Research Article

A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty

Volume: 7 Number: 1 January 28, 2026
EN TR

A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty

Abstract

Omnichannel retailing has transformed consumer journeys by enabling seamless transitions across multiple touchpoints, making integration quality a critical determinant of relationship outcomes. Grounded in the Stimulus–Organism–Response framework and Commitment–Trust Theory, this study investigates the effect of perceived omnichannel integration quality on brand trust and, through trust, on brand loyalty. In this model, integration quality functions as an external stimulus, brand trust as an organismic psychological response, and brand loyalty as the resulting behavioral outcome. Data were collected from 318 consumers in Yalova, Türkiye, with experience with omnichannel technology retailers, via an online survey administered between April and May 2025. The hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM (SmartPLS 4). The results show that content consistency, process consistency, and assurance quality have significant positive effects on brand trust, while channel-service configuration does not. Additionally, brand trust significantly and positively affects brand loyalty. Moreover, channel-service configuration does not exert any significant indirect effect on loyalty through trust. The findings suggest that merely increasing the number of channels is insufficient for fostering consumer trust and loyalty. Instead, information consistency, seamless process synchronization, and robust privacy and security safeguards emerge as key drivers of sustainable customer relationships in omnichannel environments. This study contributes to the literature by empirically demonstrating the psychological mechanism linking integration quality to loyalty. It highlights the strategic need for retailers to prioritize robust integration and assurance mechanisms rather than channel proliferation.

Keywords

omnichannel retailing, omnichannel integration quality, brand trust, brand loyalty

References

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APA
Güney, A. E., & Uslu, A. (2026). A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review, 7(1), 60-90. https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1808797
AMA
1.Güney AE, Uslu A. A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty. SMAR. 2026;7(1):60-90. doi:10.54733/smar.1808797
Chicago
Güney, Alp Eren, and Aypar Uslu. 2026. “A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty”. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review 7 (1): 60-90. https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1808797.
EndNote
Güney AE, Uslu A (January 1, 2026) A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review 7 1 60–90.
IEEE
[1]A. E. Güney and A. Uslu, “A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty”, SMAR, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 60–90, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.54733/smar.1808797.
ISNAD
Güney, Alp Eren - Uslu, Aypar. “A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty”. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review 7/1 (January 1, 2026): 60-90. https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1808797.
JAMA
1.Güney AE, Uslu A. A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty. SMAR. 2026;7:60–90.
MLA
Güney, Alp Eren, and Aypar Uslu. “A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty”. Sosyal Mucit Academic Review, vol. 7, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 60-90, doi:10.54733/smar.1808797.
Vancouver
1.Alp Eren Güney, Aypar Uslu. A Study on the Mediating Role of Brand Trust in the Impact of Omnichannel Integration Quality on Brand Loyalty. SMAR. 2026 Jan. 1;7(1):60-9. doi:10.54733/smar.1808797