Impact of fake news on social image perceptions and consumers’ behavioral intentions
Impact of fake news on social image perceptions and consumers’ behavioral intentions
复制标题
假新闻对社会形象认知和消费者行为意图的影响
DOI：
10.1108/jcm-05-2020-3857
复制
发表时间：
2021
影响因子：
2.8
通讯作者：
Sridhar Samu
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Anubhav A. Mishra;Sridhar Samu
目的
Purpose
This paper aims to examine how content relevancy influences consumers’ preference to receive and share fake news. Further, it investigates how these receivers perceive the social image of the people who share fake news. Finally, this study examines how brand strength and valence and credibility of fake content influence consumer’s word-of-mouth recommendations, purchase intentions and attitude toward the brand.
Design/methodology/approach
Three experiments were conducted to test the hypotheses. The data was analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance and PROCESS techniques.
Findings
Findings indicate that people prefer to receive and share relevant content, even if it is fake. Sharing fake news conveys the sender’s sociability but also creates a negative perception of narcissism. Individuals are more likely to recommend a brand if the fake news is perceived as credible and positive (vs negative). Finally, brand-strength can help brands to negate the harmful effects of fake news.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can explore the role of group dynamics, tie-strength and media richness (text, image and videos) in the dispersion of fake news and its impact on brands.
Practical implications
Marketers should communicate and educate consumers that sharing fake content can harm their social image, which can reduce information dispersion. Marketers should also improve brand-strength that can protect the brand against the adverse impact of fake news.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the emerging literature on fake news by studying the impact of fake news on consumer intentions and attitudes toward the brand, which are critical for the success of any brand.