Effective Incentives for Buzz Marketing: How Moral Concern Moderates the Willingness to Engage as Buzz Agents

Abstract

Buzz marketing is becoming a more and more relevant topic. Yet, most research is descriptive and does not provide insights into the underlying mechanisms. To overcome this void, the paper provides a causal model of buzz marketing focusing on the motives of potential buzz agents and their effects on the intention to engage in such marketing activities. The results of a survey with 129 young consumers show that the intention to participate is driven by intrin-sic as well as extrinsic motives. Still, there is an incremental influence of extrinsic motives. Additionally, the effect of intrinsic motives is moderated by moral concern. Implication for further research and practitioners are given.