Understanding influencer marketing: The role of congruence between influencers, products and consumers

Belanche D. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Casaló L.V. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Flavián M. (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ibáñez-Sánchez S. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Influencers increasingly provide sources of information and innovation to followers. Grounded in balance, cognitive dissonance, and congruity theories, the current article highlights how a congruence psychological mechanism, leveraged in influencer marketing campaigns, can contribute to the success of this novel form of persuasive communication. To understand consumers’ behavioral intentions when they encounter product recommendations from fashion influencers on Instagram, this study addresses the congruence among the three inherent contributors to any influencer marketing campaign: the influencer, the consumer (or follower), and the sponsored brand. The study involves 372 followers of a famous fashion influencer. Results confirm that when influencer–consumer congruence is fixed and high, high (low) influencer–product congruence prompts high (low) consumer–product congruence. Strong congruence between the consumer and product then generates more favorable attitudes toward the product, as well as higher purchase and recommendation intentions, ensuring optimal returns on influencer marketing campaigns. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.03.067

Año: 2021

Publicado en: Journal of Business Research 132 (2021), 186-195
ISSN: 0148-2963

Factor impacto JCR: 10.969 (2021)

Categ. JCR: BUSINESS rank: 17 / 154 = 0.11 (2021) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto CITESCORE: 11.2 - Business, Management and Accounting (Q1)

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 2.316 - Marketing (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA-CUS/581-2020
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/S20-20R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/PID2019-105468RB-I00

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)

Área (Departamento): Área Comerci.Investig.Mercados (Dpto. Direc.Mark.Inves.Mercad.)