• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.30-44
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• 2017

The purposes of this study were to (a) identify dimensions of relational benefits in the social commerce market, (b) predict the effects of relational benefits on satisfaction, repurchase intention, and word of mouth (WOM) intention, (c) examine the mediating effects of satisfaction, and (d) compare the differences in the effects of relational benefits on satisfaction, repurchase intention, and WOM intention between the two groups of market mavenism. For collecting data, a self-administered questionnaire was undertaken by an online research agency. A total of 490 usable responses were obtained from consumers who have used social commerce sites. The sample included a slightly higher number of females (50.8%) than males and age was ranged from 20 years to 40 years. An exploratory factor analysis generated four factors of relational benefits such as confidence, convenience, special treatment, and information. Multiple regression models showed that confidence, convenience, and special treatment benefits were significant predictors of satisfaction and repurchase intention; the confidence and convenience benefits were significant for WOM intention. Satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between relational benefits and repurchase intention, and the relationship between relational benefits and WOM intention. The group with high level of market mavenism more highly perceived the relational benefits than the other groups. Confidence benefit had a significant effect on repurchase intention regardless of the level of market mavenism, while convenience benefit had a significant effect on repurchase intention in the non-market maven group. This study discussed the managerial implications for customer relationship management in the social commerce marketplace.