Kiseol Yang, HaeJung Maria Kim and Jonelle Zimmerman
Drawn from the P-A-D approach, the purposes of this study are (1) to investigate the impacts of website attributes on emotional branding process, and (2) to examine the mediating…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawn from the P-A-D approach, the purposes of this study are (1) to investigate the impacts of website attributes on emotional branding process, and (2) to examine the mediating effects of three affective dimensions of pleasure, arousal and dominance on behavioral response towards the fashion brand website.
Design/methodology/approach
By employing the quantitative approach of survey method, data were collected in the US and a sample of 220 participants was used for the analysis. Structural equation modeling analysis was conducted to identify hypothesized relationships in the research model.
Findings
Fashion brand website attributes were found to influence consumer affective experiential states and behavioral responses on emotional branding. Specifically, the mediating effects of the dominance and arousal dimensions were of interest to predict the pleasure dimension, leading to a positive response towards the brand. Positing arousal and dominance as predictors of the degree of pleasure on brand website were accentuated in emotional branding.
Originality/value
This study signifies the role of affect in the emotional branding on websites. Given the academic and practical significance of emotional branding on websites, the findings of the current study provide insights into fashion brands through making possible a fuller understanding of the underlying process of building emotional branding and of how to embed it into consumers' minds when they experience the fashion brand website.
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HaeJung Maria Kim and Swagata Chakraborty
The study aims to explore the digital fashion trend within the Metaverse, characterized by non-fungible tokens (NFTs), across Twitter networks. Integrating theories of diffusion…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to explore the digital fashion trend within the Metaverse, characterized by non-fungible tokens (NFTs), across Twitter networks. Integrating theories of diffusion of innovation, two-step flow of communication and self-efficacy, the authors aimed to uncover the diffusion structure and the influencer's social roles undertaken by social entities in fostering communication and collaboration for the advancement of Metaverse fashion.
Design/methodology/approach
Social network analysis examined the critical graph metrics to profile, visualize, and cluster the unstructured network data. The authors used the NodeXL program to analyze two hashtag keyword networks, “#metaverse fashion” and “#metawear,” using Twitter API data. Cluster, semantic, and time series analyses were performed to visualize the contents and contexts of communication and collaboration in the diffusion of Metaverse fashion.
Findings
The results unraveled the “broadcast network” structure and the influencers' social roles of opinion leaders and market mavens within Twitter's “#metaverse fashion” diffusion. The roles of innovators and early adopters among influencers were comparable in collaborating within the competition venues, promoting awareness and participation in digital fashion diffusion during specific “fad” periods, particularly when digital fashion NFTs and cryptocurrencies became intertwined with the competition in the Metaverse.
Originality/value
The study contributed to theory building by integrating three theories, emphasizing effective communication and collaboration among influencers, organizations, and competition venues in broadcasting digital fashion within shared networks. The validation of multi-faceted Social Network Analysis was crucial for timely insights, highlighting the critical digital fashion equity in capturing consumers' attention and driving engagement and ownership of Metaverse fashion.
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Xusen Cheng, Jian Mou, Xiao-Liang Shen, Triparna de Vreede and Rainer Alt
Guy Parrott, Annie Danbury and Poramate Kanthavanich
Over the past few years online fashion communities have proliferated becoming an increasingly powerful forum for user-generated content, and consequently, the fashion industry has…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past few years online fashion communities have proliferated becoming an increasingly powerful forum for user-generated content, and consequently, the fashion industry has shown great interest in such communities. The purpose of this paper is to review and analyse brand advocacy behaviour within luxury brand accessory forums: to analyse the role these communities play in influencing purchase intention; assessing their contribution to fashion brand love.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a netnographic approach to the phenomenon of online luxury accessory communities. The research reports observational data including blog texts and audience comments for four popular forums: The Purse Forum, The Fashion Spot, The Bag Forum (TBF) and Shoe Forum (SF). Although the forums are open to all and are designed to be internationally relevant; the observations were conducted from a base in the UK.
Findings
Findings indicate that informants display some unifying characteristics clustered around engagement, involvement, self-concept and self-connection, brand love and hedonic values. Informants however, display some discernible differences as they “rally” to two distinctive totems: first, active luxury brand advocates and second, passive brand advocates. Although subtle, these differences suggest significant possibilities for fashion brand owners.
Research limitations/implications
Further research could include the measurement of brand advocacy to distinguish more clearly between high and low levels of advocacy and the resulting consumer behaviour intentions. One sub-group that would be interesting to explore is that of brand evangelists and their relationship with fashion brands: what are the reasons for treating brands as religious artefacts and can this extreme level of advocacy be developed by marketing? The study focused on observing online posts by self-selected brand advocates. A worthwhile comparison could be made with fashion communities where brand marketers are active participants and how this influences the discourse and actions of brand advocates.
Practical implications
The findings indicate that all forum members are incredibly attached to their brands, but will still consider purchasing several brands as their “evoked set”. Additionally, even when demonstrating involvement, they can operate as passive observers in the online community.
Originality/value
Social media, especially online forums, play an important role in contemporary luxury fashion branding. This study addresses the role these forums play in supporting brand love and the contribution they make to luxury brand advocacy. Membership and influence dynamics are reported; which have resonance to both practitioners and researchers.