Social networking sites and customers’ attitude towards advertisements

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to demonstrate the impact of social media users’ positive attitude towards the social networking sites (SNS) on the generation of a positive attitude towards social networking advertisements (SNA). A favourable attitude towards the SNA thus generated can positively influence brand attitude and purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to collect relevant data using a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was conducted using the statistical software AMOS 18.

Findings

Empirical analysis revealed the importance of brand advertisements on the social networks in inciting a positive attitude as well as a purchase intention for the brand in the SNS users’ minds.

Research limitations/implications

The study has been conducted in the Indian context using Facebook as a model social networking site.

Practical implications

Social media being one of the most popular and user-friendly platforms for regular communications, marketers are suggested to allocate a sizeable share of the advertising budget for social media advertisements and customer engagement so as to help build a positive attitude towards the advertised brand in the SNS users’ minds.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the impact of users’ positive evaluation of SNS as an effective communication medium, on the generation of a positive attitude towards the SNA, has been dealt for the first time here.

Citation

Mukherjee, K. and Banerjee, N. (2019), "Social networking sites and customers’ attitude towards advertisements", Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 477-491. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-06-2018-0081