Harmoni Economics: International Journal of Economics and Accounting
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Harmoni Economics: International Journal of Economics and Accounting

Social Media Marketing, e-WOM, and Purchase Decisions: The Mediating Role of Brand Trust

Tifani Rahma Aulia (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)
Anik Lestari Andjarwati (Universitas Negeri Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Feb 2026

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technology and e-commerce has transformed consumer behavior, particularly in the skincare industry. This study investigates the influence of Social Media Marketing (SMM) and electronic Word-of-Mouth (e-WOM) on online purchase decisions, with Brand Trust as a mediating variable. Data were collected from 205 Shopee consumers of the skincare brand Skin1004 using an online questionnaire. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed using SmartPLS 4 to assess the measurement model, structural model, and mediation effects. The results reveal that both SMM and e-WOM significantly enhance Brand Trust and Purchase Decisions. Additionally, Brand Trust partially mediates the relationships between SMM and Purchase Decisions and between e-WOM and Purchase Decisions. These findings underscore the pivotal role of Brand Trust in optimizing social media marketing and e-WOM strategies to influence consumer purchasing behavior in e-commerce settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

HarmoniEconomics

Publisher

Subject

Description

(Harmoni Economics: International Journal of Economics and Accounting) [e-ISSN : 3063-8712, p-ISSN : 3063-6205] is an open access Journal published by the IFREL (International Forum of Researchers and Lecturers). Harmoni Economics accepts manuscripts based on empirical research results, new ...