No abstract

This study empirically investigates the mediating effect of brand satisfaction on the relationship between brand personality and brand loyalty among Malaysian customers toward local automobile brands (Proton and Perodua). Four hypotheses were developed to test hypothesizing relationships between brand personality and brand satisfaction on brand loyalty. The data were collected from consumers of automobile brands in north Malaysia peninsula from three states which were Kedah, Penanag, and Perlis. This study applies partial least squares to a sample of 458 customers to test hypothesized relationships. The findings indicate that brand personality and brand satisfaction appear to have a positive and significant relationship with brand loyalty. Moreover, brand satisfaction was found to be a mediator in the relationship between brand personality and brand loyalty. The results are compared with earlier findings and implications for further research are discussed.

The mushrooming growth of luxury brands has been evidenced worldwide, especially among developing countries such as Malaysia. Despite Malaysian consumer confidence slowing due to uncertainty about the economic conditions, the demand for luxury brands is still expected to rise. Interestingly, a significant rise in the demand for luxury brands has been observed in the millennials group. This study examines the relationship of electronic word-of-mouth and the country of origin’s image on millennials' attitudes toward luxury brands and the intention to purchase luxury fashion brands. The study among 333 millennials revealed that the country of origin’s image has both direct and indirect effects on the intention to purchase luxury fashion brands. Electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) was found statistically insignificant in explaining the intention to purchase, but eWOM had a significant relationship on intention to purchase through its mediation effect of the attitude toward luxury brands. Accordingly, the findings found support for the balance theory. The results also suggest that the owners of luxury brands should carefully manage the country of origin because it will affect the overall brand image, as perceived by consumers. Limitations and future directions of the study are also included at the end of the article.

In recent years, influencers on social media platforms have received substantial attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Influencers impact consumer purchase intentions, and credibility plays a mediating role in the link between these variables. A survey was conducted in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia with 312 respondents, and partial least squares (PLS-SEM) were used for data analysis. The findings indicate that a significant link was identified between SMIs and purchase intentions, and credibility was determined to play a mediating role between these variables. Furthermore, the findings contribute to understanding customer behavior. The paper discusses the implications and opportunities for the future research.