. Conclusion
This study proposed a research model called Information
Acceptance Model (IACM) in order to examine the influence of
eWOM in social media on consumers' purchase intentions. The
IACM claims that the influence of eWOM information on social
media not only depends on the characteristics of eWOM information,
such as quality and credibility of information, but it also depends
on the consumers’ behaviour towards eWOM information.
The model was validated through a survey of 384 university students
who use social media websites.
The results revealed several theoretical and managerial implications.
However, the major contribution of this study is to develop
a comprehensive conceptual model which examines the determinants
of eWOM information on social media influencing
consumers’ purchase intentions. The model was developed based
on the integration of IAM and related components of TRA. The IAM
explains the characteristics of the eWOM information (Sussman &
Siegal, 2003), while the related components of TRA expresses the
behaviour of consumers towards eWOM information (Fishbein &
Ajzen, 1975). However, the offered model in this study, named Information
Acceptance Model (IACM), offers a more comprehensive
approach through considering the behaviour of consumers
together with the characteristics of information within the same
model. The IACM, thus;
Brings a new approach to information adoption by extending
IAM and provides new insights to researchers who study Information
Systems (IS).
Contributes to the future research by empirically testing an
argument of recent eWOM studies (Knoll, 2015), which suggests
the joint evaluation of characteristics of eWOM information and
consumers' behaviour towards eWOM information.
Provides a greater understanding of eWOM within social media
by highlighting the determinants of eWOM information on social
media influencing consumers' purchase intentions.
From a managerial perspective, this study provides marketers
with a frame of reference to understand the influence of eWOM in
T