9th Student Research Conference in Marketing (SRCM) - 2025
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Item The Impact of Electronic Word of Mouth on Consumer Repurchase Intention for Whitening Skin Care Products Among Gen Z Facebook Users: The Moderating Role of Brand Trust(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) De Silva, R. M. K. A.; Karunanayake, R. K. T. D.This study examines the impact of electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) on the repurchase intention of skin-whitening products among Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka, with a particular focus on the moderating role of brand trust in this relationship. While prior research establishes that brand trust influences purchasing decisions, conflicting studies suggest that negative e-WOM consistently reduces repurchase intentions. This study contributes to this debate by exploring whether brand trust mitigates the adverse effects of negative e-WOM, thereby sustaining repurchase behavior. The research also underscores the importance of brand trust in the Sri Lankan cosmetics industry, particularly given the perceived risks associated with skin-whitening products. Grounded in the Information Adoption Model (IAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study adopts a quantitative research design. Data were collected from 407 Generation Z consumers with experience in skin-whitening products. Convenience sampling was employed, targeting respondents through social media platforms, particularly Facebook groups frequented by the target demographic. An online structured questionnaire was distributed, and responses were analyzed using IBM SPSS, incorporating descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression to test the proposed hypotheses. Reliability and validity checks were conducted to ensure the robustness of findings. Results indicate that brand trust plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between e-WOM and repurchase intention. Consumers with higher brand trust exhibited stronger repurchase intentions, even when exposed to negative e-WOM regarding potential health risks of skin-whitening products. These findings align with studies emphasizing brand trust as a key driver of consumer decision-making, but diverge from research asserting that negative e-WOM invariably leads to lower repurchase rates. Despite its contributions, this study has several limitations. The use of convenience sampling limits the generalizability of findings, as the sample consisted exclusively of Generation Z Facebook users who have experience with skin-whitening products. Additionally, the cross-sectional research design restricts the ability to establish causal relationships between e-WOM, brand trust, and repurchase intention. The study’s narrow industry focus also limits its applicability to other sectors within the cosmetics market. Moreover, self-reported data may introduce response biases, such as social desirability and recall bias, which could influence the validity of the conclusions. From a practical perspective, the study provides valuable insights for marketers in Sri Lanka’s cosmetics industry. It highlights the critical role of brand trust in shaping consumer responses to e-WOM, emphasizing that strengthening brand credibility can mitigate negative feedback effects. Marketers are encouraged to build consumer trust through transparency, ethical product formulations, and consistent customer engagement. Furthermore, businesses should focus on leveraging positive e-WOM strategies and establishing long-term brand credibility to maintain customer loyalty and repurchase behavior. Future research should explore broader consumer demographics and additional moderating factors, such as brand loyalty, influencer credibility, and regulatory perceptions, to develop a comprehensive understanding of e-WOM dynamics in the beauty and cosmetics industry.Item The Impact of Agile Marketing on Brand Attachment: Examining the Mediating Role of Brand Trust with Special Reference to Skincare Products among Gen Z Consumers in the Western Province, Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Siyambalapitiya, H. J. C.; Gunawardane, W. A. D. N. R.This study explores the influence of agile marketing techniques on brand attachment among Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka's Western Province, with a particular emphasis on skincare products. It investigates the mediating role of brand trust in influencing the relationship between agile marketing practices and brand attachment. This research, therefore, seeks to add to the literature on marketing agility and brand dynamics by looking at how trust-based agile marketing strategies impact consumer-brand relationships, with particular attention to the Gen Z consumer, who has been at the center of changing consumer behavior and preferences for brands. The results of this study are intended to offer practical insights into how brands can utilize agile marketing strategies to establish trust and nurture stronger emotional bonds with their consumers.This study is a quantitative research effort that adopts a positivist philosophy, emphasizing objective analysis to measure the relationships among agile marketing, brand trust, and brand attachment among Generation Z consumers in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Theoretically, it contributes to the assertion that agile marketing is a decisive factor in evoking brand trust and attachment, mainly in Generation Z consumers. Most importantly, it was able to fill the gap in knowledge as regards how agile marketing is related to brand attachment by identification of brand trust as a pivotal mediator. The findings also contribute toward the principles of relationship marketing by depicting that adaptive marketing strategies may work like dynamic tools to increase the emotional attachment of consumers.Item Investigating the Impact of Influencer Marketing on Brand Evangelism of Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) Industry: The Mediating Role of Brand Trust with Special Reference to Generation ‘Z’ in Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Sachintha, H. P. K.; Dissanayake, D. M. R.This study critically investigates the impact of influencer marketing (IM) on brand evangelism (BEV) within Sri Lanka’s Beauty and Personal Care (BPC) industry, with a focus on Generation Z consumers. The research is motivated by the pressing need to address a critical challenge: the inability of IM campaigns to consistently convert high digital engagement into actionable consumer trust and advocacy. This issue is particularly significant in the BPC sector, where Generation Z, a digitally native demographic, prioritizes authenticity, transparency, and relatability in their interactions with brands. The study emphasizes the mediating role of brand trust (BT) as a pivotal factor that bridges IM dimensions—source credibility, source attractiveness, source familiarity, and attitude toward influencers—with BEV outcomes, such as purchase intentions, positive referrals, and oppositional referrals. Positioned within the evolving discourse on digital marketing and consumer behavior, this research contributes by constructing a localized, context-specific framework to evaluate how IM strategies influence BEV through the mediating effect of BT. By focusing on the unique preferences and behaviors of Generation Z in Sri Lanka, the study bridges a critical gap in the literature, which has insufficiently addressed the mechanisms driving advocacy in this market. The findings underscore the strategic importance of trust in leveraging IM as a tool for fostering long-term consumer loyalty and advocacy. Moreover, the study provides actionable insights for marketers and businesses to design effective, trust-centric IM campaigns tailored to the competitive and rapidly evolving BPC industry in Sri Lanka. The research employs a robust quantitative methodology anchored in the positivist paradigm, ensuring methodological rigor and replicability. Data were collected from 385 Generation Z respondents across Sri Lanka using a structured online survey. These respondents were selected based on their active engagement with BPC industry influencers on social media. The survey employed validated scales to operationalize IM sub-variables, BT, and BEV. Statistical analyses, including multiple regression, mediation testing, and correlational analysis, were conducted using SPSS 23 to test the hypothesized relationships within the conceptual framework. This methodological approach ensured the reliability and validity of findings while offering nuanced insights into the influence of IM on BEV through the mediating role of BT. The findings provide empirical evidence that IM significantly influences BEV, with BT serving as a critical mediator. Regression analyses reveal that IM explains over 79% of the variance in BEV behaviors, underscoring its strategic importance in fostering consumer advocacy. Among IM sub-variables, source credibility and source attractiveness are the most impactful in building BT, while source familiarity and positive attitudes toward influencers enhance BEV behaviors. Mediation testing confirms that BT partially mediates the relationship between IM and BEV, reinforcing the pivotal role of trust in converting digital engagements into actionable advocacy. These results align with global IM literature while emphasizing unique dynamics in Sri Lanka, such as the heightened importance of authenticity and relatability in influencing Generation Z consumers. Despite its contributions, the study is subject to several limitations. First, its focus on Generation Z within the BPC industry in Sri Lanka may limit the generalizability of findings to other demographic groups or industries. Second, reliance on cross-sectional data constrains the ability to capture temporal shifts in consumer behavior and the evolving dynamics of IM practices. Third, the use of self-reported data introduces potential biases, such as social desirability bias, that may affect the accuracy of responses. Future research should address these limitations by employing longitudinal designs, expanding the demographic and industrial scope, and integrating advanced qualitative methods to provide deeper insights into consumer perceptions and behaviors. Theoretically, this study advances the field by integrating IM, BT, and BEV into a cohesive framework tailored to an emerging market. It bridges significant gaps in the literature by offering localized insights into how IM strategies foster trust and advocacy in a socioculturally distinct context. The findings extend the application of key theories, such as the Source Credibility Theory, by demonstrating their relevance in shaping consumer behavior in Sri Lanka’s BPC sector. Practically, the study offers actionable recommendations for marketers and policymakers. Marketers are advised to prioritize influencer authenticity, demographic alignment, and culturally resonant messaging to build trust and drive advocacy. BT should be positioned as a strategic priority in IM campaigns, as trust fosters long-term consumer loyalty and advocacy beyond transactional engagements. Policymakers, in turn, are encouraged to develop guidelines that promote ethical practices and transparency in influencer collaborations, ensuring consumer protection and equitable market dynamics. The research also has implications for academia, providing a foundation for future studies exploring IM’s impact in other emerging markets. It highlights the importance of incorporating cultural and generational nuances into theoretical and practical applications, paving the way for comparative studies across diverse contexts. By addressing the interplay of IM, BT, and BEV in Sri Lanka’s BPC industry, the study contributes to the global discourse on digital consumer engagement and advocacy.Item Influence of Social Media Content Marketing on Brand Evangelism Towards Fashion Brands: Mediating Role of Brand Love Among Gen Z(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Senarath, S. R. R. T.; Dissanayake, D. M. R.This study examined the influence of social media content marketing on brand evangelism in the Sri Lankan fashion industry, focusing on the mediating role of brand love among Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers. With their digital-native background, Gen Z represents a key demographic that interacts deeply with brands on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. These platforms provide opportunities for brands to connect with their audience through interactive and visually appealing content. A quantitative research approach was employed, using structured online questionnaires to collect data from 305 Gen Z respondents in Sri Lanka. Statistical techniques such as regression, mediation, and correlation analyses were used to examine the relationships between social media marketing strategies, brand love, and brand evangelism. The findings demonstrate that social media content marketing significantly impacts both brand love and brand evangelism. Key drivers of these relationships include authentic storytelling, influencer collaborations, visually appealing content, and user-generated contributions. Brand love emerged as a critical mediator, amplifying consumer advocacy behaviors. The study underscores the importance of creating emotionally engaging and value-driven social media content that resonates with Gen Z consumers. Furthermore, it highlights how platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be strategically used to foster emotional connections, enhance brand loyalty, and drive advocacy behaviors such as word-of-mouth promotion. The research emphasizes that brands should adopt strategies that align with Gen Z's values, such as transparency, sustainability, and inclusivity. These elements are crucial for fostering trust and emotional attachment, which are necessary precursors to brand evangelism. By creating content that reflects shared values and engaging directly with consumers through interactive formats, fashion brands can build meaningful relationships with Gen Z. However, the study also identifies limitations. The research is geographically confined to Sri Lanka's fashion industry and focuses exclusively on Gen Z consumers. The reliance on self-reported data and the cross-sectional nature of the study limits its generalizability and ability to infer causality. Future research could explore additional mediators, cross-cultural comparisons, and longitudinal designs to provide a more comprehensive understanding. Conclusively, this study contributes knowledge for applications for fashion brands linked with the marketing applications of social media marketing, brand love, and consumer advocacy. It emphasizes the necessity for Sri Lankan brands to harness social media's full potential, bridging emotional connections with Gen Z to achieve long-term brand loyalty, advocacy, and sustained market relevance.Item Impact of In-App Advertisements on Gen Z's Purchase Intention with the Mediating Effect of Consumer Attitudes: with Special Reference in Sri Lankan Mobile Industry(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Vidushana, W. G.; Subasinghe, S. M. A. N. M.This study intends to investigate the influence of in-app advertising on the purchase intentions of Generation Z, focusing on the Western Province of Sri Lanka while emphasizing the mediating role of consumer attitudes. The goal of this research is to close the knowledge gap regarding how Gen Z consumers respond to customized digital advertising tactics in an emerging market setting. Utilizing theories like the Media Richness Theory and the Elaboration Likelihood Model the study looks into things like social influence user experience personalization and ad content and design. A structured questionnaire was used in this quantitative study and 385 members of Generation Z answered it. SPSS software was used to analyze the data using regression correlation and descriptive statistics. According to the results, purchase intentions are strongly influenced by user experience, personalization, and social influence. Because consumer attitudes mediate these relationships it is crucial to create ads that appeal to the target audience’s emotions and social sensibilities. These findings highlight how important it is to create engaging and culturally relevant in-app ads to successfully grab Gen Z’s attention. The study does have certain drawbacks though such as its concentration on a particular demographic and geographic group its use of self-reported data and its quantitative methodology that ignores qualitative viewpoints. To comprehend the changing impact of in-app advertising these limitations point to possible directions for future research such as using mixed-method approaches and examining longitudinal trends. From a practical standpoint, this study provides policymakers app developers, and marketers with useful suggestions. Advertising that seamlessly integrates with the user experience uses dynamic personalization and makes use of social proof should be given priority by marketers. Contributions to theory include advancing our understanding of consumer behavior and the function of digital media in developing economies which lays the groundwork for future research on the dynamics of advertising in comparable cultural contexts. According to the study's findings, in-app advertising can be made more effective and substantially contribute to the conversation around digital marketing in emerging economies by strategically emphasizing personalization, emotional engagement, and awareness of sociocultural quirks.Item Impact of Hedonic Shopping Motivation on Impulse Buying Behavior of Personal and Beauty Care Industry in Sri Lanka: With the Mediating Effect of Consumer Trust(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Pradeep, K. M. T. D.; Weerasiri, R. A. S.This study examines the interplay between hedonic shopping motivations and impulse buying behavior in Sri Lanka's personal and beauty care industry, emphasizing the mediating role of consumer trust. Hedonic motivations, which include adventure, gratification, idea, role, social, and value shopping, serve as psychological drivers that influence unplanned purchase decisions. Consumer trust mitigates perceived risks, enhancing the likelihood of impulsive purchases. By targeting Gen Z consumers, a demographic characterized by significant In-Store shopping and preference for online shopping, this research provides a localized understanding of impulse buying behaviour. The study adopts a quantitative approach, employing a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 385 Gen Z respondents who actively shop for personal and beauty care products both online and in-store. Hypothesis testing was conducted through descriptive, correlation and regression analyses. The findings confirm that hedonic shopping motivations strongly predict impulse buying, with consumer trust acting as a significant mediator. Notably, adventure shopping and gratification shopping were identified as the most influential dimensions of hedonic motivation. The results contribute to the theoretical understanding of consumer behavior by validating the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model within the Sri Lankan context. The practical implications of this study are substantial for marketers, particularly in designing promotional strategies that align with the pleasure-seeking tendencies of Gen Z consumers. For instance, creating visually appealing advertisements, offering limited-time discounts, and utilizing social media influencers can effectively trigger impulse buying. Additionally, fostering consumer trust through transparent communication, reliable product quality, and secure online shopping platforms is critical for converting impulsive intentions into actual purchases. This research addresses an empirical gap in the literature by focusing on the underexplored Sri Lankan personal and beauty care market. While global studies have extensively analyzed Gen Z's shopping behaviors, few have contextualized these findings within the unique cultural, economic, and technological landscape of Sri Lanka. The insights gained underscore the importance of understanding localized consumer dynamics to develop tailored marketing strategies. Despite its contributions, the study is limited in scope. It focuses exclusively on Gen Z consumers and the personal and beauty care sector, restricting the generalizability of the findings to other demographics and industries. Additionally, the reliance on self-reported data introduces the potential for response biases. Future research should explore other consumer segments, expand the scope to include diverse industries, and adopt longitudinal designs to track changes in impulse buying behaviour over time. The study provides actionable insights for businesses aiming to capitalize on the rising trend of impulse buying in Sri Lanka. By leveraging the emotional and experiential aspects of shopping, marketers can drive consumer engagement and loyalty. Furthermore, understanding the role of trust in shaping buying behaviours offers a strategic advantage in building long-term customer relationships.Item Impact of Green Communication Strategies on Green Purchasing Behavior in the Personal Care Industry, with Special Reference to Gen Z in Sri Lanka: Moderating Effect of Digital Media Channels(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Fernando, H. C. T.; Patabendige, S. S. J.; Dharmawardhane, M. N. S. H.This study examines how green communication strategies impact green purchasing behavior in Sri Lanka's personal care industry, with a focus on Generation Z consumers. The study fills in the knowledge gap regarding how individual green communication strategies, such as advertising, corporate public relations, visual identifications, green labels and packaging, sustainable reporting, affect green purchasing behavior. It further explores the moderating effect of digital media channels, with a focus on how they strengthen the relationship between green communication strategies and green purchasing behavior. A previous study looked at the relationship between green purchasing behavior and green communication strategies. The three primary strategies of green communication green advertising, labeling, and packaging were the subject of the majority of these studies. They discovered that these strategies had a big impact on consumer preferences and purchases. Furthermore, a number of studies have looked at sustainability reporting as a green communication strategy intended to increase transparency and consumer confidence. The results indicate that companies can communicate their green marketing efforts through a range of strategies, including advertising, corporate public relations, visual identification, green labeling and packaging, and sustainability reports. By combining advertising, corporate public relations, visual identification, green labeling and packaging, and sustainability reports, this effort will expand on this foundation. This will allow for a thorough examination of the ways in which each of these distinct green communication strategies affects consumers' decisions to make eco-friendly purchases. Furthermore, it is typically still unclear how green communication techniques should be implement, even when experts have researched their development, implications, and design in detail. Therefore, this study examines the relationship between green communication strategies and green purchasing behavior using digital media channels as an implementation tool. The personal care industry is a perfect environment for researching green communication strategies because of its strong connections to human wellbeing and environmental responsibility. As a result, it is extremely relevant to sustainability projects. Focusing on Generation Z makes strategic sense because they are growing in size and awareness of eco-friendly practices, offering an opportunity to expand on previous research and influence sustainable consumer behavior. In order to collect primary data for a quantitative study, 387 Gen Z respondents in Sri Lanka were chosen by convenience sampling and provided with a structured questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and includes sample descriptions, validity and reliability evaluations, normality checks, mean value estimations, assumption testing, correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, and moderation analysis. The findings demonstrate that customers' decisions to make greener purchases can be significantly influenced by green communication strategies such as advertising, corporate public relations, visual identifications, green labels and packaging and sustainable reporting. Additionally, digital media channels act as a powerful moderator, enhancing the relationship between green communication strategies and green purchasing behavior. The study has several issues, even if the research findings are presented in a comprehensive way. The small sample size of 387 respondents who were selected using convenience sampling due to time constraints reduces the possibility of generalization of the results. Additionally, it was not feasible to gather data from every district in Sri Lanka due to time constraints and limited access, which may have led to a lack of representation of regional variances. Instead than focusing on how digital media platforms affect individual green communication strategies, the study looks at how they affect green communication strategies in general. Additionally, data is collected at a certain point in time due to the cross-sectional nature of the study. To understand how digital media channels influence the effectiveness of green communication strategies on Gen Z's green purchasing behavior in Sri Lanka's personal care industry. It introduces a framework examining the impact of individual green communication strategies advertising, corporate public relations, visual identifications, green labels and packaging, and sustainability reporting. Additionally, it highlights how digital media channels enhance the effectiveness of green communication strategies. The findings highlight how important it is to align these strategies with digital media channels to maximize engagement and encourage green purchasing behavior. Marketers are being encouraged to integrate digital media channels with green communication strategies in order to appeal to Gen Z's green purchasing behavior. Using these strategies on digital media channels can improve eco-conscious messaging, brand-consumer interactions, and green purchasing patterns. Future research should use a variety of approaches to examine the long-term effects of green communication strategies on green purchasing behavior by using longitudinal studies in order to better comprehend the situation to look at how people's attitudes and actions change over time. And it needed to understand how digital media channels affect the effectiveness of these individual strategies and think about combining quantitative and qualitative research techniques.Item Impact of E-Word of Mouth on Purchase Intentions Among Generation Z: The Mediating Role of Brand Credibility in Sri Lanka's E-Commerce Industry in the Western Province(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Jagoda, N. Y.; Wijenayaka, S. I.In Sri Lanka's rapidly evolving e-commerce industry, E-WOM has emerged as a pivotal factor influencing consumer decision-making, particularly for Generation Z, who rely heavily on co-generated digital content. E-WOM has proven to be an effective tool in shaping purchase intentions among this demographic. However, despite its capacity to capture consumer attention, questions remain about how trust built through E-WOM translates into actual purchasing behavior. Additionally, past research has yet to sufficiently explore the mediating role of brand credibility, leaving gaps in understanding how E-WOM strengthens the trust and credibility between brands and consumers, especially in emerging markets like Sri Lanka. Compounding this issue is the underexplored influence of trust dimensions such as expertise, trustworthiness, and E-WOM valence on customer loyalty and purchasing behavior. While studies conducted in global contexts emphasize the importance of these dimensions, their interaction within Sri Lanka's e-commerce industry, particularly among Generation Z, has not been adequately addressed. This underscores the need for a focused investigation into the factors that maximize the impact of E-WOM on purchasing intention, while simultaneously strengthening consumer trust and loyalty in a dynamic and growing digital marketplace. This study seeks to fill these gaps by analyzing the relationship between E-WOM and purchasing intention, with brand credibility acting as a mediating variable. Operating within a positivist paradigm, the research follows a deductive approach, surveying 406 respondents aged 18-26 from Sri Lanka's Western Province. A structured questionnaire was used to measure key variables, including dimensions of E-WOM (source expertise, trustworthiness, volume, and valence), brand credibility, and their collective influence on purchasing intention. Regression and mediation analyses were conducted using SPSS to test the hypotheses and provide actionable insights. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between E-WOM and purchasing intention, with brand credibility partially mediating this relationship. Among the dimensions of E-WOM, source expertise and trustworthiness were identified as key drivers of consumer trust, while higher message volume and positive valence further amplified purchasing intentions. These findings highlight the importance of brand credibility and consistent digital communication in building trust, ultimately influencing Generation Z’s purchasing behavior within Sri Lanka’s e-commerce sector. However, the study has some limitations. The focus on Sri Lanka's Western Province limits the generalizability of the findings to other regions, including suburban areas. The cross-sectional design also restricts the ability to observe long-term changes in consumer behavior. Furthermore, by exclusively concentrating on E-WOM and brand credibility, the study overlooks other potential factors, such as cultural nuances or digital literacy, which could provide further insights into consumer behavior in emerging markets. Despite these limitations, the study offers significant theoretical and practical contributions. Conceptually, it advances the understanding of E-WOM as a critical driver of purchasing intention, while elucidating the mediating role of brand credibility in this process. From a practical perspective, the findings offer valuable guidance for e-commerce businesses aiming to enhance consumer engagement and loyalty. By prioritizing trust-building through credible and consistent E-WOM strategies, businesses can effectively influence Generation Z’s purchasing behavior. Future research could build on these findings by employing longitudinal designs, exploring additional mediators, and expanding the scope to include diverse geographic and cultural contexts.Item Impact of BNPL services on Consumer’s Impulsive Buying Behavior of Generation Z with Special Reference to the E-Commerce Platforms in Sri Lanka(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Jayarathne, W. K. H.; Mirando, U. J.Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL ) Services have emerged as a transformative payment method in the e-commerce sector, enabling consumers to make instant purchases with differed payments often without interest, Despite global studies highlighting BNPL’s impact on impulsive buying behavior, there is a lack of empirical studies examining how these services influences Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka’s unique socio-economic and cultural Context, creating a significant empirical derivation. Furthermore, while BNPL services consume convenience and e-commerce growth, many platforms fail to address the risks of overconsumption and financial strain among young users, representing a critical performance gap. This study adopts a positive philosophy, emphasizing objective measurement and hypothesis testing to explore the relationship between BNPL services and impulsive buying behavior among Generation Z consumers. The study employs a deductive approach, beginning with established theories and frameworks to develop hypotheses, which are then tested using quantitative data. A cross-sectional research design is utilized, collecting data at a single point in time through a structured online questionnaire targeting individuals aware of or using BNPL services on Sri Lankan e-commerce platforms. The methodology ensures a systematic exploration of the phenomena within the defined timeframe providing insights into the behavioral patterns of the targeted demographics. The target population for this study comprises Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka who are aware of or use BNPL services on e-commerce platforms. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed to gather data from respondents who were easily accessible and willing to participate. Using an online sample size calculator, the required sample size was determined to be 384 respondents. However, 369 responses were collected, and 354 valid responses were analyzed after screening. Data was collected through self-administrated questionnaire designed to measure the influence of BNPL features such as convenient payment systems, flexible repayment options and accessible credit mechanisms on impulsive buying behavior. The questionnaire utilized a 5-point Likert scale to capture respondents’ levels of agreement with various statements and was pre-tested to ensure clarity and reliability. The Collected data was analyzed using SPSS software to perform descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing and reliability checks ensuring robust insights into the relationships among the study variables . The study reveals a significant positive relationship between BNPL service features, convenient payment systems, flexible repayment options, and accessible credit systems and impulsive buying behavior among Generation Z consumers Sri Lanka, Flexible repayment plans emerged as the most influential factor driving impulsive purchases, highlighting the psychological appeal of deferred payments without immediate financial burdens. Convenient payment systems also played a crucial role by simplifying transactions and reducing perceived purchasing barriers. Accessible credit mechanisms. Such as minimal credit checks and interest-free installments. Empirically, the study addresses the gap in localized research by offering insights into the unique behavioral dynamics of Sri Lankan Gen Z consumers. These findings expand the global understanding of BNPL’s impact in emerging markets, highlighting the interplay between socioeconomic conditions and digital consumer behavior. The study’s insights are particularly relevant for policymakers aiming to regulate BNPL services in a way that balances consumer welfare with market growth. The study’s limitations provide avenues for further exploration. The cross-sectional design precludes insights into longitudinal changes in consumer behavior, such as evolving preferences or long-term financial impacts of BNPL usage. Additionally, the use of convenience sampling may limit the generalizability of findings to the broader Sri Lankan Gen Z population. Future studies could employ longitudinal designs and probabilistic sampling methods to capture more representative data. Qualitative approaches, such as interviews or focus groups, could complement the quantitative finding by uncovering deeper psychological motivations behind impulsive buying. Furthermore, the future could explore how other variables, such as social media influence, marketing strategies, and individual financial literacy levels, interact with BNPL services to shape impulsive purchasing behavior. Expanding the geographical scope to include other emerging markets could also provide comparative insights into cultural and economic influences on BNPL adoptionItem Experiential Marketing Strategies on Brand Love: A Study of Franchised Fast-Food Chains(Department of Marketing Management, Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2025) Navodya, E. K. A. P.; Gunawardane, W. A. D. N. R.Franchise fast-food chains in Sri Lanka face a growing challenge, especially in attracting and retaining the Generation Z segment. The study uses the experiential marketing framework to investigate the impact of experiential marketing strategies on Brand Love among Generation Z consumers in franchised fast-food chains in Sri Lanka. A quantitative approach was used, where data was gathered through the online survey responses of 359 responses were analysed. The results indicated a significant association between experiential marketing dimensions and brand love by confirming the theoretical framework. Further business strategies should prioritize emotional and relational connections to attract and retain Generation Z consumers. Sensory and behavioral strategies can complement these efforts, whereas cognitive-focused approaches may be less effective in this context. Theoretical contributions include validating Schmitt’s framework and expanding its application in low-involvement industries. The study focuses only on franchised fast-food chains in Sri Lanka, targeting only Generation Z consumers in one geographic region. Therefore, studies of other industries and demographics in the future will increase generalizability.