The role of influencer marketing moderation in consumer journeys and digital trust in online purchasing decisions

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the influence of consumer journey, digital trust, and consumer purchasing decisions with influencer marketing as a moderation variable in students who are active users of the Shopee e-commerce platform in Batam City. This study also examines the role of influencer marketing as a moderation variable in the relationship between consumer journey and digital trust on consumer purchase decisions. The method used is quantitative research with a descriptive and verified approach. The research population is students in Batam City and has made transactions on Shopee in the last six months. The sampling technique used purposive sampling with a total of 100 respondents. Data analysis was carried out using multiple linear regression analysis with the help of SmartPLS software version 4.0. The results of the study show that consumer journey, digital trust, and influencer marketing have a positive and significant effect on consumer purchase decisions. Additionally, influencer marketing has been shown to moderate the relationship between consumer journeys and digital trust in consumer purchasing decisions positively. This means that the existence of relevant and popular influencers among students is able to strengthen the influence of shopping experience and digital trust on purchase intentions. These findings underscore the importance of digital marketing strategies that combine a good user experience, digital trust, and collaboration with influencers in improving purchasing decisions among college students. The implications of this study for e-commerce like Shopee are that marketing strategies that optimize the consumer experience, build digital trust, and collaborate with relevant influencers can increase purchase conversions, especially from the student segment.

Keywords
  • Consumer journey
  • Digital trust
  • Influencer marketing
  • Consumer purchases
References
  1. Agarwal, S., Kweh, Q. L., Goh, K. W., & Wider, W. (2025). Redefining marketing strategies through sustainability: Influencing consumer behavior in the circular economy: A systematic review and roadmap for future research. In Cleaner and Responsible Consumption (Vol. 18). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100298
  2. Al-Adwan, A.S., Alrousan, M.K., Yaseen, H., Alkufahy, A.M., & Alsoud, M. (2022). Increasing Online Purchase Intent in a High Uncertainty Avoidance Society: A Signaling Theory Approach. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8030136
  3. Alex, R.K., Aboobaker, N., & Devipriya, S.P. (2025). Clean selection: Do Indian consumers intend to buy microplastic-free personal care products. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100312
  4. An, K.K., & Ngo, TSA (2025). AI-powered personalized ads and purchase intent in Vietnam's digital landscape: The role of trust, relevance, and usability. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100580
  5. Anatan, L., & Nur. (2023). Readiness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises for Digital Transformation in Indonesia. Economics. MDPI Journal, 11(6).
  6. Arango-Kure, M., & Garz, M. (2025). Manipulation: An integrative framework of unethical influence in marketing. Journal of Business Research, 197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115476
  7. Ben-Ner, A., & Halldorsson, F. (2010). Trust and trust: What it is, how to measure it, and what affects it. Journal of Economic Psychology, 31(1), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2009.10.001
  8. Chang, W., Li, H., Khamararudin, M., & Khan, W. A. (2025). Influencing environmentally conscious travelers: The role of green marketing in promoting sustainable destinations. Acta Psychos, 260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105506
  9. Creswell, JW (2016). Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. . Student Library.
  10. De, O., Simanjutak, P., Roberto, ), & Purba, R. (2024). Analysis of the Influence of Digital Marketing Strategy through Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in Increasing Sales of MSME Products in Indonesia. EKOMBIS REVIEW: Scientific Journal of Economics and Business, 12(4), 4251–4260. https://doi.org/10.37676/ekombis.v12i4
  11. De Wijk, R.A., Janssen, A.M., & Dwyer, L. (2025). Consumer journey: A new methodology for studying the effects of store and product information on consumer responses to sustainable food and apparel fabrics. Food Quality and Preferences, 126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105381
  12. Dhiman, R., & Bhati, N.S. (2025). When AI meets influencers: The role of AI-powered instagram influencers driving consumer purchase intent: SMIV & SOR framework integration. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100591
  13. Eddleston, KA, & Kellermanns, F.W. (2007). Destructive and productive family relationships: A perspective of stewardship theory. Journal of Business Adventure, 22(4), 545–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2006.06.004
  14. Glassberg, I., Ilan, Y. B., & Zwilling, M. (2025). The key role of design and transparency in increasing trust in AI-powered digital agents. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(5), 100770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2025.100770
  15. Ghozali, I. (2008). Aplikasi Analisis Multivariate dengan Program SPSS. Semarang: Badan Penerbit Universitas Diponegoro.
  16. Guiso, L. (2009). A financial crisis driven by trust. Implications for the future of financial markets. European University Institute.
  17. Handoko, B.L., & R.A. (2022). The Influence of Skepticism, Big Data Analysis to Financial Fraud Detection Moderated by Forensic Accounting. ACM International Conference Proceedings Series, 59–66.
  18. Herman, H., Syukrina, V., Janrosl, E., & Aslan, I. (2024). The effect of service quality and brand image on customer loyalty with consumer satisfaction as a mediating variable in Shopee e-commerce. 10(1), 29–36. https://doi.org/10.29210/020243167
  19. Inoue, Y., & Hashimoto, M. (2023). The importance of the quality of face-to-face service in last mile delivery for e-commerce platforms. Interdisciplinary Perspectives of Transportation Research, 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trip.2023.100885
  20. Jacobs, K., Bergener, J., & Gossen, M. (2025). Effect of hypothetical eco-scores on purchase decisions: Empirical evidence on consumer preferences and consumer segments for mobile phones. Cleaner and Responsible Consumption, 18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100289
  21. Jiang, Y., & Stylos, N. (2021). Triggers for increased consumer digital engagement and the role of digital technology in the transformation of the retail ecosystem during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forecasting Technology and Social Change, 172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121029
  22. Kokins, G., Straujuma, A., & Lapina, I. (2021). The role of the consumer and customer journey in the customer-driven experience is open and open. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc7030185
  23. Lankin, E., Graf, A., Schultz, R., Johnson, R., & McCullough, K. (2023). A consumer perspective on quality care: Exploring the patient's journey from a remote primary healthcare clinic to Alice Springs Hospital. College, 30(6), 762–768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2023.05.003
  24. Li, J., Zhu, E., Lin, W., Yang, S. X., & Yang, S. (2025). A new mutual trust framework driven by digital twins for human-robot collaboration.Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 80, 948–962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmsy.2025.04.009
  25. Li, L., Yuan, L., & Tian, J. (2023). The effect of online E-commerce interaction on consumer satisfaction based on big data algorithms. Helion, 9(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18322
  26. Liu, J. (2025). The impact of brand longevity on consumer purchase intent: An ERP study. Neuroscience Research, 216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2025.04.001
  27. Liu, Y., Kamal, M. M., Zhang, J. Z., Rahman, M., & Aydin, E. (2025). Leveraging digital crowdfunding platforms for SME sustainability in emerging markets: The role of entrepreneurial competencies, social capital, and supply chain trust. Techno 147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103309
  28. Olaoye, CO, Ogunleye, S.A., & Solanke, F.T. (2018). Tax audit and tax productivity in Lagos state, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Accounting Research, 3(2), 202–210. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-08-2018-0028
  29. Rabby, F., Suryanarayana Murthy, Y., & Bansal, R. (2025). Brand evangelism in the digital age: The impact of data-driven influencer marketing. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Markets, and Complexity, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2025.100552
  30. Saguansap, V., Wongbumru, T., Saguansap, P., Mruksirisuk, P., Chaipong, S., Veerasilp, W., & Thanvisitthpon, N.T. (2025). Factors influencing housing rental decisions in major cities in Thailand: an analysis of the elements of the marketing mix. Sustainable Future, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101196
  31. Shizhen Bai, J. Z. C. H. M. Y. (2025). From reviews to product titles: How to drive consumer purchase decisions☆. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications.
  32. Sorooshian, S. (2025). Influencer marketing: selection of service suppliers. Management Decisions, 63(13), 146–173. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-12-2023-2366
  33. Sparacino, A., Mota-Gutierrez, J., Rui, M., Indelicati, S., & Merlino, V.M. (2025). Explore consumer knowledge and the importance of sustainable agri-food certification in purchasing behavior. Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102127
  34. Spörl-Wang, K., Krause, F., & Henkel, S. (2025). Predictors of social media influencer marketing effectiveness: A comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Business Research, 186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.114991
  35. Tang, T.W., & Chi, W.H. (2016). The Role of Trust in Customer Online Shopping Behavior: A Perspective of Technology Acceptance Models. http://onemvweb.com/sources/sources/r ole_trust_online_shopping.pdf
  36. Tissayakorn, K. (2025). Consumers' decision to buy an electric vehicle in Bangkok, Thailand. Case Studies on Transport Policy, 21, 101536. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CSTP.2025.101536
  37. Trihudiyatmanto, M. (2024). Analysis of Consumer Satisfaction in E-Commerce 48 Analysis of Consumer Satisfaction in E-Commerce. Journal of Economics, Management and Business, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.32699/magna.v3i1.6794
  38. Valentini, T., Roederer, C., & Castéran, H. (2024). From redesign to revenue: Measure the effect of a service renovation on customer lifetime value. Journal of Retail and Consumer Services, 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2023.103681
  39. Vigolo, V., Galimberti, A., Cobelli, N., & Baroni, B.B. (2025). Towards clean cooking: Predicting consumer intentions to buy better stoves in Sub-Saharan countries. Forecasting Technology and Social Change, 219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124288