Original Research

The effect of Instagram conspicuous consumptive behaviour on the intention to purchase luxury goods: A developing country’s perspective

Ntsundeni Madzunya, Kim Viljoen, Liezel Cilliers
South African Journal of Information Management | Vol 23, No 1 | a1267 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v23i1.1267 | © 2021 Ntsundeni Madzunya, Kim Viljoen, Liezel Cilliers | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 03 June 2020 | Published: 06 August 2021

About the author(s)

Ntsundeni Madzunya, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
Kim Viljoen, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
Liezel Cilliers, Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Social media has grown to such a large extent that it has become a primary source of information amongst consumers online. Consequently, South Africa has seen an exponential growth in the use of Instagram.

Objective: The study investigates the effect of Instagram conspicuous consumptive behaviour on the intention to purchase luxury goods.

Methodology: Data collected from 364 South African respondents through a quantitative survey demonstrated the extent to which Instagram affected conspicuous consumptive buying behaviours. The survey was distributed via social media and the results were analysed using structured equation modelling.

Results: The study revealed that although Instagram usage intensity effects conspicuous consumptive behaviour, electronic-word-of-mouth (eWOM) credibility does not. This is because respondents considered Instagram as a platform where users deliberately display the positive aspects of their lives as opposed to its objective state. Furthermore, the study revealed users on Instagram display high levels of conspicuous behaviour that they intend to transform into luxury purchases.

Conclusion: Results from the study contribute to luxury marketers and other stakeholders in creating social media strategies and policies whilst providing valuable insight in understanding online conspicuous behaviours.


Keywords

electronic-word-of-mouth (eWOM); purchase intention; Instagram; social media usage intensity; conspicuous consumption

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