables, chi-square test was used. Results show that among that demography variables have the most significant impact on consumer’s brand loyalty. Key Words: brand loyalty, brand switching, personal care products.

Consumer-brand heuristics in luxury hotel reviews

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate and structure the basic heuristics consumers use in evaluating word-of-mouth (WOM) about luxury hotel brands while analyzing the impact of deception in online consumer reviews.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a two-study mixed-methods approach, using interpersonal deception theory and social proof theory as lenses to conduct our analysis. For the first study, a qualitative conceptual mapping analysis was conducted, examining online consumer reviews to identify key concepts and their relationships in the context of luxury hotel brands. In the second study, the themes were further examined using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze their causal complexity and association between variables to determine how they influence the perceived helpfulness of online reviews for luxury hotel brands.FindingsThe results underline the importance of functional, objective variables, such as the number of reviews and stars, as social proof heuristics and other factors, including clout, authenticity and analytic tone, as interpersonal communication heuristics. Therefore, consumers use a combination of social and interpersonal communication heuristics to extract information from reviews and manage deception risk.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper contributes to the consumer–brand relationship literature by assessing the heuristics consumers use in evaluating online reviews and provides additional information for research in online reputation management.Practical implicationsThis study’s results can help marketing practitioners and brand managers manage their online reputations better. It can also aid managers in improving their messaging on hotel websites to entice consumers to complete bookings. Heuristics play an essential role in such messaging and understanding them can help marketers appeal directly to their target market.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature on consumer–brand relationships by providing a framework of heuristics that consumers use when evaluating luxury service brands and contributes to WOM and online reputation research by highlighting factors that may make online reviews more helpful.

Quick-commerce: green initiatives on customer brand engagement

PurposeThe study examines quick-commerce (Q-commerce) green initiatives' (GI') impact on consumer brand engagement by mediating [perceived value (PV) and environmental concern (EC)] and moderating (brand attitude).Design/methodology/approachThe study gathered 458 surveys from recent Q-commerce shoppers, employing measurement and structural models alongside the PROCESS macro for data analysis.FindingsThe findings of the study indicate that (1) Q-commerce GI significantly affect PV, EC and directly impact customer brand engagement (CBE). The mediation analysis reveals that (2) PV positively influences EC and CBE; (3) EC has a favorable impact on CBE and (4) CBE positively affects brand attachment (Batta) and green-word of mouth (GWOM).Originality/valueThis study contributes to a deeper understanding of how Q-commerce's GI shape consumer brand engagement behavior. The insights provided can guide Q-commerce players and policymakers in the development and implementation of effective green practices.

The pathways of increasing online celebrity brand equity and followers' hotel booking intention: a serial multiple mediation model

PurposeFrom a consumer–brand relationship (CBR) perspective, this study proposes a serial multiple mediation model to explore the pathways (e.g. cognitive, affective and hybrid) to increase online celebrity brand equity (OCBE) and follower's hotel booking intentions (FBI).Design/methodology/approachPaper-based and online surveys were used to collect data from 443 respondents who had been using TikTok and had followed at least one online celebrity on TikTok, while that online celebrity had reviewed one or more types of accommodation. A serial multiple mediation model was evaluated through covariance-based structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results confirmed the hybrid cognitive–affective and cognitive–affective–conative pathways among antecedents and components of OCBE and FBI.Originality/valueFrom a CBR perspective, this study provides a serial multiple mediation model to increase OCBE via hybrid cognitive–affective pathways and to drive FBI via cognitive–affective–conative pathways. These sequential relationships contribute to the human branding literature by defining a mechanism of how online celebrities can efficiently attract followers, thus driving online celebrity brand loyalty and hotel booking intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThe results should be validated in other cultural contexts to generalize findings and broaden the range of target respondents to include international followers and those within other nations.

THE CONSUMERS PERCEPTIONS OF EMPLOYER AND SERVICE BRAND EQUITY’S: THE EXPLORATORY AND CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS

While the traditional components of employer brand equity are applied in the context of an organization’s employees, this study sought to assess a hitherto unexplored context – the extent to which employer brand equity impacts on consumers of an organization’s service brand rather than the target audience. The two research objectives were: 1) to identify the specific dimensions of both employer and perceived service brand equities 2) to assess the relationship between them and consumer behavioral intentions. The study was based on quantitative data of 526 respondents, using both Exploratory (EFA), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings confirmed the 3 (employer brand image, reputation, and awareness) and 4 (service brand image, perceived quality, service brand awareness, brand loyalty) factors of employer and service brand equities respectively. The study revealed the employer brand equity significant relationship with service brand equity, but the lack of direct effect on consumers’ behavioral intentions. The research is novel as it assesses the employer brand equity’s impact not only on the service brand’s overall perceived equity, but also on consumers’ behavioral intentions, by examining the impact on two different groups (existing and potential service brand consumers).

Impact of self‐esteem and self‐gifting on masstige purchase intentions

AbstractConsumers prefer brands that provide them with symbolic meaning, and they use them to enhance their self‐esteem and develop their status and personal images. Self‐esteem is an important psychological factor that contributes to an individual's purchase intentions and consumption behavior, but its role in shaping the consumption of masstige brands has not been thoroughly researched. Hence, this research aims: (1) to identify the masstige brands in the smartphone industry of Pakistan using the masstige mean index, and (2) to explore the role of self‐esteem in consumer consumption behavior grounded in terms of masstige, self‐gifting behavior, and brand personality. Moreover, this study uses self‐gifting behavior as the mediator and brand personality as the moderator in the relationship between self‐esteem and masstige purchase intention. The data from study 1 (n = 560) and study 2 (n = 329) were collected using a self‐administered questionnaire and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that masstige brand consumption is influenced by self‐esteem; this relationship is mediated by self‐gifting behavior, and brand personality moderates the association. Theoretically, this study contributes to the masstige theory by exploring the role of self‐esteem in masstige consumption in an emerging economy. Practically, this study provides a comprehensive guideline for brand managers to devise effective marketing strategies to build their brands as masstige brands.

One independent or many independent? The relationship among self-construal, number of brand endorsers, and brand attitudes.

It was common for brands to use different numbers of endorsers in marketing practice. Nevertheless, research on brand endorsers' quantity has not yielded a uniform consensus. The previous research about brand endorsers mainly focuses on the appeal of endorsement, brand category, and endorser characteristics, paying less attention to the impact of cultural factors, particularly self-construal. This study delves into selecting brand endorsers across diverse cultural regions for the same brand. Drawing on the principles of self-consistency theory and self-construal theory, our research, conducted through three distinct experiments, reveals that consumers tend to hold more favorable opinions about brands endorsed by a single individual. Furthermore, self-consistency emerges as a crucial mediating factor in this phenomenon. Additionally, self-construal is an essential factor among consumers from various cultural backgrounds. Consumers with an independent self-construal exhibit more favorable brand perceptions when it comes to single-endorser brands compared to their counterparts with an interdependent self-construal. Conversely, individuals with an interdependent self-construal demonstrate a more positive disposition towards brands with multiple endorsers than those with an independent self-construal. This research not only enriches and extends our theoretical understanding of the impact of the number of brand endorsers on consumer brand attitudes but also provides valuable practical insights for optimizing the selection of brand endorsers for companies.

Sustainable Marketing Initiatives and Consumer Perception of Fast Fashion Brands

The fast fashion industry has been criticized for negatively impacting the economy, environment, and social justice. Consequently, many brands adopt sustainable marketing practices to promote eco-friendly manufacturing and encourage sustainable purchase behaviour. To explore this trend, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among fashion brand consumers using a quantitative research design. The survey data was analyzed using variance-based partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that sustainable marketing practices can be supported by creating a positive brand image and building trust. Such practices can positively influence consumers' perception of sustainability and promote brand loyalty, which can lead to sustainable purchasing behaviour. The study provides valuable insights into sustainable marketing strategies that fashion brands can adopt to promote sustainable practices and policies in local markets.

Consumer brand and category switching behaviors after food safety incidents: Factors and mechanisms

The excessive mold found in Three Squirrels' nuts and the clenbuterol abuse of Shuanghui are two infamous food safety incidents in China. We adopted push-pull-mooring theory to conduct a model and examined the factors influencing consumer short-term or long-term brand-switching or category-switching behaviors following the two food safety incidents. We employed multinomial logistic regression and structural equation modeling as tools to analyze 1027 valid questionnaires. The results, for the first time, revealed that perceived risk, alternative selectivity, alternative attractiveness, controllability attribution, and habits were key push, pull and mooring factors influencing Chinese consumers’ brand and category switching from food brands under food safety crisis, and most importantly, that their influential paths differed greatly under the two food safety incidents, suggesting a different influential mechanism across two product categories (i.e., utilitarian food and hedonic food). These findings throw light on the predictors and mechanisms that affect consumer brand and category switching from food brands under food safety crisis and help associated food businesses develop more targeted and powerful crisis management and public relations strategies.

Examining the Moderating Role of Reasons in Masstige Luxury Buying Behavior.

This study proposes a new model derived from Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT) to examine the purchasing behavior of masstige jewelry consumers. The suggested model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the determinants of purchasing masstige products by considering values and reasons in addition to the global motives and intention. The study also examines, for the first time, the moderating role of reasons. It explores how reasons may strengthen or weaken the impact of perceived values on global motives. The proposed model was empirically tested using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with survey data on the consumption of masstige jewelry brands in Türkiye. To provide a more complete understanding of the moderating role of reasons, submodels were constructed for different value-reason combinations. The results demonstrate notable differences in the goodness-of-fit measures between the moderated and non-moderated models. Specifically, reasons contributed to enhanced explanations of global motives and intention, both directly and indirectly. However, not all submodels yielded significant results in terms of the moderator effect. Thus, the empirical tests supported the hypotheses regarding the moderating effect only partially. Overall, the current findings further extend the existing frameworks and provide valuable insights into masstige jewelry purchasing behavior, which can be used by marketers to develop more effective strategies.