The impact of eWOM information in social media on the online purchase intention of Generation Z

Abstract

AbstractThis research aims to investigate the impact of characteristics of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), including Information Quality, Information Credibility, Information Quantity; and consumer behavior, including Needs of Information, and Attitudes towards Information, on the online purchase intention of Generation Z consumers in the context of social media. The research used a quantitative approach with a Likert scale questionnaire to collect the data from 280 Vietnamese Generation Z individuals. Statistical techniques, including Cronbach’s Alpha Test, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirm Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling, were used for data analysis. The findings indicated that Information Quality, Information Quantity, and Needs of Information significantly influenced Information Usefulness. Moreover, Information Quality, Needs of Information, and Attitudes towards Information had a significant impact on Information Adoption. Notably, Information Quality exhibited the strongest positive influence on both Information Usefulness and Information Adoption. The study found that Information Usefulness had a significant impact on Information Adoption and on Information Adoption had a significant impact on purchase intention. This result illustrated that information adoption and information usefulness act as partial mediators in the relationships between the independent variables and purchase intentions. This research distinguishes itself from previous studies by simultaneously identifying independent factors that affect Information Usefulness and Information Adoption. This provides marketers with better understanding the important of eWOM information on consumer purchase intention on social media. To address limitations and enhance the overall understanding of the research area, future studies should increase the sample size, diversify geographical representation, and conduct comparative analyses across different generational cohorts.

Keywords

• Electronic word-of-mouth
• eWOM information
• social media
• online purchase intention
• Generation Z
• Len Tiu Wright, De Montfort University Faculty of Business and Law, United Kingdom