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CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS

Cilt: 19 Sayı: 2 20 Mayıs 2026
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CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS

Öz

Virtual influencers, as emerging actors in digital marketing, increasingly shape brand communication. Grounded in the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT), this study investigates consumer acceptance of virtual influencers and explores the mediating role of perceived humanness in this process. Data were collected from 572 participants residing in Istanbul. The analysis employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM) through SmartPLS 4, while mediation effects were tested using Hayes’s (2013) bootstrap approach. According to research findings, consumers perceive virtual influencers they find sincere as more human-like, and this human-like perception turns into positive attitudes and, consequently, purchase intention. The study contributes to digital marketing literature by highlighting the importance of human-like, adaptable features in the design of virtual influencers. Theoretical insights emphasize that anthropomorphic and relatable attributes enhance consumer engagement. Practical implications suggest that marketers should integrate sincerity, adaptability, and human resemblance into virtual influencer strategies to strengthen consumer attitudes and foster purchase intentions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

  1. Aaker, J. L. (1997). Dimensions of brand personality. Journal of Marketing Research, 34(3), 347–356.
  2. Acar, C., & Ekizler, H. (2023). Sanal etkileyicilerin tüketici satın alma niyetine etkisi. Ege Stratejik Araştırmalar Dergisi, 14(1), 1–22.
  3. Agarwal, R., & Prasad, J. (1997). The role of innovation characteristics and perceived voluntariness in the acceptance of information technologies. Decision Sciences, 28(3), 557–582.
  4. Airenti, G. (2018). The development of anthropomorphism in interaction: Intersubjectivity, imagination, and theory of mind. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 2136.
  5. Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
  6. Al-Ajam, A. S., & Nor, K. M. (2013). Internet banking adoption: Integrating technology acceptance model and trust. European Journal of Business and Management, 5(3), 207–215.
  7. Alalwan, A. A. (2018). Investigating the impact of social media advertising features on customer purchase intention. International Journal of Information Management, 42, 65–77.
  8. Allal-Chérif, O., Puertas, R., & Carracedo, P. (2024). Intelligent influencer marketing: How AI-powered virtual influencers outperform human influencers. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 200, 123113.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Dijital Pazarlama, Pazarlama Teknolojisi, Pazarlama Teorisi, Tüketici Davranışı

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

20 Mayıs 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

9 Eylül 2025

Kabul Tarihi

3 Nisan 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 19 Sayı: 2

Kaynak Göster

APA
Maral, B., & Ceyhan Günay, A. (2026). CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS. Pazarlama ve Pazarlama Araştırmaları Dergisi, 19(2), 311-346. https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX
AMA
1.Maral B, Ceyhan Günay A. CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS. PPAD. 2026;19(2):311-346. https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX
Chicago
Maral, Begüm, ve Ayben Ceyhan Günay. 2026. “CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS”. Pazarlama ve Pazarlama Araştırmaları Dergisi 19 (2): 311-46. https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX.
EndNote
Maral B, Ceyhan Günay A (01 Mayıs 2026) CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS. Pazarlama ve Pazarlama Araştırmaları Dergisi 19 2 311–346.
IEEE
[1]B. Maral ve A. Ceyhan Günay, “CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS”, PPAD, c. 19, sy 2, ss. 311–346, May. 2026, [çevrimiçi]. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX
ISNAD
Maral, Begüm - Ceyhan Günay, Ayben. “CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS”. Pazarlama ve Pazarlama Araştırmaları Dergisi 19/2 (01 Mayıs 2026): 311-346. https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX.
JAMA
1.Maral B, Ceyhan Günay A. CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS. PPAD. 2026;19:311–346.
MLA
Maral, Begüm, ve Ayben Ceyhan Günay. “CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS”. Pazarlama ve Pazarlama Araştırmaları Dergisi, c. 19, sy 2, Mayıs 2026, ss. 311-46, https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX.
Vancouver
1.Begüm Maral, Ayben Ceyhan Günay. CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE OF VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF PERCEIVED HUMANNESS. PPAD [Internet]. 01 Mayıs 2026;19(2):311-46. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA37UD53JX