The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer - Moderating Role of Gender and Income

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities on consumer behavior (i.e. value consciousness, brand consciousness, and brand loyalty) in the light of the moderation effect of gender and income.

Methodology: The questionnaire method was used for data collection. 261 questionnaire was gained through convenience and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed with SPSS-24 and AMOS-23. Explanatory factor analysis was first done with SPSS. To test the moderation effects multigroup moderation analysis was performed in AMOS.

Findings: SMM (perceived social media marketing activities) impacts brand loyalty (for male, female, and lower-income sample), value consciousness (for male, higher income, and lower-income sample), and brand consciousness (for male, higher income, and lower-income sample). The effect of gender as a moderator is not statistically significant. The effect of income as a moderator is significant in only two paths.

Originality/Importance: At a time when social media usage increases and brand loyalty declines, it is important to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities on consumer behavior. The present study underlines the value of replication studies in a cross-cultural context. Besides, the moderation effect of gender and income were tested.