Examining the role of social media influencers in service failure and recovery strategies: an empirical investigation of millennials' views

Ozuem, Wilson ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0337-1419 , Willis, Michelle ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6183-3661 , Ranfagni, Silvia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1546-3070 , Howell, Kerry and Rovai, Serena (2024) Examining the role of social media influencers in service failure and recovery strategies: an empirical investigation of millennials' views. Information Technology & People, 37 (5). pp. 2035-2068.

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Abstract

Purpose: Prior research has advanced several explanations for social media influencers' (SMIs’) success in the burgeoning computer-mediated marketing environments but leaves one key topic unexplored: the moderating role of SMIs in service failure and recovery strategies.

Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on a social constructivist perspective and an inductive approach, 59 in-depth interviews were conducted with millennials from three European countries (Italy, France and the United Kingdom). Building on social influence theory and commitment-trust theory, this study conceptualises four distinct pathways unifying SMIs' efforts in the service failure recovery process.

Findings: The emergent model illustrates how source credibility and message content moderate service failure severity and speed of recovery. The insights gained from this study model contribute to research on the pivotal uniqueness of SMIs in service failure recovery processes and offer practical explanations of variations in the implementation of influencer marketing. This study examines a perspective of SMIs that considers the cycle of their influence on customers through service failure and recovery.

Originality/value: The study suggests that negative reactions towards service failure and recovery are reduced if customers have a relationship with influencers prior to the service failure and recovery compared with the reactions of customers who do not have a relationship with the influencer.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Information Technology & People
Publisher:	Emerald
ISSN:	0959-3845
Departments:	Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership > Business
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	27 Aug 2023 11:38
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2024 11:30
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/7250

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