IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i10p4404-d1654294.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Influence of Social Media Attributes on Impulsive Travel Intentions: Integrating the Stimulus–Organism–Response Theory and Information Adoption Model

Author

Listed:
  • Yuqian Wei

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China)

  • Hengyu Liu

    (Department of Leisure Service and Sports, Pai Chai University, Daejeon 35345, Republic of Korea)

  • Wenhui Zhuo

    (School of Economics and Management, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China)

  • Keun-Soo Park

    (Department of Leisure Service and Sports, Pai Chai University, Daejeon 35345, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

As social media platforms become integral to information dissemination, they play a crucial role in shaping tourist decision-making and travel behavior. However, while previous studies have examined the general influence of social media on tourism, limited research has explored the interplay between source attributes, content quality, destination image, and trust in fostering impulsive travel intentions, a key yet underexplored aspect of tourist behavior. To address this gap, this study integrates the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theory and the Information Adoption Model (IAM) to analyze how source credibility, source homophily, and content quality on social media influence impulsive travel intentions through destination image and trust. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) on survey data from 419 Chinese respondents, the results reveal that source credibility and homophily significantly enhance content quality, while both credibility and content quality positively shape destination image. Moreover, destination image and trust serve as crucial mediators, strengthening the relationship between social media attributes and impulsive travel behavior. This study advances the discourse on sustainable tourism development by shedding light on the role of digital engagement in shaping tourists’ spontaneous travel decisions, a dimension often overlooked in discussions on long-term economic sustainability. Furthermore, by examining the nuanced mechanisms of social media influence, this research provides practical implications for tourism marketers and policymakers aiming to leverage digital platforms for sustainable destination marketing.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuqian Wei & Hengyu Liu & Wenhui Zhuo & Keun-Soo Park, 2025. "The Influence of Social Media Attributes on Impulsive Travel Intentions: Integrating the Stimulus–Organism–Response Theory and Information Adoption Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4404-:d:1654294
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4404/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/10/4404/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephanie Watts Sussman & Wendy Schneier Siegal, 2003. "Informational Influence in Organizations: An Integrated Approach to Knowledge Adoption," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 14(1), pages 47-65, March.
    2. Heng Xu & Menglu Zhang & Jun Zeng & Huihui Hao & Hao-Chiang Koong Lin & Mengyun Xiao, 2022. "Use of Latent Dirichlet Allocation and Structural Equation Modeling in Determining the Factors for Continuance Intention of Knowledge Payment Platform," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Rebeka-Anna Pop & Zsuzsa Săplăcan & Dan-Cristian Dabija & Mónika-Anetta Alt, 2022. "The impact of social media influencers on travel decisions: the role of trust in consumer decision journey," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(5), pages 823-843, March.
    4. Jing Ge & Ulrike Gretzel, 2018. "Impact of humour on firm-initiated social media conversations," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 61-83, April.
    5. Dash, Ganesh & Paul, Justin, 2021. "CB-SEM vs PLS-SEM methods for research in social sciences and technology forecasting," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    6. Eleni Kilipiri & Eugenia Papaioannou & Iordanis Kotzaivazoglou, 2023. "Social Media and Influencer Marketing for Promoting Sustainable Tourism Destinations: The Instagram Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Elvira Ismagilova & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Emma Slade & Michael D. Williams, 2017. "Electronic Word of Mouth (eWOM) in the Marketing Context," SpringerBriefs in Business, Springer, number 978-3-319-52459-7.
    8. Mohammad Tipu Sultan & Farzana Sharmin & Alina Badulescu & Darie Gavrilut & Ke Xue, 2021. "Social Media-Based Content towards Image Formation: A New Approach to the Selection of Sustainable Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Evangelos Christou & Antonios Giannopoulos & Ioanna Simeli, 2025. "Die Entwicklung des digitalen Tourismusmarketings: Von Hashtags zu KI-immersiven Reisen im Zeitalter des Metaversums [The Evolution of Digital Tourism Marketing: From Hashtags to AI-Immersive Journ," Post-Print hal-05138446, HAL.
    2. Evangelos Christou & Antonios Giannopoulos & Ioanna Simeli, 2025. "The Evolution of Digital Tourism Marketing: From Hashtags to AI-Immersive Journeys in the Metaverse Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-41, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo & Reason Masengu, 2025. "Rebuilding sustainable green tourism supply chain through technology adoption and social media branding in Zimbabwe post-COVID-19," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(8), pages 18105-18128, August.
    2. G. Onofrei & R. Filieri & L. Kennedy, 2022. "Social media interactions, purchase intention, and behavioural engagement on social networking platforms: The mediating role of source and content factors," Post-Print hal-04779119, HAL.
    3. Option Takunda Chiwaridzo & Reason Masengu, 2023. "The impact of social media branding and technology adoption on green tourism: the role of tourist behavior as a mediator in developing countries post-COVID-19—context of Zimbabwe," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Verma, Deepak & Prakash Dewani, Prem & Behl, Abhishek & Pereira, Vijay & Dwivedi, Yogesh & Del Giudice, Manilo, 2023. "A meta-analysis of antecedents and consequences of eWOM credibility: Investigation of moderating role of culture and platform type," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    5. Vintilă Marian-Andrei & Merciu Florentina-Cristina & Ducman Andrei & Drăghici Cristian Constantin, 2025. "Current Trends in Film Tourism in Romania. Case Study: The Wednesday Series," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 2777-2792.
    6. Onofrei, George & Filieri, Raffaele & Kennedy, Lorraine, 2022. "Social media interactions, purchase intention, and behavioural engagement: The mediating role of source and content factors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 100-112.
    7. Rehman, Anisur & Behera, Rajat Kumar & Islam, Md Saiful & Elahi, Yasir Arafat & Abbasi, Faraz Ahmad & Imtiaz, Asma, 2024. "Drivers of metaverse adoption for enhancing marketing capabilities of retail SMEs," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    8. Rosillo-Díaz, Elena & Muñoz-Rosas, Juan Francisco & Blanco-Encomienda, Francisco Javier, 2024. "Impact of heuristic–systematic cues on the purchase intention of the electronic commerce consumer through the perception of product quality," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Vegas-Macias, Jordi, 2025. "Social contact and value co-creation practices. Tourist–resident encounters and urban cycling in Copenhagen," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    10. Morais, Ana Catarina & Ishida, Akira & Matsuda, Ruriko, 2024. "Ethical food consumption drivers in Japan. A S–O-R framework application using PLS-SEM with a MGA assessment based on clustering," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    11. Kautish, Pradeep & Paço, Arminda & Thaichon, Park, 2022. "Sustainable consumption and plastic packaging: Relationships among product involvement, perceived marketplace influence and choice behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    12. Un-Kon Lee, 2021. "The Effect of Confirmation of Nation Brand Image in International Tourism Advertisement on Travel Intention of Foreign Tourists: The Case of Korean ITA for Chinese Tourists," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440209, January.
    13. Chien, Yu-Shyun & Lu, Chung-Cheng, 2025. "Investigating users’ intention to re-use shared electric scooters through a combined behavioral model," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 533-544.
    14. Mohammadi, Zohreh & Kašpar, Jan & Tahri, Meryem & Sherstiuk, Maryna, 2024. "Assessing citizens' willingness for participatory forest management planning: A case study in the Czech Republic," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    15. Hongyi Sun & Bingqian Zhang & Wenbin Ni, 2022. "A Hybrid Model Based on SEM and Fuzzy TOPSIS for Supplier Selection," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(19), pages 1-19, September.
    16. Affifa Sardar & Amir Manzoor & Khurram Adeel Shaikh & Liaqat Ali, 2021. "An Empirical Examination of the Impact of eWom Information on Young Consumers’ Online Purchase Intention: Mediating Role of eWom Information Adoption," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, October.
    17. Fayyaz, Muhammad Shahzeb & Abbasi, Amir Zaib & Kumar, Sanjeev & Qureshi, Ammar & Hussain, Khalil & Muhammad, Lakhi, 2025. "Integrating digital influencer persuasion model and theory of planned behavior: The mediating role of consumer involvement in endorsed brands," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    18. Zehra Ece Serman & Julian Sims, 2023. "Source Credibility Theory: SME Hospitality Sector Blog Posting During the Covid-19 Pandemic," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(6), pages 2317-2334, December.
    19. Sébastien Jacques & Abdeldjalil Ouahabi & Zoe Kanetaki, 2023. "Post-COVID-19 Education for a Sustainable Future: Challenges, Emerging Technologies and Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-4, April.
    20. Alfiero, Simona & Battisti, Enrico & Ηadjielias, Elias, 2022. "Black box technology, usage-based insurance, and prediction of purchase behavior: Evidence from the auto insurance sector," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4404-:d:1654294. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.