Word of mouth communication in political marketing: Understanding and managing referrals. Issue 3 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chowdhury, Tamgid Ahmed; Naheed, Shahneela
• Is Part Of: Journal of marketing communications. Volume 26:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 290
• Page End: 313
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Word of mouth communication -- political marketing -- multidimensional model -- developing countries -- Bangladesh; Communication in marketing -- Periodicals; 658.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13527266.2018.1523217
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-7266

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There is a lack of research relevant to word of mouth (WOM) communication in political marketing. Also, existing studies on WOM communication identified behavioral determinants of the concept and neglected associated marketing stimuli. This study offers a 10-dimensional 62-item statistically significant WOM model for political marketing to address the stated lacuna. The study utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze 2357 pieces of primary data collected as samples from voters in Bangladesh. To prepare the questionnaire, authors created a pool of relevant items (through recent studies found in Google scholars) and tested the content validity through literature review, expert opinion of five academics, comments of three political scientists, and pilot study. Results of the study revealed that all political marketing dimensions of the model influence WOM sharing and WOM recommendation. The study also found a significant influence of external variables (media, internet, and technology) on WOM communication. Item-specific results found that in regards to political mix components, the ones that had the most influence on WOM communication were psychological cost if the candidate wins, image of the candidate as leader, using celebrities and icons in the campaigns, building election gates, and candidate's modesty.