Word-of-Mouth Processes within a Services Purchase Decision Context
Abstract
This article investigates the processes of word of mouth (WOM) within a services purchase decision context. The authors argue that to understand these processes, researchers must examine the role of interpersonal influences in the traditional WOM models based within the noninterpersonal paradigm. As a result of the current investigation, three distinct relations emerge: first, the effect of the noninterpersonal forces (receiver’s expertise, receiver’s perceived risk, and sender’s expertise) on the influence of WOM on service purchase decisions; second, the effect of the interpersonal forces (ties strength and how actively WOM is sought) on the influence of WOM on service purchase decisions; and third, the effects of noninterpersonal forces on interpersonal forces. Managerial implications and avenues for future research are addressed.
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- Authors
- Bansal, H. S., & Voyer, P. A.
- Affiliations
- Wilfrid Laurier University (CA)
- University of New Brunswick (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Bansal, Harvir S.
- Venue
- Journal of Service Research
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2000-11
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 166-177
- ISSN
- 1094-6705 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-7379
- OpenAlex
- W2139783857
- Cited by
- 1,334
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 27 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 52 · 2023: 73 · 2022: 84 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 84 · 2019: 68 · 2018: 89 · 2017: 70 · 2016: 77 · 2015: 84 · 2014: 79 · 2013: 100 · 2012: 72
- FWCI
- 22.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Service Research (publishedVersion)
- Library and Archives Canada (Government of Canada) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Marketing and Social Media
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Customer Service Quality and Loyalty
- Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Consumer Behavior and Marketing Influence
- Keywords
- word of mouth, interpersonal influence, risk perception, tie strength
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