IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/ijmark/v2024y2024i3d10.1007_s43039-024-00095-6.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The role of Youtube channel characteristics in shaping followers’ purchase intentions and behavioural engagement: the serial mediation of satisfaction and channel loyalty

Author

Listed:
  • Salvatore M. Lombardo

    (University of Catania)

Abstract

The increasing importance of social media influencers, such as youtubers, in the consumer decision-making process has prompted scholars to study this phenomenon. The literature has demonstrated that not only influencer attributes but also content characteristics impact follower behaviours. However, the activity of influencers continues to be predominantly described as a persuasion process aimed at engaging followers in behaviours desired by brands and influencers. Drawing upon e-service and influencer marketing literature, this study aims to broaden the exploration of the influencer category from an e-service perspective by investigating the role played by the evaluation of youtuber content in determining follower satisfaction and behaviours. The results show that four characteristics of a YouTube channel (information quality, entertainment quality, interactivity, and content originality) determine follower satisfaction. Furthermore, satisfaction and channel loyalty serially mediate the effect of the characteristics on behaviours related to the endorsed brand (purchase intention of sponsored brands) and the influencer channel (purchase intention of influencers’ brands, behavioural engagement). This study provides a new perspective on influencers by portraying them as service providers for both followers, serving as content creators, and for brands, acting as communication partners, rather than merely as persuaders. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Salvatore M. Lombardo, 2024. "The role of Youtube channel characteristics in shaping followers’ purchase intentions and behavioural engagement: the serial mediation of satisfaction and channel loyalty," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2024(3), pages 247-265, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijmark:v:2024:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s43039-024-00095-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s43039-024-00095-6
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43039-024-00095-6
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43039-024-00095-6?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Onofrei, George & Filieri, Raffaele & Kennedy, Lorraine, 2022. "Social media interactions, purchase intention, and behavioural engagement: The mediating role of source and content factors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 100-112.
    2. Hsieh, Jung-Kuei, 2023. "The impact of influencers' multi-SNS use on followers’ behavioral intentions: An integration of cue consistency theory and social identity theory," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Ladhari, Riadh & Massa, Elodie & Skandrani, Hamida, 2020. "YouTube vloggers’ popularity and influence: The roles of homophily, emotional attachment, and expertise," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    4. Kim, Juran & Lee, Ki Hoon, 2019. "Influence of integration on interactivity in social media luxury brand communities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 422-429.
    5. Kaplan, Andreas M. & Haenlein, Michael, 2010. "Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 59-68, January.
    6. Sokolova, Karina & Kefi, Hajer, 2020. "Instagram and YouTube bloggers promote it, why should I buy? How credibility and parasocial interaction influence purchase intentions," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    7. Jung, Timothy Hyungsoo & Bae, Sujin & Moorhouse, Natasha & Kwon, Ohbyung, 2021. "The impact of user perceptions of AR on purchase intention of location-based AR navigation systems," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    8. Lee, Jung Eun & Watkins, Brandi, 2016. "YouTube vloggers' influence on consumer luxury brand perceptions and intentions," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 5753-5760.
    9. Casaló, Luis V. & Flavián, Carlos & Ibáñez-Sánchez, Sergio, 2020. "Influencers on Instagram: Antecedents and consequences of opinion leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 510-519.
    10. Kim, Minseong, 2022. "How can I Be as attractive as a Fitness YouTuber in the era of COVID-19? The impact of digital attributes on flow experience, satisfaction, and behavioral intention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    11. France, Stephen L. & Shi, Yuying & Vaghefi, Mahyar Sharif & Zhao, Huimin, 2021. "Online video channel management: An integrative decision support system framework," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    12. Kim, Hyejeong & Niehm, Linda S., 2009. "The Impact of Website Quality on Information Quality, Value, and Loyalty Intentions in Apparel Retailing," Journal of Interactive Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 221-233.
    13. Moldovan, Sarit & Goldenberg, Jacob & Chattopadhyay, Amitava, 2011. "The different roles of product originality and usefulness in generating word-of-mouth," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 28(2), pages 109-119.
    14. Farivar, Samira & Wang, Fang & Yuan, Yufei, 2021. "Opinion leadership vs. para-social relationship: Key factors in influencer marketing," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    15. Sokolova, Karina & Perez, Charles, 2021. "You follow fitness influencers on YouTube. But do you actually exercise? How parasocial relationships, and watching fitness influencers, relate to intentions to exercise," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    16. Fulya Acikgoz & Sebnem Burnaz, 2021. "The influence of 'influencer marketing' on YouTube influencers," International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(2), pages 201-219.
    17. Barta, Sergio & Belanche, Daniel & Fernández, Ana & Flavián, Marta, 2023. "Influencer marketing on TikTok: The effectiveness of humor and followers’ hedonic experience," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lu, Hsiao-Han & Chen, Ching-Fu & Tai, Yi-Wen, 2024. "Exploring the roles of vlogger characteristics and video attributes on followers’ value perceptions and behavioral intention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Sardar, Sainaz & Tata, Sai Vijay & Sarkar, Subhro, 2024. "Examining the influence of source factors and content characteristics of influencers' post on consumer engagement and purchase intention: A moderated analysis," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Wong, Amy & Wei, Joicey, 2023. "Persuasive cues and reciprocal behaviors in influencer-follower relationships: The mediating role of influencer defense," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    4. Barta, Sergio & Belanche, Daniel & Fernández, Ana & Flavián, Marta, 2023. "Influencer marketing on TikTok: The effectiveness of humor and followers’ hedonic experience," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    5. Akhtar, Naeem & Siddiqi, Umar Iqbal & Gugnani, Ritika & Islam, Tahir & Attri, Rekha, 2024. "The potency of audiovisual attractiveness and influencer marketing: The road to customer behavioral engagement," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    6. Xiao Liu & Xiaoyong Zheng, 2024. "The persuasive power of social media influencers in brand credibility and purchase intention," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Kim, Minseong, 2022. "How can I Be as attractive as a Fitness YouTuber in the era of COVID-19? The impact of digital attributes on flow experience, satisfaction, and behavioral intention," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Alcántara-Pilar, Juan Miguel & Rodriguez-López, María Eugenia & Kalinić, Zoran & Liébana-Cabanillas, Francisco, 2024. "From likes to loyalty: Exploring the impact of influencer credibility on purchase intentions in TikTok," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    9. Hsieh, Jung-Kuei, 2023. "The impact of influencers' multi-SNS use on followers’ behavioral intentions: An integration of cue consistency theory and social identity theory," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    10. Filieri, Raffaele & Acikgoz, Fulya & Du, Hao, 2023. "Electronic word-of-mouth from video bloggers: The role of content quality and source homophily across hedonic and utilitarian products," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    11. Raza, Ali & Ishaq, Muhammad Ishtiaq & Khan, Ayesha & Ahmad, Rehan & Haj Salem, Narjes, 2023. "How fashion cewebrity influences customer engagement behavior in emerging economy? Social network influence as moderator," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    12. Shan-Shan Liao & Ching-Yuan Lin & Ying-Ji Chuang & Xing-Zheng Xie, 2020. "The Role of Social Capital for Short-Video Platform Users’ Travel Intentions: SEM and Fsqca Findings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-22, May.
    13. Sokolova, Karina & Perez, Charles & Vessal, Saeedeh Rezaee, 2024. "Using social media for health: How food influencers shape home-cooking intentions through vicarious experience," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    14. Alboqami, Hassan, 2023. "Trust me, I'm an influencer! - Causal recipes for customer trust in artificial intelligence influencers in the retail industry," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    15. Nadroo, Zeeshan Majeed & Lim, Weng Marc & Naqshbandi, Mohd Asif, 2024. "Domino effect of parasocial interaction: Of vicarious expression, electronic word-of-mouth, and bandwagon effect in online shopping," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    16. Ching-Fu Chen & Hsiao-Han Lu, 2024. "Transforming a social media influencer’s influential power to followers’ word of mouth and purchase intention: the role of brand attachment, brand credibility, and parasocial relationship," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 31(4), pages 415-429, July.
    17. Nima Jalali & Sangkil Moon & Moon-Yong Kim, 2023. "Profiling diverse reviewer segments using online reviews of service industries," Journal of Marketing Analytics, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(2), pages 130-148, June.
    18. Masuda, Hisashi & Han, Spring H. & Lee, Jungwoo, 2022. "Impacts of influencer attributes on purchase intentions in social media influencer marketing: Mediating roles of characterizations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    19. Tafesse, Wondwesen & Wood, Bronwyn P., 2021. "Followers' engagement with instagram influencers: The role of influencers’ content and engagement strategy," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    20. Zhou, Qi & Li, Bin & Li, Huajun & Lei, Yueqiu, 2024. "Mere copycat? The effects of human versus human-like virtual influencers on brand endorsement effectiveness: A moderated serial-mediation model," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:ijmark:v:2024:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s43039-024-00095-6. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.