Impact of Influencer Marketing on Consumer Trust of Food Industry in Sri Lanka with the Mediating Impact of Consumer Perception

Abstract

The research presented here examines the impact of influencer marketing on consumer trust in Sri Lanka's food industry while taking into account the mediating effects of consumer perception. In addition to the additional reading among other academics concentrating on the developing aspects of consumer trust and engagement, this study has helped to clarify the gaps between the many influencer attributes, such as image, credibility, innovation, and attractiveness. The results help us understand how these factors are interconnected and show the importance of influencers in establishing the relationship between customers and business entities. This study used a survey method to gather data from 404 respondents who were chosen by simple random selection as part of its quantitative research approach. A standardized online questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was used to collect data on factors like trust, consumer perception, and influencer attributes like creativity, innovativeness, attractiveness and image. To investigate relationships and validate the study's hypotheses, descriptive and inferential analysis, such as regression and correlation tests, were carried out using SPSS. According to the study, influencer qualities have a big impact on customer trust. Innovation had the most influence (72%), followed by trustworthiness (68%), attractiveness (65%), and image (60%). It was discovered that consumer perception successfully mediated these linkages, highlighting the part influencers play in establishing trust in the food sector. These results are consistent with earlier research highlighting the strategic value of influencer marketing in building customer trust. Based on the study's findings, consumer perception serves as a crucial mediating factor in the relationship between consumer trust in the Sri Lankan food industry and the four main components of influencer marketing: image, credibility, creativity, and content attractiveness. At 36%, influencer image held the biggest share, highlighting the significance of reputation, professionalism, and relatability in fostering trust. With a 29% contribution, credibility was the second most influential quality, highlighting the need for influencers to exhibit knowledge, dependability, and genuineness in order to inspire trust in their recommendations. At 21%, content creation highlighted how creative and captivating content can draw in customers and strengthen consumer trust at 14%, content attractiveness, on the other hand, demonstrated the importance of influencer attractiveness, and captivating narrative in maintaining customer trust. Credibility and trustworthiness were found to be the most important criteria overall, while appealing and original content was essential for preserving long-term customer trust. Assessing long-term trends is limited by the cross-sectional design of the study. Additionally, the sample is limited to Sri Lanka, which limits the findings' generalizability to other contexts, and the reliance on self-reported data introduces possible biases. By include consumer perception as a mediating variable, this study theoretically adds to the body of research on influencer marketing and trust. In practice, it provides marketers with useful information to create campaigns that prioritize creativity, innovativeness, attractiveness and image. Future studies can examine longitudinal patterns in the effects of influencer marketing or expand the geographic focus.