Stimulus Organism Response Theory Research Articles

Social Media Marketing Dynamics and Brand Loyalty: A Sequential Mediation Model in the Indonesian Packaged Drinking Water Industry

Purpose – This study uses the stimulus organism response (SOR) as the theory framework to analyze the sequential mediating roles of brand experience (BE), brand trust (BT), and brand love (BLV) to show the connection between Social Media Marketing (SMM) activities and brand loyalty (BL). Design/methodology/approach – The study approach was empirically evaluated using 310 SM users as data who follow bottled water brands on any platform and have made a purchase. Furthermore, a sequential multiple mediation model was tested using PLS-SEM. Findings – The results indicate that SMM significantly impacts BE, and BE significantly affects BT and BLV. Subsequently, this influence of BT and BLV contributes to an increase in BL. Additionally, it was revealed that BE, BT, and BLV sequentially and significantly mediate the relationship between SMM and BL. Research limitations/implications – Its cross-sectional design, sample bias towards younger, educated respondents, a narrow focus on BL from SMM activities, and a lack of consideration for sustainability and broader product types suggest a need for more diverse and longitudinal future research. Practical implications – The result emphasizes the need for brands to leverage SM as a critical channel for consumer engagement, suggesting the adoption of personalized, entertaining, and interactive digital campaigns to increase through memorable BE. Originality/value – This study pioneers using SOR theory to explore the SMM impact on BL within the bottled water industry, providing novel insights through empirically validating a model that links SMM activities with loyalty via BE, BT, and BLV.

Based on the S–O–R theory adoption intention of blockchain technology in libraries: a two-stage analysis SEM–PLS and ANN

PurposeBlockchain, a groundbreaking technology that recently surfaced, is under thorough scrutiny due to its prospective utility across different sectors. This research aims to delve into and assess the cognitive elements that impact the integration of blockchain technology (BT) within library environments.Design/methodology/approachUtilizing the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theory, this research aims to facilitate the implementation of BT within academic institution libraries and provide valuable insights for managerial decision-making. A two-staged deep learning structural equation modelling artificial neural network (ANN) analysis was conducted on 583 computer experts affiliated with academic institutions across various countries to gather relevant information.FindingsThe research model can correspondingly expound 71% and 60% of the variance in trust and adoption intention of BT in libraries, where ANN results indicate that perceived possession is the primary predictor, with a technical capability factor that has a normalized significance of 84%. The study successfully identified the relationship of each variable of our conceptual model.Originality/valueUnlike the SOR theory framework that uses a linear model and theoretically assumes that all relationships are significant, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study to validate ANN and SEM in a library context successfully. The results of the two-step PLS–SEM and ANN technique demonstrate that the usage of ANN validates the PLS–SEM analysis. ANN can represent complicated linear and nonlinear connections with higher prediction accuracy than SEM approaches. Also, an importance-performance Map analysis of the PLS–SEM data offers a more detailed insight into each factor's significance and performance.

Tourism Crisis Events Affecting Intention towards Forest-Based Health Tourism: A Structural Equation Model

Since the beginning of the 21st century, various tourism crisis events have negatively impacted the global tourism industry. This study proposes a research model grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response theory to explore how external stimuli influence individuals and help identify factors influencing elderly individuals’ willingness to participate in forest-based health tourism during and after tourism crisis events, considering the global aging trend. From 20 December 2023 to 15 January 2024, we collected 429 valid questionnaires from Chinese older adult participants engaged in forest-based health tourism in Guizhou Province. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and bootstrapping techniques were employed to analyze data. The results indicate that tourism crisis events, primarily in the form of geological disasters, are significant antecedent variables influencing the willingness of Chinese older adults to engage in forest-based health tourism. Furthermore, destination image and perceived value serve as individual mediators and function as chained mediators. The results enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between tourism crisis events and the willingness of older Chinese adults to travel while also revealing deeper underlying mechanisms.

Perceived greenwashing and employee green behavior: The roles of green organizational identity and self‐serving leadership

AbstractGreenwashing has become a common way in which many enterprises address expectations related to corporate social responsibility. As an abnormal and fake type of social responsibility behavior, greenwashing causes many problems, thus highlighting the importance of exploring the impact of corporate greenwashing. However, previous studies have mainly examined the impacts of greenwashing on enterprises, industry, and society, and the impact of greenwashing on individual employee behavior, which is important with regard to the sustainability of the enterprise, remains limited. The main purpose of this study is to explore how perceived greenwashing affects employee green behavior (EGB). Based on the stimulus–organism–response theory and social cognitive theory, a two‐wave survey was conducted to investigate 232 Chinese enterprise employees. The impact of perceived greenwashing on EGB was analyzed. The mediating role of green organizational identity (GOI) and the moderating role of self‐serving leadership in this context were examined. The results reveal that perceived greenwashing is negatively related to EGB. Furthermore, GOI mediates the direct relationship between perceived greenwashing and EGB. Self‐serving leadership weakens the positive relationship between GOI and EGB. This study thus develops a theoretical model of greenwashing and EGB. It also provides empirical evidence that can support attempts to promote EGB.

Problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response theory: State of mind and coping styles of depressed mothers after cesarean delivery

BACKGROUND The use of a problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory for women with postpartum depression after cesarean delivery may inform nursing interventions for women with postpartum depression. AIM To explore the state of mind and coping style of women with depression after cesarean delivery guided by SOR theory. METHODS Eighty postpartum depressed women with cesarean delivery admitted to the hospital between January 2022 and October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups of 40 cases each, according to the random number table method. In the control group, the observation group adopted the problem-solving nursing model under SOR theory. The two groups were consecutively intervened for 12 weeks, and the state of mind, coping styles, and degree of post-partum depression were analyzed at the end of the intervention. RESULTS The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-24-item scores of the observation group were lower than in the control group after care, and the level of improvement in the state of mind was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The level of coping with illness in the observation group after care (26.48 ± 3.35) was higher than that in the control group (21.73 ± 3.20), and the level of avoidance (12.04 ± 2.68) and submission (8.14 ± 1.15) was lower than that in the control group (15.75 ± 2.69 and 9.95 ± 1.20), with significant differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Adopting the problem-solving nursing model using SOR theory for postpartum depressed mothers after cesarean delivery reduced maternal depression, improved their state of mind, and coping level with illness.

What drives user churn in serious games? An empirical examination of the TAM, SOR theory, and game quality in Chinese cultural heritage games

User churn in serious games related to Chinese cultural heritage is severe due to various game quality issues, leading to a lack of long-term user feedback necessary for optimizing design, which further hampers the development of such games. Through user interviews and literature review, this study identified two dimensions of quality of cultural heritage serious games: factors related to online gaming and those intrinsic to serious games. Within the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theoretical framework of, this study integrates these quality factors within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to construct a user churn model. This model explores the relationship between quality factors and user churn. Utilizing 534 valid responses gathered from online platforms, this study employs statistical analyses and structural equation modeling to uncover that learning objectives, entertainment experience, system quality, and game design profoundly influence both perceived usefulness and ease of use, which in turn indirectly impacts user churn. Service quality’s influence on user churn is mediated by perceived usefulness, while brand image affects churn through perceived ease of use. Notably, learning objectives and entertainment experience emerge as critical determinants. The insights gained offer valuable guidance for game designers in addressing user needs, enhancing game quality, and reducing churn. Building on previous research, this study uses a mixed-methods approach and identifies factors affecting user churn in the context of cultural heritage serious games and validated the model’s rationality and effectiveness, enriching the foundational theoretical research on serious games.

Attendees' experiences of anime conventions in the United States: a netnography study

PurposeGuided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory, this study analyzed the user-generated content (UGC) produced by attendees from six anime conventions in the USA.Design/methodology/approachA total of 739 online reviews and 1,932 photos were collected from the social platforms of six large anime conventions in the USA (Yelp and Facebook), and the study employed thematic analysis and image analysis to analyze the collected UGCs.FindingsThe findings revealed eight main themes (i.e. ambient and space, customers, service and products, sign and symbol, social density, emotional status, motivation, and behavior intention) and 32 subthemes across the three dimensions of SOR theory. Leveraging the power of cutting-edge image analysis, the image labels obtained from the analysis contributed to the creation of network clusters. The result of the image analysis also continued consistently with the thematic analysis result, which reflected SOR theory.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, the study applied SOR theory and blended thematic and image analyses to gain a comprehensive understanding of anime convention attendees’ experience and categorized the attendees’ emotional status as positive or negative to reflect their overall evaluation. Practically, this study highlighted some complaints from attendees and provided suggestions for operators. However, the study focused only on large anime conventions in the USA; future studies should compare attendees’ experiences with small and large conventions or anime conventions worldwide.Originality/valueThe study utilized UGCs to understand the key patterns essential to attendees during anime conventions in the USA and applied SOR theory to its investigation.

Research on consumers' purchase intention of cultural and creative products-Metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols.

Chinese traditional cultural symbols possess great aesthetic and cultural value, and are widely utilized in product design. In this study, we explore the relationship between metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols, customer experience and cultural identity, and further estimate how these three variables stimulate consumers' perceived value to generate consumers' purchase intention. Based on existing traditional cultural literature and Stimulus-organism-response theory (SOR), we proposed a theoretical research model to characterize the relationship among metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols, customer experience, cultural identity, perceived value and consumers' purchase intention. A research survey was conducted and 262 questionnaires were collected in total with 241 valid. We used Smart PLS graph version 3.0 for data analysis. Results indicate that the cognition of metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols and customer experience has a direct and significant impact on the emotional value thereby, eliciting consumers' purchase intention, metaphor design based on traditional cultural symbols is directly and indirectly (i.e., through customer experience or perceived value) positively associated with consumers' purchase intention, also customer experience is directly and indirectly (i.e., through perceived value) associated with consumer purchase intention, cultural identity mediates the indirect effect of customer experience and perceived value on purchase intention, the moderating role of cultural identity between customer experience and perceived value is not significant. Our findings help to expand the existing literature on consumer purchase intentions by rationally using traditional cultural symbols in the product metaphor design.

Continuous Purchase Intention of Organic Personal Care Products: Evidence from India

This study was undertaken to understand the antecedents of continuous purchase intention (CPI) of organic personal care products (OPCPs). It draws on the theory of planned behavior and the stimulus–organism–response theory to build an integrative conceptual framework. Most past studies have been conducted in developed countries, where the organic products market is more evolved. Partial least squares path modeling was used to examine various relationships among a sample of 1,378 consumers in India who buy only OPCPs. Product knowledge (PK) is the strongest influencer of attitude which has a high impact on satisfaction which in turn affects CPI positively. PK has greater significance in developing countries which have a higher share of counterfeit and unbranded products. While many studies have been conducted on CPI of organic food, there are only a few on OPCP. Among these, studies on the CPI of OPCP in developing countries are scarce.

Nostalgic tourists acquiring resilience and emotional solidarity through self-congruity and functional congruity

From the perspective of stimulus–organism–response theory (S-O-R), this study explores whether self-congruity and functional congruity cause tourists to form positive nostalgic emotions toward heritage destinations and whether the nostalgic emotions elicited by tourists’ experiences at heritage destinations promote their physical and mental health resilience, as well as their emotional solidarity with local residents. Data were collected from Daxi Old Street, Lukang Old Street, and Anping Old Street, located in northern, central, and southern Taiwan, respectively. A total of 959 respondents were collected. The research results reveal that self-congruity and functional congruity positively impact tourists’ nostalgic emotions in heritage destinations. Product involvement does not moderate self-congruity's effect on nostalgia, but it does moderate functional congruity's impact. The study also supports the positive influence of nostalgic emotions on both tourist resilience and emotional solidarity in heritage tourism. These findings are crucial for governments and stakeholders planning and managing heritage tourist destinations.

The Drivers of Green Brand Evangelism: The Mediation Role of Green Brand Experience

Objective: While environmentally friendly products and brands are widely available, consumer adoption and usage of these products remain relatively low, highlighting disconnection between pro-environmental values and actual green practices related to green brand. This discrepancy is attributed to biased perceptions toward green brands. This study aims to address the perception bias issue in the relationship between pro-environmental values and behaviors, focusing on green personal care brands. Theoretical framework: Based on Stimulus Organism Response theory combined with Self-Verification Theory, Consumer Culture Theory and Social Exchange theory, this study proposes that individual factors such as Environmental Self-Identity and brand related factors such as Self-Green Brand Connection, Brand Trust, and Green Brand Experience play crucial roles in influencing Green Brand Evangelism with Green Brand Experience acting as a mediator in these relationships. . Method: Utilizing a non-probability purposive sampling approach, data was collected from 404 respondents through an online questionnaire using a 1-7 Likert scale. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method was employed for data analysis. Results and conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that Green Brand Experience significantly mediates the impact of Environmental Self-Identity, Self-Green Brand Connection, and Brand Trust, on Green Brand Evangelism. This study represents a pioneering effort in examining the influence of Environmental Self-Identity on Green Brand Experience and Green Brand Evangelism. And the first attempt in investigating the mediating role of Green Brand Experience in shaping Green Brand Evangelism. This research contributes to a better understanding of how social-constructed green brand experiences can foster Green Brand Evangelism among consumers.

The Effect of Tagline "Beli Sekarang, Bayar Nanti" on Decision to Use Shopee Paylater

This study aims to determine the effect of the tagline "Beli Sekarang, Bayar Nanti” on decision to use Shopee PayLater for Generation Z in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. The theoretical studies used in this research are persuasive communication; SOR (Stimulus-Organism-Response) theory; marketing communication; tagline (familiarity, differentiation, message or value), and purchase decision. This is a quantitative research; distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents in Bekasi area. The sampling technique in this study is nonprobability sampling, namely purposive sampling. Data analysis techniques used is descriptive analysis and simple linear regression analysis. The results showed that there is a relationship between the tagline "Beli Sekarang, Bayar Nanti" and the decision to use Shopee PayLater with a correlation coefficient value of 0.510. The effect of the tagline "Beli Sekarang, Bayar Nanti" on the decision to use Shopee PayLater is 26%.

How travel live streaming servicescape affects users' travel intention: evidence from structural equation model and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

PurposeIt is unclear what constitutes the tourism live streaming (TLS) servicescape and how it affects users' travel intention (TI). The study aims to explore the composition of the TLS servicescape, the influence mechanism of the TLS servicescape on users' TI and the formation of users' TI.Design/methodology/approachBased on stimulus organism response theory (SOR), we develop a mediation model to explore the influence of TLS servicescape on users' TI. This study collected data from 432 Chinese TLS users through an online questionnaire, and we used the structural equation model and the SPSS PROCESS macro to test the proposed model. In addition, we tested the variable relationships using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).FindingsTLS servicescape is a second-order variable that can be categorized into physical element (PE), social element (SOE), symbolic element (SYE) and natural element (NE). TLS servicescape influences TI by affecting social presence (SP) and customer engagement (CE). The fsQCA reveals seven combinations of PE, SOE, SYE, NE, SP and CE that form a high TI for TLS users.Originality/valueUsing multiple data analysis methods, the study emphasizes the significance of the TLS servicescape for TLS. It explores how to evoke users' TI in TLS and provides a reference for TLS marketing.

The influence of 360-degree VR videos on tourism web usage behaviour: the role of web navigability and visual interface design quality

Purpose Using the stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theoretical model, this empirical research aims to examine and validate how tourists’ interactions with 360-degree virtual reality (VR) videos incorporating Web navigability and visual interface design quality (stimulus) on travel websites can make tourists more engaged and then satisfied (organism), which could make them more likely to visit destinations and spread electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) (response). Design/methodology/approach Using the convenience sampling method, 975 responses were collected through a questionnaire. The data were analysed using Smart-PLS 4 software to investigate the hypothesised relationships. Findings The findings demonstrate that 360-degree VR videos significantly create Web user engagement, and Web user engagement is significantly associated with Web user satisfaction. The result shows that Web user engagement and satisfaction impact the intention to visit the tourist destination. Additionally, Web user satisfaction impacts e-WOM. Lastly, navigability and visual interface design quality are significantly moderated between 360-degree VR videos and Web user engagement. Research limitations/implications This research only examined the tourists’ behavioural intentions with 360-degree VR videos during the pre-travel phase. In contrast, future research may investigate how tourists behave with VR during the on-site and post-travel phases. Practical implications Tourism marketers should not only adopt 360-degree VR but also integrate Web navigability and visual interface design to boost Web users’ engagement on tourism websites. Originality/value This study advances the study of VR from the tourists’ psychological perspective. Moreover, the SOR theory has been re-examined from the VR and technology tourism perspectives. It provides a general understanding of the behavioural aspects of tourists in developing countries.

Effects of Social Media Marketing on Buying Interest

This study aims to analyze Instagram's social media marketing activities have a positive and significant effect on brand equity, buying interest, word-of-mouth marketing. The author updates the research model that has previously been carried out. The industry that the researchers chose was the dairy industry. This study uses SOR (Stimulus Organism Response) theory as the basis for research. This researcher used quantitative methods with 192 respondents using the Roscoe formula with purposive sampling techniques. Data in this study was obtained by filling out questionnaires by respondents. There are 28 questions that must be answered by respondents through Google Form. Researchers analyzed the results of the validity of the Fornel Lacker Criterion discriminant. This study is intended to determine the impact generated from social media marketing activities (SMMA) and buying interest in children's milk products. This research shows that Instagram's social media marketing activities have a positive and significant effect on buying interest. Brand equity has a positive and significant effect on word-of-mouth marketing. The result obtained for marketing effectiveness is to use word of mouth marketing which has a positive and significant effect on respondents' buying interest.

Harnessing the power of brand social media marketing on consumer online impulse buying intentions: a stimulus-organism-response framework

PurposeSocial media marketing has become a powerful strategic tool for many brands, but scholarly research in this domain is still in its infancy. This study aims to examine the effects of social media marketing activities on consumer online impulse buying intentions via brand resonance and emotional responses by incorporating the direct and moderating effects of social network proneness toward fashion retail brands.Design/methodology/approachBy using snowball sampling, this study recruited 441 netizens (who were using fashion retail brands) and obtained their responses through an online survey. Structural equation modeling was applied to 394 responses for analysis.FindingsThe findings discovered that social media marketing activities significantly influenced brand resonance, consumer emotional responses and online impulse buying intentions. Likewise, brand resonance and emotional responses were positively associated with online impulse buying intentions and acted as decisive mediators. Social network proneness’s direct and moderating effects significantly increased consumer online impulse-buying intentions toward fashion retail brands.Practical implicationsThis study provides recommendations to retail managers for creating and executing brand positioning, segmenting and targeting strategies to enhance consumers’ intentions for engaging in online impulsive purchases for fashion brands.Originality/valueThis original research contributes to the branding literature and stimulus–organism–response theory by focusing on social media marketing activities, brand resonance, emotional responses, social network proneness and consumer online impulse buying intentions toward fashion retail brands.

Applying Stimulus–Organism–Response Theory to Explore the Effects of Augmented Reality on Consumer Purchase Intention for Teenage Fashion Hair Dyes

The application of augmented reality (AR) in the beauty and hairdressing industry provides customers with a rich experience, especially in terms of virtual hair styling. Through virtual hair color tests, customers can quickly decide on the most suitable hair dye for them. Teenagers use multimedia communication channels to distinctively express their enjoyment of and aesthetic experiences with the interactive, emotional, and spatial aspects of AR. They can also preview diverse hair dyes and hairstyles in a virtual environment and, ultimately, select the option that suits them the most. This study applied the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S–O–R) theoretical framework and collected 337 valid samples through a SmartPLS-4-supported questionnaire survey for analysis. The results revealed that spatiality significantly influenced behavioral intention in the context of aesthetic experiences, whereas interactivity significantly influenced behavioral intention in the context of entertainment experiences. Overall, the hair dye consumption behavior of Taiwanese teenagers was positively influenced by spatiality and interactivity, and the overall model was well structured. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for businesses to develop innovative technology products that enhance consumer marketing experiences and can contribute to the future development of the hair dye segment of the fashion industry.

Experience‐driven well‐being and purchase: An alternative model of memorable wine tourism experiences

AbstractWine tourism has several distinctive features that militate against using Kim et al.'s model of memorable tourism experiences to understand its antecedents and consequences. Accordingly, this study adopts an alternative theoretical framework—the stimulus–organism–response theory—to develop an alternative model. Data were collected from visitors to a well‐known vineyard in Yantai, China and structural equation modelling and multiple group analysis were used to analyse them. The results suggest that experience co‐creation, sensory experience, experiential satisfaction and appealing winescape are significant and positive antecedents of a memorable wine tourism experience, while eudaimonic well‐being and wine purchase intention are significant and positive outcome variables. Visit frequency was found to be a moderating variable linking the winescape to memorable wine tourism experiences. Those who travel to the region frequently form a bond with the winescape that not only contributes to their well‐being but also stimulates their future intentions to purchase its wine.

Panic consumption under public health emergencies: The mediating role of risk perception

Abstract Aim The primary objective of this study was to examine and explain the public panic consumption model based on the stimulus–organism–response theory, during the peak time period of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Subject and methods The research data were collected through the questionnaires adapted for the purpose of this survey, which included a total of 408 participants (33% female) from the global population. The stepwise regression analysis has been conducted. Results The results have shown that both physical social networks and online social networks have a significant positive impact on infection risk perception, but the impact of physical social networks has proved to be a better predictor. Infection information obtained from physical social networks affects conformity buying and uncontrolled self-medication if the perceived risk perception is higher. When it comes to the impact of risk perception on conformity buying, health change has a significant negative regulatory effect. In the impact of risk perception on the uncontrolled self-medication, health change has no significant regulatory effect. Conclusions During the recent epidemic states, it is noticeable that public panic consumption has aggravated the difficulty of emergency management. Especially when it comes to the management of medical materials and medicines. In order to tackle this challenge in the future, the trigger mechanisms behind panic consumption are revealed.

Assessing the Applicability and Reliability of the SOR Theory in the Healthcare Sector: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Research

The Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, introduced by Mehrabian and Russell in 1974, has become a dominant theoretical model in the service industry to determine consumer behaviour. However, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the theory are rare, and most research produces only empirical data. This research paper aims to compile and analyse research articles that have applied the SOR theory within the healthcare sector over the past five years to measure the model's effect and relevancy. The paper establishes a consistent method of compiling past papers from online databases, and only research papers cited under the SOR theory in the healthcare sector are analysed. The study finds that the SOR model is commonly used alongside other theories, such as Flow Theory and Theory of Reasoned Actions, and can be deemed generalizable to the service industry regardless of the industry. However, the paper has limitations, such as the overgeneralization of the collection of SOR papers without a specific scope, and future research could improve the results by carrying out a meta-analysis to further determine the overall model's reliability.