How online reviews are read

Date
2015
Authors
Lockie, Maree
Supervisor
Waiguny, Martin
Item type
Thesis
Degree name
Master of Business
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Abstract

Online reviews, a form of electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) communication, have fast become a relied on source of information. It is for this reason we need to further understand how it is consumers read this information; what is important to them and what personal or individual characteristics influence how they read. To do this, a mixed method approach was taken using 30 participants. First, an eye-tracking experiment was conducted with participants reading an online review website. Following this, an online questionnaire was conducted to measure the individual characteristics of the reader. Both sets of data were analysed separately, using coding and SPSS frequencies respectively. Both sets of data were then combined and analysed on SPSS using linear stepwise regression and logistic stepwise regression. Results show that specific review factors do work together and gazes and actual liking of online reviews does interplay somewhat. Most significantly, certain personal characteristics and traits do influence the way in which online reviews are read.

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Keywords
Online reviews , Personality , Eye tracking
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