From pixels to fame an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement

Virtual Influencers (VIs) are artificially-generated characters that are designed to behave like real social media influencers. These digital natives are becoming increasingly popular as brands seek new ways to engage with younger audiences. Being a fresh subject of interest, extant literature has m...

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Main Author: KHUAT, Hoàng
Other Authors: Kauppakorkeakoulu, School of Business and Economics, Taloustieteet, Business and Economics, Jyväskylän yliopisto, University of Jyväskylä
Format: Master's thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86822
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author KHUAT, Hoàng
author2 Kauppakorkeakoulu School of Business and Economics Taloustieteet Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_facet KHUAT, Hoàng Kauppakorkeakoulu School of Business and Economics Taloustieteet Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä KHUAT, Hoàng Kauppakorkeakoulu School of Business and Economics Taloustieteet Business and Economics Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_sort KHUAT, Hoàng
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description Virtual Influencers (VIs) are artificially-generated characters that are designed to behave like real social media influencers. These digital natives are becoming increasingly popular as brands seek new ways to engage with younger audiences. Being a fresh subject of interest, extant literature has mainly explored VIs through key differences from their human counterpart. However, it is unclear how users may perceive these digital creations. This study examines the interaction between VIs and generation Z Instagram users in terms of Parasocial Interaction and perceived VIs’ attributes, with Customer Engagement as the outcome. A measurement model was developed with credibility, authenticity, humanization, and novelty value being the key VIs’ attributes. Primary data was collected through an online survey (N=221). The findings show significant positive impacts of Parasocial Interaction with VIs on Customer Engagement. However, this effect is partially mediated by the perception of VIs’ credibility and novelty value. The measurement model explains 73% of Customer Engagement, with novelty value having the strongest effect on this outcome. The research provides theoretical contributions to the B2C endorsement literature while bridging the gap between VIs and younger audiences' outcomes. Managerial implications reveal how brands can harness the benefits of implementing these novel characters.
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spellingShingle KHUAT, Hoàng From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement Virtual Influencers parasocial interaction influencers’ attributes customer engagement Markkinointi Marketing 20423 z-sukupolvi sosiaalinen media vaikuttajamarkkinointi somevaikuttajat generation z social media influencer marketing social media influencers
title From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
title_full From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
title_fullStr From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
title_full_unstemmed From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
title_short From pixels to fame
title_sort from pixels to fame an empirical study of virtual influencers and gen z customer engagement
title_sub an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
title_txtP From pixels to fame : an empirical study of Virtual Influencers and gen Z customer engagement
topic Virtual Influencers parasocial interaction influencers’ attributes customer engagement Markkinointi Marketing 20423 z-sukupolvi sosiaalinen media vaikuttajamarkkinointi somevaikuttajat generation z social media influencer marketing social media influencers
topic_facet 20423 Marketing Markkinointi Virtual Influencers customer engagement generation z influencer marketing influencers’ attributes parasocial interaction social media social media influencers somevaikuttajat sosiaalinen media vaikuttajamarkkinointi z-sukupolvi
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/86822 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202305092905
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