The Influence of e-WOM through SNS on Brand Perception and Consumer Purchase Intention: Study on Bangladeshi consumers.

Abstract: Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the influence e-WOM through social network sites has on consumers focusing on brand perception and purchase intention.  Methodology: A qualitative study was applied with the semi-structured online interview conducted with nine respondents across Bangladesh. The collected primary data were transcribed and thematically analyzed with the reviewed literature.  Findings and Conclusion: We conclude that e-WOM through SNS helps consumers to select smartphones and gadgets. Due to paid reviews and negative influencers, trustworthiness is vital on SNS reviews. Also, the recommendation from known sources or personal research increases brand perception. Rather than relying on single reviews on SNS, it is highly recommended to justify the reviews for purchase intention of smartphones or gadgets. Contribution of the Thesis: This study suggests that e-WOM through SNS influences consumers' purchase of smartphones or gadget brands. It is recommended for the managers to determine reviewers on SNS regarding smartphone or gadget brands. Besides, this study exposes the importance of trustworthiness in SNS reviews.  Suggestion for the Future Research: We suggest future research on a similar topic using a larger sample size. We also propose a comparative study with two or more countries on similar products to determine differences and results relatively. Besides, this study only focused on smartphones or gadget items; focusing on different products with larger audiences might be done for future research. Furthermore, future research could be done