Syfte & Forskningsfråga: Syftet med denna studie är att förstå hur regionala flygbolag arbetar med elektronisk word-of-mouth (eWOM) genom att undersöka och analysera på vilket sätt företag kan arbeta med eWOM, vilken betydelse eWOM har för tjänster inom turismsektorns privata marknad samt vilket inflytande konsumenter har genom eWOM. Med syftet i baktanke formulerades forskningsfrågan: Vilken betydelse har eWOM för företag inom turismsektorn och hur kan de använda eWOM i sin marknadsföring?   Metod: I denna studie har vi använt oss utav en kvalitativ metod för att ha möjlighet att få en djupare förståelse för det valda forskningsämnet. Redan från början av studien har vi haft ett växelspel mellan teori och empiri, varför det abduktiva synsättet har använts. Vidare har empiriska data samlats in genom sex stycken semi-strukturerade intervjuer tillsammans med användandet av en intervjuguide för att till viss del kunna styra samtalet men samtidigt få mer flexibilitet där respondenterna haft möjlighet att svara fritt. Under intervjuerna har vi använt oss utav en intervjuguide för att till viss del kunna styra samtalet. De valda respondenterna har alla kunskap från arbete med marknadsföring men arbetar i olika positioner och företag.   Slutsatser: I studiens analys har vi kunnat se både instämningar och motsägelser mellan teori och empiri. Det har framkommit att eWOM har en stor betydelse för konsumenter och att de till stor del litar mer på andra kunders åsikter än företagets egen marknadsföring. Det poängteras även att tjänster inom turismsektorn är immateriella och ofta inte möjliga att pröva innan köp, vilket bidrar med osäkerhet för kunden. Utifrån detta har det kunnat konstateras att eWOM är betydelsefullt för att kunden ska kunna skapa sig en uppfattning och kunna utvärdera tjänsten. eWOM har således en stor betydelse för företagets kunder och det är därför direkt centralt för företagen att arbeta med detta i sin marknadsföring. / The purpose of this study has been to develop an understanding of how regional airlines are working with electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through examining and analyzing in which way companies can work with eWOM, what significance eWOM has to services within the tourism sectors private market and what influence consumers has through eWOM. With the purpose in mind the following research questions has been formulated: What significance has eWOM for companies within the tourism sector and how can they use eWOM in their marketing?   In this study we have used a qualitative method to have the possibility to develop a greater understanding of the chosen research topic. From the start of the study we have had an interplay between the theoretical and empirical material and therefore the abductive approach has been used. Furthermore the empirical material has been gathered through six semi-structured interviews with the use of an interview guide. In this way we could to some extent control and steer the conversation but at the same time bring flexibility where the informants had the possibility to speak freely. All the chosen informants have knowledge in marketing but they all work in different positions and companies.   Through the analysis of this study we have been able to both see agreements and disagreements between the theoretical and empirical material. It has been revealed that eWOM has a great significance to consumers and that they to a large extent trust other customers opinions more than they trust the companies own marketing. It has been pointed out that services within the tourism sector are immaterial and often not possible to try before being bought, which contributes with an uncertainty for the customer. Based on this we have found that eWOM has a great meaning for the customers creation of their perception and evaluation of services. eWOM therefore have a great importance for the company's customers and is thereby essential for the company’s marketing strategy.

本研究是根據Feick和Price等學者在傳統實體通路所作的「市場行家」相關研究為出發點，希望在網際網路的世界中也能夠證實「網路市場行家」的存在；「網路市場行家」會因應網際網路的傳播特質，展現他們的市場影響力，故本研究可以視為「市場行家理論」在網際網路環境下的應證與延伸。 本研究所定義的「網路市場行家」，不但積極上網搜尋多元化的商品資訊以及新商品或新品牌的訊息，同時也較常在網路上消費，另外他們每週上網時數高達23.8小時，平均訂閱7.7份免費電子報，也較有意願訂閱付費電子報。 「網路市場行家」對於網路行銷人員的意義在於，他們是「電子口碑」傳播的種子，因為他們平時轉寄電子郵件的頻率比一般人高，同時「網路市場行家」認為市場訊息是重要並值得轉寄給其它人，其中他們最重視的是「特價訊息」，其次才是「產品品質」。而「網路市場行家」最常接觸的行銷管道依次為：閱讀熟人轉寄的電子郵件，其次是收到電子折價券、參與網路促銷贈獎活動、閱讀電子郵件廣告，最後才是點選橫幅廣告。 「網路市場行家」不僅傳遞有用的消費資訊而已，研究也發現他們對於身邊的人在購買「書籍雜誌」的決策上，具有意見領袖影響特質；而「男性網路市場行家」在「電腦硬體及周邊」上具有意見領袖特質，而「女性網路市場行家」則對於「室內休閒娛樂」方面具有意見領袖的影響力。至於在新上市商品的早期購買行為方面，「網路市場行家」會比別人早一步購買「書籍雜誌」類商品，至於其它新商品方面，他們仍是最好的市場訊息的代言人。 「網路市場行家」喜歡蒐尋市場資訊，又較常因人際之間轉寄電子郵件而傳播市場資訊，故他們所傳播的「電子口碑」對於消費行為具有不可忽視的影響力。本研究應證「網路市場行家」特質的存在，不但初步建立「電子口碑傳播」的研究基礎，也延伸了傳統「市場行家」理論的意涵。

Submitted by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-04-07T22:10:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida, Tatiane Nunes Viana de.pdf: 6386798 bytes, checksum: 2058d838b1ff97e17ff623a0ac0dbb89 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-04-19T18:24:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida, Tatiane Nunes Viana de.pdf: 6386798 bytes, checksum: 2058d838b1ff97e17ff623a0ac0dbb89 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-19T18:24:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida, Tatiane Nunes Viana de.pdf: 6386798 bytes, checksum: 2058d838b1ff97e17ff623a0ac0dbb89 (MD5) / Em um ambiente extremamente competitivo, muitas empresas lançam novos produtos de forma sistemática com o intuito de obter um diferencial perante seus concorrentes. Todavia, o excesso de opções no mercado pode confundir e sobrecarregar o consumidor que deseja adquirir um novo produto. Neste contexto, a comunicação boca a boca online surge como uma forma de superar a assimetria de informação ao descrever os atributos do produto em termos de situações de uso, mensurando sua qualidade sob o ponto de vista do usuário, diminuindo o risco do consumidor. Assim, esta tese tem como objetivo geral analisar empiricamente um modelo téorico, baseado na Teoria do Comportamento Planejado, que relacione a atitude em relação à marca, a confiança na marca, o controle comportamental percebido, a norma subjetiva e intenção de compra de um produto eletrônico, em contextos em que os consumidores se deparam com comentários online positivos e negativos. A influência deste tipo de comunicação boca a boca na intenção de compra, em contextos de baixo e alto envolvimento, também foi verificada. O método de pesquisa adotado foi o experimental, sendo o delineamento estudo de grupo de controle pré-teste/pós-teste, com esquema fatorial 2 x 3. A amostra final válida foi de 690 alunos de IES de Salvador/BA. A abordagem de pesquisa foi quantitativa e foram utilizados métodos da estatística descritiva, análise fatorial, teste t e modelagem de equações struturais para a análise dos dados. Os resultaram comprovaram que os comentários online influenciam a intenção de compra, sendo que o maior efeito foi verificado em relação as informações positivas. Os indivíduos com baixo envolvimento foram mais influenciados pelos comentáriosonline positivos, enquanto que os com alto envolvimento foram mais impactados pelos comentários online negativos. Em relação ao modelo teórico, foi incluído um construto de segunda ordem, denominado fatores motivacionais da intenção de compra, responsável pela maior variação na intenção de compra em todos os modelos analisados. Os fatores de ordem pessoal – confiança na marca e atitude em relação à marca – foram os que apresentaram maior impacto na formação do construto de segunda ordem e também os que, de forma indireta, explicaram a maior variação na intenção de compra em todos os modelos analisados. De uma forma geral, os resultados apontam para a necessidade de as empresas investirem em marcas fortes e confiáveis, dedicando maior atenção às estratégias de comunicação e à manutenção de relacionamentos de longo prazo com seus clientes. Não obstante, ressalta-se que os comentários online não devem ser negligenciados. In an extremely competitive environment, many companies launch new products in a systematic way in order to get a differential to its competitors. However, the excess of options in the market can confuse and overwhelm consumers who wish to purchase a new product. In this context,electronic word-of-mouth appears as a way to overcome information asymmetry in describing the attributes of the product in terms of situations, measuring its quality from the user's point of view, reducing the consumer's risk. Thus, this thesis has the general objective to empirically analyze a theoretical model based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, which relates the attitude toward the brand, trust in the brand, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm and purchase intent of an electronics products, in contexts where consumers are faced with positive and negative online consumers reviews. The influence of this type of word-of-mouth communication in purchase intent, contexts of below and high involvement, was also checked. The research method adopted was the experimental, and the study design pretest control group before-test/post-test with factorial 2 x 3. The valid final sample was of 690 students from Universities at Salvador/BA. The research approach was quantitative and were used methods of descriptive statistics, factor analysis, t-test and structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The result proved that the online consumers reviews influence purchase intent, with the greatest effect it was checked against the positive information. Individuals with low involvement were more influenced by the positive online consumers reviews, while with high involvement were most impacted by the negative online consumers reviews. Regarding the theoretical model, it was included a second-order construct, called motivational factors of intent to purchase, accounted for most variation in purchase intent in all the analyzed models. The factors of personal order - trust in the brand and attitude toward the brand - presented the main contribution to the second-order construct and also those who, indirectly, explained most variation in purchase intent for all models analyzed. In general, the results point to the need for companies to invest in strong and trusted brands, devoting more attention to communication strategies and maintaining long-term relationships with their customers. However, the online consumers reviews should not be overlooked.

För många resenärer är internet den främsta källan att använda sig av vid bokning av resor och turismtjänster. Detta har i sin tur bidragit till nya sätt att samla information på inom turismbranschen. Ett av dessa sätt är via recensioner som är internetbaserade, även kallat elektronisk word of mouth (eWOM). Syftet med studien är att bidra med kunskap om eWOM uppfattas trovärdigt nog för att ha inflytande på köpprocessen vid bokning av boende. Studien är baserad på teorier som behandlar köpbeslutsprocessen, eWOMs egenskaper, hur eWOM kan utvärderas, positiva och negativa recensioner samt falska recensioner. Utifrån dessa teorier har en kvalitativ forskningsmetod tillämpats genom åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjufrågorna bestod av tre till åtta frågor per teman utifrån teorierna nämnda ovan. Studiens urval är baserat på att endast undersöka webbplatsen Tripadvisor, privatresenärer som reser minst två gånger per år och som vid något tillfälle har använt sig av Tripadvisor. Resultatet indikerar att respondenterna har en positiv syn till eWOM och det är en del av deras köpbeslutsprocess vid bokning av boende dock är det inte den enda källan som de använder sig av för att komma fram till ett beslut. Kommunikationssättet är ett smidigt sätt att samla information på och trots att det sprids anonymt anses det inte vara tvivelaktigt. Resultatet visar även att det är viktigt att se om recensionerna överensstämmer med varandra samt att läsa både positiva och negativa recensioner. / The internet is for many travelers the main source for booking trips and tourism services, which has contributed to new ways of gathering information in the tourism industry. One of these ways is through onlinebased reviews, also called electronic word of mouth (eWOM). The aim of this study is to contribute with knowledge if eWOM is perceived to be credible enough to influence the purchasing process when booking accommodation. This study adopts theories that illustrates the purchasing decision process, electronic word of mouth's characteristics, how eWOM can be evaluated, positive and negative reviews as well as fake reviews. Based on these theories a qualitative research method has been applied containing eight semistructured interviews. The interview questions consisted of three to eight questions per theme based on the mentioned theories. The study's selection is based on the website Tripadvisor and private travelers who travel at least twice a year and have used Tripadvisor before. The result indicates that the participated respondents have a positive view of eWOM and it is part of their purchasing decision-making process when booking accommodation, however, it is not the only information source they use. According to the respondents the communication method is a convenient way of gathering information and despite being spread anonymously it is not considered to be doubtful. The result also shows that it is important to evaluate if the reviews are consistent with each other and it is significant to read both positive and negative reviews.

As social media becomes a more important part of people’s everyday lives, it is also becoming a more important part of the corporate market. Due to the complaints received on social media sites, some forms of customer care are being directly, or indirectly, carried out on social media. Part of this customer care is apologizing in response to complaints. The purpose of this case study is therefore to examine the apologies, apology strategies and expressions of regret employed when apologizing in response to customer complaints on Twitter by the two airlines Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA and Air France. The aim of the study is to compare the different forms, and frequencies, of the apologies, apology strategies and expressions of sympathy/regret the companies employ to apologize. This is done through examining tweets from both airlines and looking at the use of certain keywords, as well as through analysis of the tweets in context. The results are then related to image repair theory and politeness theory. The most significant findings show a clear preference for certain Illocutionary Indication Devices, and strategies within each airline. Moreover, there is a clear difference in how the two airlines use Twitter to communicate with their customers, with Air France employing a more cohesive style, than Norwegian.

The goal of this thesis is to investigate the effects of different hotel response strategies to negative user-generated electronic word of mouth on online travel guide sites and subsequently to identify managerial implications that would lead to an effective online review management in the hotel industry. Three basic response strategies to a negative review were identified: no-response strategy, defensive response strategy and accommodating response strategy. An experimental research method with 240 respondents proved that accommodating response to a negative review has positive impact on customer's perception of a hotel. The most negative perception was observed by the defensive response strategy. The results of this experimental research were confirmed in a Mann-Whitney U-test.

Cette thèse explore le concept, l’état de la littérature, et les implications commerciales de la bouche-a-oreille électronique (eWOM). Elle est basée sur un article conceptuel et deux articles empiriques. Dans le premier essai, j’apporte une clarification conceptuelle en mettant en évidence la multidimensionnalité du concept qui comporte cinq aspects (qui, quoi, où, quand et comment). Dans le second essai, le modèle résultant du premier essai est suivi d'une analyse historique des dimensions, terminologies équivalentes, théories et méthodes utilisées dans la recherche existante pour étudier l’eWOM.Utilisant l'analyse de réseau de citations, j’identifie des lacunes dans la littérature scientifique afin de faciliter la construction progressive de connaissances dans ce domaine. Enfin, dans le troisième essai, j'utilise une méta-analyse pour tester empiriquement les effets modérateurs de quatre des cinq dimensions de l’eWOM sur l'efficacité des ventes. J’observe que l’eWOM est corrélé positivement avec les ventes (.091), mais que son efficacité diffère grandement en fonction de la plateforme, du produit considéré et des mesures utilisées. Les implications théoriques et managériales, ainsi que des pistes de futures recherches, sont discutées. / This dissertation explores the construct, prior scientific inquiry, and market implications of electronic word of mouth (eWOM), and it is based upon one conceptual and two empirical papers. In the first essay, I provide conceptual clarity by dimensionalizing the construct according to five aspects (the Who, What, Where, When, and How of eWOM). In the second essay, the resulting organizing framework is followed up with a historical analysis of eWOM dimensions, aliases, theories, and methodologies used in prior research.Additionally, I employ citation network analysis in order to identify gaps in scholarly communication and facilitate progressive knowledge building in this area. Finally, in the third essay, I use meta-analysis to empirically test the moderating impact of four of the five eWOM dimensions on sales effectiveness. I find that eWOM is positively correlated with sales (.091), but its effectiveness differs across platform, product, and metric factors. Theoretical and practical implications, as well as avenues for further research are discussed.

I samband med den växande teknologiska utvecklingen har spridningen av internetbaserade recensioner, även kallat electronic-word-of-mouth (eWOM), fått en allt större betydelse för konsumenterna inför ett köpbeslut. Turismbranschen är ett exempel på en bransch där allt fler människor använder online recensioner vid val av hotell online. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur den negativa spridningen av eWOM påverkar köpbeslutsprocessen hos svenska konsumenter vid onlinebokning av hotell. Studien baserades på teorier som belyser följande ämnen; köpbeslutsprocessen, trovärdighet och eWOM.  Studiens urval grundades på individer som har tidigare erfarenheter av hotellbokning online och använder online recensioner vid sin informationssökning samt är över 18 år gamla. Studien bestod av en kvalitativ undersökning där tio respondenter har intervjuats på ett semistrukturerat vis. Intervjufrågorna bestod av 35 frågeställningar som var tematiserade i fyra olika teman med sju subteman och utformade efter studiens frågeställningar samt syfte.  Resultatet påvisade att majoriteten av respondenterna i undersökningen ansåg att negativa recensioner är till hjälp inför deras köpbeslut. Detta gäller vid osäkerhet eller informationsbrist gällandes hotellet. Resultatet visade även att negativ eWOM har en större påverkan på konsumenternas köpbeslut än positiv eWOM.  Majoriteten av respondenterna tyckte att tvåsidig information var en viktig faktor inför deras köpbeslut, samt att recensioner skall vara detaljerade. Den uppfattade trovärdigheten ökade ifall webbplatsen var lättanvänd, allmänt känd och modern. / With regards to the global technological advancements and the effects of both external and internal factors on consumers' decision-making process. Consumers utilize online platforms to convey and to perceive other’s opinions, the act falls under the category electronic word of mouth (eWOM). The aim of this study was to reach a deeper understanding of how negative electronic word of mouth (neWOM) affects consumers' buyer decision process.  The study utilized theories that highlight the following areas: consumer buyer decision process, credibility, electronic word of mouth. With regards to these theories a qualitative research method was applied, and ten semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interview questions were divided into different themes, based on the previously stated theories.  The results indicated that negative reviews are of value for the participants of the study prior to purchasing decisions, especially during situations of insecurity and lack of information. It also showed that neWOM has an effect on their consumer buyer decision process. Their capability to trust certain webpages were based on the popularity, design and the navigational sense of ease or difficulty of the webpage. The results also showed that negative reviews were perceived as more trustworthy by most of the participants.

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the influence e-WOM through social network sites has on consumers focusing on brand perception and purchase intention.  Methodology: A qualitative study was applied with the semi-structured online interview conducted with nine respondents across Bangladesh. The collected primary data were transcribed and thematically analyzed with the reviewed literature.  Findings and Conclusion: We conclude that e-WOM through SNS helps consumers to select smartphones and gadgets. Due to paid reviews and negative influencers, trustworthiness is vital on SNS reviews. Also, the recommendation from known sources or personal research increases brand perception. Rather than relying on single reviews on SNS, it is highly recommended to justify the reviews for purchase intention of smartphones or gadgets. Contribution of the Thesis: This study suggests that e-WOM through SNS influences consumers' purchase of smartphones or gadget brands. It is recommended for the managers to determine reviewers on SNS regarding smartphone or gadget brands. Besides, this study exposes the importance of trustworthiness in SNS reviews.  Suggestion for the Future Research: We suggest future research on a similar topic using a larger sample size. We also propose a comparative study with two or more countries on similar products to determine differences and results relatively. Besides, this study only focused on smartphones or gadget items; focusing on different products with larger audiences might be done for future research. Furthermore, future research could be done

Purpose: The aim of the study is to find out which factor of brand awareness, digital content marketing on social media and eWOM, has the greatest impact on a consumer's online purchase decision.  Methodology: A quantitative study that aims to create a basic understanding of which variable of brand awareness, social media content marketing and eWOM has the greatest impact on a consumer's purchase decision. Data was collected via online survey, with 319 responses, which are analyzed in order to draw a relevant conclusion.  Findings: Based on the collected survey data and previous studies, this study provides insights into the research question, “Which impacts consumers' online purchase decisions most: brand awareness, digital content marketing on social media, or eWOM?”. The findings suggest that brand awareness is perceived to have the most significant influence on respondents' online purchase decisions. However, it is important to note that further in-depth investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions and provide a comprehensive understanding of consumers' online purchase decisions. Therefore, the research question may remain partially unanswered, highlighting the need for future research in this area.  Research limitations: This study is geographically limited to consumers in Sweden and a survey is sent out to respondents of different ages via social media. / Syfte: Syftet med studien är att få svar på vilken variabel av varumärkeskännedom, digital innehållsmarknadsföring på sociala medier och eWOM som har störst påverkan på konsumentens köpbeslut online utifrån studiens insamlade data.  Metod: En kvantitativ studie som syftar till att skapa en grundläggande förståelse för vilken variabel av varumärkeskännedom, digital innehållsmarknadsföring på sociala medier och eWOM som har störst påverkan på en konsumentens köpbeslut. Data var insamlad via en online enkät, med 319 svar, som analyserades för att kunna dra en relevant slutsats.  Resultat: Baserat på den insamlade data från enkätundersökningen, samt tidigare teorier, ger denna studie en inblick i forskningsfrågan, “Vilket av varumärkeskännedom, digital innehållsmarknadsföring på sociala medier eller eWOM har störst påverkan på konsumenters köpbeslut online?”. Resultaten tyder på att varumärkeskännedom uppfattas ha störst inverkan på respondenternas köpbeslut online. Det är dock viktigt att notera att det krävs ytterligare djupgående undersökningar för att dra definitiva slutsatser och ge en omfattande förståelse för konsumenternas köpbeslut online. Därför kan forskningsfrågan förbli delvis obesvarad, vilket understryker behovet av framtida forskning inom detta område.  Avgränsningar: Denna studie är geografiskt avgränsad till konsumenter i Sverige och en enkät skickas ut till respondenter i olika åldrar via sociala medier.