The Effects of Electronic Word of Mouth on Product Judgment and Choice: The Moderating Role of the Sense of Virtual Community1

Electronic word‐of‐mouth (WOM) communication influences potential consumer attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a product. Since consumers frequently assess online information based on their relationships with communities, rather than with individuals, online communities themselves function as referents for assessing information quality. This study examines whether consumer perceptions toward virtual communities (i.e., sense of virtual community or SOVC) moderate the perceived influence of product comments on attitude and purchase intention. This study manipulated 2 scenarios involving positive comments and negative comments regarding a newly issued game product. Analytical results indicated that SOVC reinforced the influences of online comments on attitude and purchase intention. Thus, marketers should consider the role of virtual communities when implementing WOM strategy online.     

Determinants of the purchase intention of non-fungible token collectibles

Disrupting the concept of ownership in the digital space, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have created unprecedented market opportunities and captivated millions of investors. Characterized by artificial scarcity and ensured authenticity, the technical implementation establishes novel parameters for digital ownership and collecting, underscoring a research gap where the determinants of consumer behavior are yet to be studied. This paper presents a research model based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model to investigate consumers' purchase intention of NFT-based collectibles (NFTC) for the first time. To develop our model, we identified distinctive NFTC features (functionality, scarcity, aesthetics, and price value) and blockchain characteristics (security and privacy) affecting the utilitarian and hedonic attitude towards NFTC and finally shape NFTC purchase intention. For empirical validation, we conducted an online survey among an NFT-interested target group (N = 356) and analyzed the results by structural equation modeling with SPSS Amos. Findings indicate that the utilitarian attitude toward NFTC is affected by perceived functionality and price value from the product side, and perceived blockchain security and privacy from the technology side. The hedonistic attitude toward NFTC is shaped by perceived functionality, scarcity, and aesthetics. Both attitudes, utilitarian and hedonistic, demonstrate a significant impact on purchase intention. A subsequent mediation analysis confirms that NFTC and blockchain characteristics have an indirect effect on purchase intention. In the under-investigated interface of blockchain technology, digital ownership, and consumer behavior, this work enriches the digital ownership discourse by demonstrating how NFTC create consumer value through product and technology features.     

Antecedents and moderators of behavioral intention: differences between U.S. and Taiwanese students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative influence of attitude toward the act, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control on consumers' purchase intention when consumers possess different levels of product knowledge (subjective and objective). The magnitude of the influence is compared across two different societies (U.S. and Taiwanese). U.S. (N = 295) and Taiwanese (N = 297) college students participated. The results showed that the relative importance of attitude toward the act, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control in predicting purchase intention varied across consumers with different levels of product knowledge (subjective or objective) for the U.S. participants. However, the moderating effect of product knowledge was less profound for the Taiwanese participants.     

Is no feedback perceived as a risk in online reviews?

Online reviews are critical in consumer decision-making regarding making online purchases. Given that reviews allow consumers to leave personal feedback about a product or service, it is unclear why some choose not to. This study is an examination of whether consumers tend to perceive no feedback as a sign of risk in online product listings along with the effects of no feedback on purchase intention. Regulatory focus theory is also applied to elucidate the differences in perceived risk between offerings with either high or low numbers of transactions accompanied by no feedback. Through online survey, data were gathered with 450 participants who had used any online marketplaces within 3 months. Consumers with a focus on both prevention and promotion perceive higher risk when there are many transactions with no feedback (high number of no-feedback condition), whereas consumers with a promotion focus perceive significantly lower risk when there are few transactions with no feedback (low number of no-feedback condition). From the analyses of regression and structural equation modeling, perceived risk negatively affected purchase intention in both the high and low number of no-feedback condition. Also in both the promotion and prevention focus groups, purchase intention is significantly higher in the low no feedback condition than the high no feedback. This study's findings confirm that consumers perceive offerings with high no feedback as high risk.     

Factors influencing the intention to watch online video advertising

This study examines the factors influencing consumer intention to watch online video ads, by applying the theory of reasoned action. The attitude toward watching online video ads, the subjective norm, and prior frequency of watching online video ads positively influence the intention to watch online video ads. Further, beliefs held about entertainment and information outcomes from watching online video ads and subjective norm influence attitude toward watching these ads.     

Cognitive,affective and conative responses to visual simulation: the effects of rotation in online product presentation

• Rotation, one type of visual simulation used to create three‐dimensional (3‐D) experiences, and currently being used for product presentation on some e‐tail websites, may create consumer responses. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of rotation in product presentation on the cognitive, affective, and conative responses of consumers. This study employed a single‐factor between‐subjects design: product presentation (rotating vs. non‐rotating). Causal model analysis showed the influence of rotation in product presentation on perceived information quantity, mood, attitude, and purchase intention. Theoretical and managerial implications, as well as future research directions, are discussed.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

网络环境下第三方评论对冲动购买意愿的影响机制：以产品类别和评论员级别为调节变量

采用问卷调查和实验研究的方法, 构建了以情感为中介的第三方正面评论与网络消费者冲动购买意愿的关系模型, 并检验了产品类别和评论员级别对该模型的调节效应。研究结果表明：第三方评论的好评度、好评数、时效性直接正向影响冲动购买意愿; 好评度以快乐和唤起情感为中介、好评数以快乐情感为中介间接正向影响冲动购买意愿; 消费者购买低涉入度(VS：高涉入度)产品和阅读高级(VS：初级)评论员发布的评论时, 第三方正面评论对冲动购买意愿的影响更强。     

Auction fever: exploring informational social influences on bidder choices

Previous investigations of herd behavior have identified the importance of informational social influences in consumer decision making. This research presents three studies examining herd behavior in online auctions. The three studies addressed the influence on bidder online choices of herd cues frequently found in online auctions, including bid number, feedback ratings, and number of questions and answers. This research also investigated the effect of different levels of herd cues on bidder online choices under high and low brand awareness in online auctions. The experimental results demonstrated that bidders use online herd cues when making decisions in online auctions. Additionally, different levels of herd cues influence bidder online choices in both high and low brand awareness product situations.     

How does green advertising skepticism on social media affect consumer intention to purchase green products?

Underpinned by the stimulus–organism–response model, this study explores the underlying mechanism through which green advertising skepticism on social media affects consumer green purchase intention. It also investigates the boundary factors that moderate this indirect relationship. Performing structural equation modeling on data collected from an online survey on Sina Weibo, this study finds that green advertising skepticism on social media negatively affects green purchase intention through the mediation of perceived information utility. Moreover, interdependent self‐construal positively moderates, and independent self‐construal negatively moderates this indirect relationship. These findings suggest that truthful and consumer‐tailored green advertising is crucial to green product marketing.     

Influences on the perceived risk of purchasing online

This paper examines whether the perceived risk of online purchasing by consumers varies with the frequency of previous purchases, satisfaction with previous purchase experiences, the good/service orientation of an intended purchase and the level of purchase decision involvement required. No association was found between the frequency of online purchasing and perceived risk, although satisfaction with prior internet purchases was negatively associated with the perceived risk of intended purchases, but only for low‐involvement products. Differences in perceived risk were associated with whether the intended purchase was a good or service and whether it was a high or low‐involvement product. Analysis of consumer perceived risks, disaggregated by type of risk and purchase situation, provides insight into impediments that may hinder the expansion of consumer purchasing using the internet. Copyright © 2004 Henry Stewart Publications.     

电子商务中消费者购买决策及其影响因素

电子商务是随着计算机和互联网技术的发展而出现的一种新经济模式, 它正在广泛而深刻地影响着人们的购物观念和购物方式。网上购物是指通过互联网购买商品或享受服务, 也是通常所指的电子商务。国内外关于网上购物的研究缺乏从影响因素到中介作用最后到实际购买关系的整体研究框架。研究者从消费者角度提出了网上购物决策的整体框架, 拟采取访谈法、问卷调查、实验室模拟方法和服务器日志文件收集数据, 探讨我国文化背景下消费者的网上购买决策, 拟探明：影响消费者网上购买决策的因素; 风险认知和网上购物态度在模型中的中介作用; 产品类型、消费者类型及其与网上购物决策模式的关系。预期研究成果对我国电子商务购物环境的改善、电子商务网站的设计、网上营销策略的制定有着重要的意义。     

Exploring how consumer cooperatives might strategically incorporate social media to distribute wine

This research advances our understanding of disruptions to marketing channels in the digital world by investigating the viability of consumer cooperative systems which are envisioned as multi-actor constructed networks using social media (SM) platforms. It introduces the concepts of “social media consumer wine cooperator” as a new distribution channel for wine and investigates the consumer's intention to participate in an SM and become a wine cooperator. Relying on the uses and gratifications theory (UGT), we adopted a quantitative research inquiry with data gathered using an online survey involving a sample of 486 French consumers. We empirically tested the relationships among four factors: attitude toward buying wine based on SM recommendations, perceived risks, intention to buy wine on SM, and consumer intention to become an SM wine cooperator. Findings indicate that the intention to be an SM wine cooperator is positively correlated with attitude toward buying wine based on SM recommendations and the intention to purchase wine on SM. To finish with, we link the concept of the consumer wine co-op to the current debate in the literature on centralized versus decentralized (built on top of blockchain networks) social media platforms, opening the door for future research avenues.     

在线评论数量和质量对网络购物意愿的影响:认知需要的调节作用

为探讨在线评论数量和质量以及认知需要对个体网络购物意愿的影响及其作用机制。以320名有网购经历的在校大学生为被试,采用2(在线评论质量:高vs.低)×2(在线评论数量:多vs.少)×2(认知需要水平:高vs.低)的实验设计。结果发现:(1)在线评论质量和数量对网络购物意愿都有着积极影响;(2)在线评论质量和数量对网络购物意愿的影响会受到认知需要的调节,即在线评论数量和质量对不同认知需要水平个体的影响不同:低认知需要个体会受到在线评论数量的影响,而高认知需要的个体则会受到在线评论质量的影响。研究结果深化了在线评论对网络购物购买决策影响的研究。     

评论不一致性对消费者的双面影响:产品属性与调节定向的调节

以往有研究指出在线评论的不一致性会给企业带来负面影响,也有研究发现存在正面影响。之所以会存在两种截然相反的结论是因为,以往研究没有深入分析评论内容,忽略了造成不一致性的根源所在。通过引入产品属性及消费者调节定向,力图解释以往两种看似冲突的结论。结果表明:评论不一致性会通过影响消费者对产品的风险和独特性感知进而影响其购买意向;垂直属性评论(水平属性)不一致性越高,越会激发消费者的风险感知(独特性感知),进而降低(提高)购买意向;并且消费者调节定向对产品属性的调节作用会进一步调节。     

The persuasive effectiveness of mini‐films: Narrative transportation and fantasy proneness

Little empirical investigation has been made on mini‐films, an innovative online marketing technique of branded entertainment. This study intends to gain a deeper understanding of the advertising effectiveness of mini‐films. Employing a narrative persuasion research approach, an online survey with hyperlinks to a variety of real mini‐films was conducted to test the aggregate persuasive effectiveness of this marketing innovation. The results demonstrated that narrative transportation has a major influence on the attitude toward the mini‐film; the mini‐film attitude fully mediates the effect of narrative transportation to brand attitude, and subsequently to purchase intention. Furthermore, conceptualized as a normal consumer characteristic, the influence of fantasy proneness on the persuasive mechanism of this online advertising genre has also been under study. Empirical evidence showed that fantasy proneness has a positive influence on narrative transportation. This study has made a contribution to academics and practitioners alike for future research into branded entertainment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antecedents of Taiwanese adolescents' purchase intention toward the merchandise of a celebrity: the moderating effect of celebrity adoration

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relative importance of adolescents' attitude toward an act (the degree to which the person had a favorable or unfavorable evaluation or appraisal of the act's behavior in question), perceived norm, and perceived behavioral control in predicting Taiwanese adolescents' intention to purchase the merchandise of a celebrity when they had different levels of celebrity adoration. The present results showed that the relative strengths of attitude toward the act and the perception of behavioral control in predicting purchase intention toward the merchandise of a celebrity were stronger for adolescents in the celebrity adoration group than for adolescents in the celebrity nonadoration group. On the other hand, the relative importance of the perceived norm in predicting the attitude toward the act and the purchase intention was stronger for adolescents in the celebrity nonadoration group than for adolescents in the celebrity adoration group.     

品牌名称暗示性对消费者决策选择的影响：认知需要和专业化水平的调节作用

品牌管理者最首要的决策就是选择一个好记的或有意义的品牌名字。由于任何特征的品牌名字都必须借助消费者的认知差异来实现真正的差异化, 因此, 从消费者认知特点出发研究暗示性品牌名字就显得尤为重要和有意义。本文通过3个实验, 分别验证了消费者认知需要和专业化水平对品牌名称暗示性与决策选择的调节作用。方差分析发现：低专业化水平的消费者更倾向于根据暗示性的品牌名字做出决策, 而高专业化水平的消费者则不受品牌名称暗示程度的影响。此外, 低认知需要的消费者比较喜欢暗示性的品牌名字, 而对于高认知需要的消费者来说, 品牌名字的暗示性程度不会对其决策过程产生影响。最后, 研究结果揭示了专业化水平和认知需要对暗示性品牌名字效果发挥具有交互作用。对于具有高专业化水平的消费者来说, 无论他们处于低认知需要还是高认知需要, 品牌名字的暗示程度都不会影响他们的态度形成。相反地,对于具有低专业化水平的消费者来说, 无论是低认知需要还是高认知需要均倾向于暗示性的品牌名字。而对于专业化程度中等的消费者而言, 暗示性品牌名字效用的发挥则取决于其处理信息的动机—认知需要水平。     

The Use of Cues Depends on Goals: Store Reputation Affects Product Judgments When Social Identity Goals Are Salient

The role that a given cue plays in consumer judgments depends on the motive that is salient for the consumer. We focus on store reputation as a cue whose utilization can depend on salient goals. Research has suggested that store reputation does not influence product judgments when brand and price information are available. In 3 experiments, however, we show that when social identity goals are salient or are perceived as relevant to the product, store reputation (because it conveys image‐relevant information) is used in evaluations of product quality. Specifically, store reputation has an impact on product judgments when either (a) consumers’ social‐image goals are directly heightened or (b) an interdependent self‐construal, characterized by a greater concern with social identity, is salient. The role of product type in moderating these effects is also examined.     

生活方式对大学生在线音乐购买意向的影响：有调节的中介模型

探讨生活方式对大学生在线音乐购买意向的影响机制。采用生活方式量表、在线音乐感知价值量表、神经质量表以及在线音乐购买意向量表对2011名大学生进行调查。结果表明：（1）时尚品味、完美主义和崇尚自由正向预测大学生在线音乐购买意向;（2）在线音乐感知价值在时尚品味与大学生在线音乐购买意向之间起部分中介作用,在线音乐感知价值在崇尚自由与大学生在线音乐购买意向之间起完全中介作用,在线音乐感知价值在中庸内敛、积极进取与大学生在线音乐购买意向之间起遮掩效应;（3）神经质调节了在线音乐感知价值对大学生在线音乐购买意向的影响。