What makes followers loyal? The role of influencer interactivity in building influencer brand equity

Datos Bibliográficos

ID23360511
AutoresSunghee Jun, Sung-Hee Jun (Seoul National University), Jisu Yi (0000-0002-2176-9770, Sejong University)
Año2020
Volumen29
Número6
Páginas803-814
Fecha de publicación2020-06-30
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of Product & Brand Management (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1061-0421 • E-ISSN: 2054-1643
EditorialEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/jpbm-02-2019-2280
OpenAlexW3039866247
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas63
Referencias citadas73

Purpose This paper aims to present a mechanism that explains how followers become loyal to social media influencers. It suggests influencer interactivity as a unique feature of influencer brands and investigates how it affects influencer authenticity, emotional attachment, and thus brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey of 282 social media users was conducted to estimate the conceptual model. Participants were asked to respond to the survey questions based on their perceptions of a specific influencer they follow on social media. The relationships among variables were tested via structural equation modeling. Findings The findings show that influencer interactivity is positively related to influencer authenticity and emotional attachment. Influencer authenticity mediates the effect of interactivity on emotional attachment and directly affects brand trust. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that followers’ emotional attachment to influencer brands increases brand loyalty through brand trust. Originality/value This study is the first to approach influencers as a brand, rather than a brand endorser. Specifically, this study conceptualizes the influencer brand’s interactivity and finds a link between influencer interactivity and the followers’ perception of influencer authenticity. It discusses why influencer interactivity and authenticity play key roles in shaping influencer brand equity. This study contributes to both the human brands and the influencer marketing literature by proposing a model to understand how the brand equity of the influencer brand is formed.

Advertising · Brand awareness · Brand equity · Brand Loyalty · Brand management · Business · Creativity · Influencer marketing · Interactivity · Loyalty · Marketing management · Originality · Perception · Political science · Relationship marketing · Social media · Structural equation modeling · Computer Science · Digital Communication and Language · Digital Marketing and Social Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Marketing · Psychology · Social Psychology