Reference group influence on user connections with social networking sites: a study of Facebook

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of social networking sites (SNS) and their interactive capability have been the subject to sustained interests for researchers and marketers alike. Yet, few insights exist regarding whether online consumer engagement is prone to social influences from other users. Drawing from literature on reference group influence (e.g., Bearden and Etzel, 1982) and social identity (Tajfel and Turner, 1986), this research investigates self-SNS connection – customers' overall experience with the SNS and provides insights into a user's susceptibility to reference group influence. Specifically, the focus is on three motivational influences: informational, value expressive and utilitarian. Employing data collected through a survey, authors find that informational influence and value expressive influence are positively associated with self-SNS connection, but contrary to conventional wisdom, utilitarian influence is not. Furthermore, males are more susceptible to value expressive influences than females, indicating that reference group influences exhibit some gender effect. The results offer insights into designing more effective dissemination of marketing communications through tapping into consumers' informal communication network.