The Effects of Brand Image, Product Quality, and Brand Ambassador on Purchase Decisions: The Mediating Role of Purchase Intention among Whitelab Skincare Users

Authors

  • Welly Dhea Ayu Hapsari Universitas Negeri Semarang

Keywords:

brand image, Product quality, tourism ambassador community, purchase intention, Purchasing decisions

Abstract

Understanding how brand perceptions and product evaluations translate into purchase decisions is important for skincare marketing. This study examines the effects of brand image, product quality, and brand ambassador on purchase decisions, with purchase intention as a mediator, among Whitelab skincare users in Pati Regency, Indonesia. A quantitative survey was conducted using purposive sampling. Data were collected from 400 users aged 13–55 years through online and printed questionnaires between February 2 and April 2, 2025. The instrument comprised 25 items measured on a five-point Likert scale. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was performed using SmartPLS 3. Brand image, product quality, and brand ambassador were positively associated with purchase intention. Product quality, brand ambassador, and purchase intention also had significant positive relationships with purchase decisions. However, the direct relationship between brand image and purchase decisions was not significant. Purchase intention significantly mediated the relationships of all three predictors with purchase decisions. The model explained 60.8% of the variance in purchase intention and 44.5% of the variance in purchase decisions. The findings distinguish the indirect role of brand image from the combined direct and indirect roles of product quality and brand ambassador. They suggest that skincare marketers should connect brand communication with purchase interest while maintaining product quality and selecting suitable ambassadors. The findings are specific to the surveyed users and do not establish causal effects.

References

Benitez, J., Henseler, J., Castillo, A., & Schuberth, F. (2020). How to perform and report an impactful analysis using partial least squares: Guidelines for confirmatory and explanatory IS research. Information & Management, 57(2), Article 103168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.05.003

De Veirman, M., Cauberghe, V., & Hudders, L. (2017). Marketing through Instagram influencers: The impact of number of followers and product divergence on brand attitude. International Journal of Advertising, 36(5), 798–828. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2017.1348035

Djafarova, E., & Rushworth, C. (2017). Exploring the credibility of online celebrities’ Instagram profiles in influencing the purchase decisions of young female users. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.11.009

Ebrahim, R. S. (2020). The role of trust in understanding the impact of social media marketing on brand equity and brand loyalty. Journal of Relationship Marketing, 19(4), 287–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332667.2019.1705742

Erkan, I., & Evans, C. (2018). Social media or shopping websites? The influence of eWOM on consumers’ online purchase intentions. Journal of Marketing Communications, 24(6), 617–632. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2016.1184706

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203

Hsu, C.-L., Chang, C.-Y., & Yansritakul, C. (2017). Exploring purchase intention of green skincare products using the theory of planned behavior: Testing the moderating effects of country of origin and price sensitivity. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 34, 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2016.10.006

Konuk, F. A. (2018). The role of store image, perceived quality, trust and perceived value in predicting consumers’ purchase intentions towards organic private label food. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 43, 304–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2018.04.011

Kudeshia, C., & Kumar, A. (2017). Social eWOM: Does it affect the brand attitude and purchase intention of brands? Management Research Review, 40(3), 310–330. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-07-2015-0161

Liu, X., & Zheng, X. (2024). The persuasive power of social media influencers in brand credibility and purchase intention. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 15. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02512-1

Lou, C., & Yuan, S. (2019). Influencer marketing: How message value and credibility affect consumer trust of branded content on social media. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 19(1), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2018.1533501

Sakinah, N., & Firmansyah, F. (2021). Kualitas produk dan harga terhadap keputusan pembelian dengan purchase intention sebagai variabel intervening. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen dan Bisnis, 22(2), 192–202. https://doi.org/10.30596/jimb.v22i2.7100

Schouten, A. P., Janssen, L., & Verspaget, M. (2020). Celebrity vs. influencer endorsements in advertising: The role of identification, credibility, and product-endorser fit. International Journal of Advertising, 39(2), 258–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2019.1634898

Seo, E.-J., & Park, J.-W. (2018). A study on the effects of social media marketing activities on brand equity and customer response in the airline industry. Journal of Air Transport Management, 66, 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2017.09.014

Sokolova, K., & Kefi, H. (2020). Instagram and YouTube bloggers promote it, why should I buy? How credibility and parasocial interaction influence purchase intentions. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 53, Article 101742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2019.01.011

Downloads

Published

2026-10-17

How to Cite

Welly Dhea Ayu Hapsari. (2026). The Effects of Brand Image, Product Quality, and Brand Ambassador on Purchase Decisions: The Mediating Role of Purchase Intention among Whitelab Skincare Users. Proceeding of International Management Conference and Progressive Papers, 4(1). Retrieved from https://proceeding.unesa.ac.id/index.php/immersive/article/view/8928

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.