Symposia & Conferences
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Item The Impact of Social Media Influencer’s Credibility on Gen Z Purchase Intentions with the Mediating Role of Brand Image Special Reference to the Sri Lankan Restaurant Industry(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Dhanushan, K.; Subasinghe, S. M. A. N. M.Social media has reshaped how businesses connect with their audiences, and the restaurant industry has eagerly embraced these changes. The growing influence of social media influencers has brought a fresh perspective to marketing, offering brands a way to engage directly with their target audiences. This study examines the role of influencer credibility defined by expertise, trustworthiness and attractiveness in shaping the purchasing decisions of Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it highlights how brand image acts as a bridge, amplifying the connection between influencer credibility and consumer purchase intentions. The research relies on the Source Credibility Model and the Elaboration Likelihood Model to ground its findings. A quantitative approach formed the backbone of this study, involving structured questionnaires distributed to 345 respondents. Using correlation and regression analyses the research reveals some fascinating insights. Among the three components of influencer credibility, expertise emerged as the most influential factor in driving purchase decisions. This suggests that Gen Z consumers in Sri Lanka gravitate toward influencers who demonstrate deep knowledge and authority in their respective niches. While trustworthiness and attractiveness also play important roles in swaying consumer behavior, their influence is somewhat secondary compared to expertise. The findings also underscore the importance of brand image as a mediator in this dynamic. A strong and cohesive brand image not only enhances the effectiveness of influencer endorsements but also solidifies consumer trust and interest. This highlights the strategic value of investing in a brand image that resonates with the target audience, making influencer marketing efforts more impactful. For marketers in the restaurant industry, these insights are especially relevant. The study emphasizes the need to collaborate with influencers who align closely with the brand’s identity and values. Generation Z, known for its digital savviness and preference for authenticity, responds positively to influencers who come across as both credible and relatable. At the same time, developing a compelling brand image becomes a critical part of the strategy, ensuring that influencer campaigns not only grab attention but also leave a lasting impression. What makes this study particularly valuable is its focus on Sri Lanka, a culturally distinct and dynamic market. By tailoring strategies to fit the preferences of local consumers, businesses can create more meaningful connections with their audience. The findings also contribute to the broader academic discourse on influencer marketing, shedding light on its impact in emerging economies. In summary, this research highlights how social media influencers, when paired with a well-defined brand image, can significantly influence consumer behavior. For businesses in the restaurant sector, it offers a clear roadmap focus on credible influencers, strengthening the brand image, and engaging with Generation Z on their terms. By doing so, marketers can stay competitive and relevant in a fast-evolving, digital-first marketplace.Item Electronic Word of Mouth (E-WOM) Influences Consumers’ Purchase Intentions for Herbal Cosmetic Products: Mediating Role of Brand Image with Special Reference to Facebook Users in Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Kavindi, H. P. N.; Subasinghe, S. M. A. N. M.This study investigates how E-WOM influences consumer purchase intention regarding herbal cosmetic products, with a mediating role of brand image. The research addresses an extremely important problem, even though the global herbal cosmetics market is growing fast, it is little known how digital interaction-specifically the E-WOM-affects consumer purchasing decisions regarding purchases made within a Sri Lankan context. The research effort places itself within the existing literature probing how dimensions of E-WOM quality, quantity, and credibility interact with brand image to shape purchase intentions. Addressing these gaps, this study contributes to a refined understanding of digital consumer behavior and hence provides actionable insights for marketers in the herbal cosmetics sector. The research design is quantitative, and the required responses were measured through a structured questionnaire among 403 Facebook users in Sri Lanka. A total number of survey participants or questionnaire responders would be comprised of convenience sampling from existing users exposed to herbal cosmetic products in general. In this conceptual model, E-WOM would then represent an independent variable, and purchase intention is the dependent variable. Therefore, the brand image represents the mediating variable. Likewise, data analysis will be executed in correspondence with IBM SPSS Statistics 25. Further analysis of descriptive statistics is necessary for correlation and regression analysis. For an adequate analytical approach, the association among all these variables has been thoroughly checked to make sure the extracted insights on consumer behavioral dynamics turn out reliable. Results validate that E-WOM will have a great influence on the purchase intention of consumers. This study found, that e-WOM Quality Increasingly accurate, reliable, and useful information increases consumers' trust and decreases uncertainty. It leads to a higher purchase intention E-WOM Quantity The greater the number of reviews and discussions, the more diversified opinions will be, which allows consumers to gain confidence in making decisions. E-WOM Credibility, Credibility, and authenticity of online reviews shape consumer attitude. In this relationship, brand image appeared as an important mediator that enhances the positive influence of E-WOM on purchase intention. When the brand image is trustful, well-known, and with positive associations, it enhances the effect of digital word-of-mouth communication. These findings also compare to the wider knowledge of E-WOM impacts from relevant past studies in other industries, hence extending the insights to the specific herbal cosmetics market. Though the study provides valuable insights, it is not without limitations. The convenience sample may affect generalizability since the sample may not be representative of the wider population. The research has only been conducted on the social media site 'Facebook', thus narrowing the scope of the studies, and maybe other platforms such as 'Instagram' or 'Twitter' may have various ways in which consumers interact. The design is cross-sectional, and it cannot allow changes in consumer behavior to be assessed over time. Such limitations may be overcome by the adoption of longitudinal designs in future studies, extending the research to multiple social media platforms. The contribution brought about by this study is both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, the research has enriched knowledge of the dimensions of E-WOM and their relationship with brand image. It proposes a framework that can be useful in other niche markets as well. It underlines the role that brand image has played to date as a mediating factor in digital interactions and consumer behavior. Results give actionable practical ways in which marketers can use the herbal cosmetics industry. Therefore, companies are encouraged to generate E-WOM content that is of high quality, credible, and engaging, while building their brand image through transparent communication, ethical sourcing, and in line with values that mean something to the consumers. These will impart further strength to E-WOM campaigns. The present study will also provide a platform for further studies in the domain by investigating other mediating variables like consumer trust or perceived effectiveness of the product and the extension of the study to cross-cultural settings.Item Impact of Brand Knowledge on Consumer Lifetime Value with Special References to Ayurvedic Products in Sri Lanka.(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Sudharshana, N.A.; Gayathree, D.A.G.P.K.In Sri Lanka Ayurvedic industry can be define as growing industry in today context then it is critical to understand about future development of this industry. As marketing student researcher tried to figure it out how it can be applied branding concept in order to develop this ayurvedic industry in Sri Lanka. Researcher found that even though there is a possibility to develop this industry most of companies do not engage with high branding concept and brand development task such as FMCG industry. But if companies develop their brand by taking some effort actually it will be impact to their loyal customer base in other word their cash generating ability will increase. There is story behind to select this topic also that is researcher got job in ayurvedic product manufacturing company and that company do not engage with more branding and particular company not spend more money to develop their Ayurvedic brands. In that sense researcher though that there is opportunity to develop this industry by using brand as mentioned early. Then researcher needed to figure it out is that true? To prove it researcher has done this study. Then researcher finally proved that if company come up with branding concept such as FMCG market then that day will be a great day to ayurvedic industry in Sri Lanka.Item The Impact of Social Media on Brand Image: A Study of Higher Education Industry in Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya, 2016) Fernando, S.R.C.; Wijesundara, C.B.The basic purpose behind this research is to find out the impact of successful Social web. Companies are constantly monitor its changes of the brand image. However it’s also necessary for them to take into account the rapid spread of social media and the rising number of social media users. Each company’s aim is to create positive brand image or if not positive, then at least an image that will lead to profitable results, leading positions on the market and opportunities for future growth. Therefore the analysis of social media and what is the effectiveness of social media platforms on organizations image toward brands will provide efficient and helpful insights for companies. Based on a sample of 200 respondents drawn from students of higher education institutes in Colombo, the study measured the relationship between social media and brand image following the quantitative methodology of conducting research. Researcher utilized the questionnaire method as the mean of primary data collection. Gathered data was analyzed using SPSS software and correlation and regression were used as the main inferential statistics to verify the relationship. Findings from this study provide some insights for the higher education industry. Firstly, with the use of social media, companies can create and enhance its brand image and subsequently lead to attract customers. Especially in private sector universities need to attract more customers to make the profit. But when it comes to the state universities it is important to create and maintain the relationship between students and university. However, marketers must keep in mind that the Social media is a great tool that influences brand image as social media is two way communication method. While the viral marketing information is seem to be trusted by users, marketers should prioritize and implement them in their advertising strategy.Item Impact of Brand Image on Consumer Purchasing Behaviour in Women’s Intimate Market in Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, University of Kelaniya, 2016) Weerakoon, L.D.R.; Fernando, P.M.P.The concept of ‘brand image’ has drawn a great attention from marketing practitioners, academics as well as consumers ever since it was populated, because it plays an important role in marketing practices of a company. A good brand image not only creates a clear brand differentiation but also increases consumer preference and brand loyalty. This study is aiming to fulfill the gap in studying the role brand image play in consumer purchasing behaviour in women’s intimate market in Sri Lanka. The literature review highlighted that functional benefits, emotional benefits and brand awareness create impact on consumer purchasing behaviour and these variables lead to the development of conceptual model for the study. An online self-administrated questionnaire was used to conduct a survey among a sample of 100 respondents who were selected through convenience sampling technique. Findings revealed that brand image is a key component in influencing consumer purchasing behaviour in women’s intimates market in Sri Lanka. The Pearson's correlation coefficients for all three sub variables showed moderate to higher correlation to purchasing behaviour which was once again proved through the multiple regressions analysis.Item The influence of service quality on customer loyalty in telecommunication Industry Sri Lanka(Department of Accountancy, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Chathurika, H.A.M.The main objective for the study is to assess how the customer satisfaction influences the customer loyalty. Services are rapidly growing into a major contributor to the Sri Lankan as well as the world economy, providing an ever increasing proportion to their GDPs. In this no exaggeration, then to say, that will be the key to long term economic success. As such as, it is essential stage to study why customers switch service providers The purpose of this study is to find out why customers switch producers in telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka. The objective of this study is to find out how the variable service quality will leads on customers switching. Telecommunication industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Sri Lankan Service industry. There are Five major industries available in targeted areas. Primary data will be hope to collected from the customers through well designed questionnaires. Also focus group discussion and some of interview take placed to justify the findings. Targeted area is Gampaha district and sample size is 300 questionnaires. Interview and focus group discussion have taken place to find out the influences on purchasing. Hypothesis has formed as perceived higher level of service quality negatively correlated switching behavior. Collected data will be analyzed by quantitative techniques and MS excel sheet used to interpretation.