Economics and Business Journal
Vol. 4 No. 6 (2026): September

The Effect of Gamification and Brand Coolness on Brand Loyalty With Brand Engagement as A Mediating Variable

Sri Ayu Wulandari Setyo Bekti Bekti (Universitas Tanjungpura)
Erna Listiana (Universitas Tanjungpura)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effects of gamification and brand coolness on brand loyalty, with brand engagement serving as a mediating variable among Generation Z consumers of Fore Coffee. This study employed a causal quantitative approach using a survey method, with an online questionnaire administered to 200 respondents selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The results indicate that brand coolness has a positive and significant effect on brand engagement, while brand engagement has a positive and significant effect on brand loyalty. In contrast, gamification does not have a significant effect on either brand engagement or brand loyalty, whether directly or through mediation. Brand coolness also does not have a significant direct effect on brand loyalty; however, it has a significant indirect effect through brand engagement. Thus, brand engagement acts as a full mediator, representing indirect-only mediation, in this relationship. These findings indicate that brand engagement is a central mechanism in shaping brand loyalty among Generation Z consumers, whereas the implementation of gamification in the Fore Coffee application has not yet been effective in building brand engagement or brand loyalty. This study provides practical implications for Fore Coffee to strengthen its consumer engagement strategies in order to build sustainable brand loyalty.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

go

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

Economics and Business Journal (ECBIS) | ISSN (e): 2963-7589 is an international peer-reviewed, open access scientific journal dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of research results that support high-level research in the fields of Economics, Management and Business, this journal ...