Jurnal Ekonomi Perusahaan
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2025): March - August 2025

The role of micro-influencers in social media marketing: A quantitative study on purchase intent using source credibility theory

Dema, Yosef (Unknown)
Mutiarawati, Elisabeth Vita (Unknown)
Billy, Yohanes Langgar (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
21 Aug 2025

Abstract

In the ever-evolving realm of digital marketing, this study delves into how micro-influencer credibility—conceptualized through the dimensions of expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness—shapes consumer purchase intent on social media platforms. Grounded in Source Credibility Theory, the research employs a quantitative design, gathering responses from 270 social media users via a structured online survey. Employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS), the analysis uncovers that while trustworthiness and attractiveness significantly sway consumer behavior, expertise surprisingly falls short of exerting measurable impact. This departure from prior emphasis on knowledge-based persuasion suggests a shifting consumer landscape—where authenticity and visual appeal resonate more than authority. Even more striking is the discovery that variations in age, gender, and social media habits do not meaningfully moderate these relationships. This uniformity underscores a broad psychological consistency in how consumers evaluate influencers. Marketers and practitioners, therefore, are encouraged to recalibrate their strategies, prioritizing emotional resonance and personal branding over technical qualifications.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

JEP

Publisher

Subject

Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Economics, Econometrics & Finance Social Sciences

Description

The JEP (Jurnal Ekonomi Perusahaan) is part of the Kwik Kian Gie School of Business and Information Technology scientific publications. Published by the Business and Entrepreneurship department, this journal aims to disseminate high-quality and respected academic articles concerning business and ...