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This research aims to explore the role of service excellence in enhancing consumer loyalty in culinary MSMEs, with a case study at RM Kamang Jaya in Medan City. In facing intense competition in the food industry, excellent service becomes an important strategy to maintain and expand the customer base. A qualitative approach with a case study method was employed to deeply examine customer experiences, perceptions, and service practices through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings show that the consistent application of service standards, friendly attitudes of staff, and attention to detail in service delivery greatly contribute to customer satisfaction and loyalty. Good service has been proven to encourage repeat orders, create positive experiences, and enhance word-of-mouth promotion. Despite some technical obstacles, such as order errors or menu limitations, the quick response and professional attitude of employees were able to minimize their impact. These findings confirm that service excellence not only meets the functional needs of consumers but also builds emotional attachment, which becomes the foundation of long-term loyalty. The implications of this research are significant for other MSME actors in designing superior service strategies to face increasingly complex business competition.

This study aims to examine how Generation Z in Sukoharjo Regency makes iPhone purchases based on their impressions of the brand and product quality. Generation Z is known to be highly tech-savvy, analytical, and selective in purchasing goods, especially mobile phones. With rapid technological advancements and intense competition among smartphone brands, it is crucial for companies to understand what aspects influence young consumers' purchasing decisions. We used a quantitative approach based on survey data obtained from 30 individuals who are current iPhone users or are considering purchasing one.The decision to buy is the dependent variable in this study, whereas product quality and brand perception are the independent variables. This data analysis examines whether these two separate factors influence customer purchasing decisions. According to the study, Generation Z purchases iPhones based on brand and product quality. Based on these findings, attracting young consumers as buyers depends on positive brand perceptions and high-quality product offerings. Marketing academics, especially those specializing in consumer behavior, can benefit from the theoretical contributions of this study, while business owners and marketers can use the practical implications of this research to better target Generation Z in the digital age. Gen Z's smartphone purchases are heavily influenced by brand image and quality.

Instagram has become one of the most influential digital platforms for the construction and dissemination of lifestyle meanings, particularly through the presence of social media influencers. Among various lifestyle narratives, luxury is one of the most dominant and ideologically loaded representations circulated by influencers. This study examines how luxury is represented, constructed, and naturalized in the Instagram content of female Indonesian influencers using Roland Barthes’ semiotic framework. The object of this research consists of visual and textual Instagram posts that display luxury-related lifestyles, including fashion, travel, leisure, and consumption practices. The main problem addressed in this study concerns how signs of luxury operate at the levels of denotation, connotation, and myth to shape audience perceptions of success, femininity, and social status. The objective of this research is to reveal the ideological meanings embedded in influencer content and to explain how luxury is transformed into a normalized and desirable lifestyle. This study employs a qualitative descriptive method with semiotic analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling of Instagram posts from selected female Indonesian influencers with significant follower engagement. The findings show that luxury is represented not merely through high-priced commodities but through symbolic systems involving aesthetics, body presentation, spatial settings, and narrative captions. At the mythological level, luxury is naturalized as the result of personal effort, self-discipline, and modern femininity, thereby obscuring structural inequalities and reinforcing consumerist ideology. This study concludes that Instagram influencers function as cultural agents who reproduce dominant myths of success and luxury in digital culture.

The revocation of Pinkflash's cosmetic product distribution license by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has once again attracted public attention after the brand experienced a similar incident in 2024. This crisis raises questions about Pinkflash's public relations strategy in maintaining consumer trust and preserving its brand reputation. This study aims to analyze Pinkflash's public relations strategy and measure the impact of the crisis on public perception through social media sentiment analysis using Brand24. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative approach. The main data in this study was obtained from official documents by BPOM and official brand statements, which were then analyzed using content analysis and sentiment analysis using Brand24. The results of the study show that Pinkflash's crisis response only temporarily dampened negative sentiment. The root of the problem lies in weak governance, which led this study to conclude that reputation can only be rebuilt through comprehensive improvements to the quality of its systems and supply chain, with a commitment to honest operations as the key.

The rapid growth of modern retail competition requires companies to understand key drivers of consumer purchasing behavior, particularly impulse buying. This study examines the influence of price perception on impulse buying, with positive emotion as the mediating variable. Data were collected from 100 Circle K customers in Denpasar City using a purposive sampling method. Responses were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using Path Analysis and Sobel Test. The findings show that price perception has a positive and significant effect on impulse buying and positive emotion, and positive emotion has a positive and significant effect on impulse buying. Further, positive emotion is a significant mediator in the relationship between price perception and impulse buying. These findings support Cognitive Appraisal Theory, suggesting that favorable price perceptions of sales promotions can evoke positive emotional responses, which in turn encourage impulse buying behavior among Circle K customers in Denpasar City.

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of halal brands, brand image, and price perceptions on the motivation and purchasing choices of Wardah consumers, as well as to identify the psychological and behavioral factors underlying the phenomenon of "The Wardah Effect" among Indonesian people. This study uses a descriptive quantitative approach supported by qualitative data. A total of 21 Wardah respondents aged 18 to 27 years old in Kudus were selected as respondents through purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected online using a questionnaire with a Likert scale and open-ended questions. The results showed that three main factors greatly influenced "The Wardah Effect", namely value (halal image and pride in local products), economic efficiency (affordable prices), and ease of access (easy to find). Most respondents felt proud of local products (81.0%), found the prices offered affordable (95.2% agreed), and thought that the products were easy to find (90.5%). Halal imagery is also the most influential component, which provides a sense of security and trust (76.2% fully agree). Promotions and advertisements had an impact on 80.9% of respondents. It was concluded that Wardah's purchase decision was based on three types of rationality, namely economic, cultural, and ideological, as well as social-digital, thus making Wardah a symbol of identity and social values for the younger generation.

This study aims to analyze consumer behavior towards two ready-to-drink beverage brands, Wedrink and Mixue, in Kudus Regency, as well as the psychological, social, and cultural factors that influence consumer preferences. The method used is descriptive quantitative with 26 respondents aged <18 to >27 years, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a 20-item Likert scale questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The results show that consumer preferences are influenced by the taste of the drink, ease of access, price/promotion, as well as social and social media influence. The consumption of trendy drinks like Wedrink and Mixue not only satisfies physiological needs but also serves as a means of self-reward, relaxation, and social identity affirmation. Consumers tend to choose Mixue due to its ease of access and greater number of outlets, while Wedrink attracts attention with its distinctive flavor variants and unique experience. This study shows that the behavior of young consumers is influenced by a combination of rational, emotional, and symbolic factors, with social media playing a significant role in shaping brand perceptions and preferences. These findings provide insights for producers in designing marketing strategies that consider the social and emotional dimensions of consumers.

This study aims to identidy and examine how people’s views on product quality and brand image affect their decision to buy Shell fuel in Surabaya City. The study fecoses on three key areas: first, how both product quality perception and brand image together influence purchase decisions; second, how product quality perception alone impacts purchase decisions; and third, how brand image alone affects purchase decisions. The group of people studied are those who buy and use Shell fuel in Surabaya. To select participants, a non-probability sampling method was used, with the criteria that respondents must be at least 17 years old, live in Surabaya, and have purchased Shell fuel. After distributing questionnaires, 100 people met these criteria. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 3.0 software. The findings show that both product quality perception and brand image together have a significant effect on purchase decisions. Individually, product quality perception has a positive and significant impact on purchase decisions, and brand image also shows a positive and significant effect. These results suggest that improving product quality and enhancing brand image can help Shell increase consumer purchase decisions in Surabaya.

This study aims to describe relevant digital marketing strategies to improve the competitiveness of the Rafika Dompo Banana MSME in Soguo Village, Bolaang Uki District, South Bolaang Mongondow Regency, and analyze the supporting and inhibiting factors in implementing these strategies. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data collection was conducted through observation, in-depth interviews with the owner, employees, and consumers, and documentation. The data analysis technique used a narrative inquiry model. The results of the study indicate that the digital marketing implementation of the Rafika Dompo Pisang MSME is still at a basic stage, utilizing WhatsApp and Facebook organically with simple content managed directly by the owner. Limited digital knowledge, minimal paid promotion budget, and suboptimal utilization of marketplace platforms are the main obstacles. Nevertheless, promotion through social media has been proven to increase product visibility and reach consumers. Supporting factors include maintained product quality, government support for licensing, and consignment collaboration. Consumer perception of the product is very positive, and existing digital promotions are considered to assist in purchasing decisions. In conclusion, the implemented digital marketing strategy is still simple but has a positive impact. Increasing competitiveness requires strategy optimization through increased digital literacy, platform diversification, and more planned resource allocation.

The rapid advancement of smartphone technology has shaped consumer buying behavior, especially among students who depend on these devices for learning and social interaction. This research examines how product features and price perceptions influence students’ decisions to purchase Oppo smartphones in Malang City. Using a quantitative research design, data were obtained through questionnaires distributed to 428 respondents and processed using multiple linear regression analysis. The findings indicate that both product features and perceived price positively and significantly affect purchasing decisions, with product features demonstrating a more dominant role. The proposed model accounts for 66.2% of the variance in purchase decisions, suggesting that these two factors play a substantial part in shaping consumer choices. The results highlight the need for manufacturers like Oppo to focus on continuous feature improvements and maintain competitive pricing to strengthen market appeal. It is also suggested that future studies integrate additional variables such as brand image, marketing promotions, or user experience to offer a broader and more in-depth explanation of the determinants influencing smartphone purchase behavior.

Halal tourism has continued to grow as a highly attractive segment for Muslim travelers, particularly in the provision of Sharia-compliant accommodation such as Islamic hotels. This study aims to examine consumer perceptions of halal food-and-beverage facilities and Sharia-based operational standards in Islamic hotels across the Greater Jakarta area (Jabodetabek). A descriptive quantitative approach was employed, involving 150 respondents who had stayed in Sharia hotels. Data were collected through closed-ended Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using the Weighted Mean Score (WMS) technique to evaluate respondents’ assessments of each indicator. The results indicate that consumer perception of halal food-and-beverage facilities falls into the very high category, with average scores exceeding 4.838. Consumers acknowledged that Sharia hotels maintain halal assurance, hygiene, and food safety through proper processing and the availability of halal certification. Regarding operational aspects, consumer perception is also classified as very good, with an average score of 4.606, particularly for policies prohibiting unmarried couples from sharing a room and banning entertainment deemed inappropriate or immoral. However, the use of Sharia-compliant financial institutions still requires improvement. Overall, the findings affirm that Sharia hotels in Jabodetabek have successfully implemented most Sharia principles, although further enhancement of internal operational practices is needed to achieve more comprehensive Sharia compliance.

This study examines the influence of digital marketing strategies, including Content Marketing, Influencer Marketing, and Community Marketing, on Brand Awareness within the e-sports industry. Alongside the rapid growth of the e-sports sector both globally and in Indonesia, effective digital marketing has become essential for brands to enhance visibility and audience engagement. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed to 200 respondents and analyzed using SmartPLS version 4.1.1.2. The analysis results show that the research model achieved an Adjusted R-Square value of 0.752, indicating that the independent variables were able to explain 75.2% of the variance in Brand Awareness. The findings further reveal that Content Marketing, Influencer Marketing, and Community Marketing all have a significant positive effect on Brand Awareness, underscoring their critical role in shaping consumer perception and engagement. These results highlight the importance of integrated digital marketing strategies in building strong brand recognition, fostering community interaction, and enhancing consumer loyalty in the highly competitive e-sports landscape. By leveraging these strategies, companies can not only strengthen their market position but also create deeper relationships with e-sports fans. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on digital marketing within the creative economy and offers practical insights for marketers seeking to develop targeted and effective promotional strategies in the dynamic e-sports environment.

This study aims to determine the influence of brand awareness, brand association, and brand loyalty associated with brand equity on consumer purchase decisions in using GO-JEK services in Depok City. These three variables were analyzed both partially and simultaneously to identify the degree of their influence on consumers' decisions in choosing online transportation services. The research method used is a quantitative approach with the distribution of questionnaires as a data collection instrument, while the analysis is carried out using inferential statistical techniques. The results show that partially the variables of brand association and brand loyalty have a significant and dominant influence on purchasing decisions. This indicates that consumers' perception of the image and emotional connection with the GO-JEK brand plays an important role in the decision to choose the service. In addition, the results of the simultaneous test showed that brand awareness, brand association, and brand loyalty together had a positive and significant influence on purchasing decisions. These findings confirm that strong brand equity is an important factor in increasing consumer interest and preference for GO-JEK services. Therefore, companies need to maintain and strengthen branding strategies to increase competitiveness and maintain customer loyalty.

This study investigates the influence of Brand Image, Product Quality, and the use of Social Media on consumers’ purchasing decisions to Wardah facial cream. Using a quantitative method with purposive sampling technique, this study involved 120 Wardah product users in the West Semarang area. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and processed using SmartPLS 4.0. The results indicate that product quality and social media usage have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions, whereas brand image shows a positive but insignificant effect. This suggests that consumers tend to prioritize tangible attributes such as product quality and active engagement through social media over brand perception The model explains 75.2% of the variance in purchasing decisions (Adjusted R² = 0.752), highlighting the strong explanatory power of the variables examined. Practically, the findings suggest that marketers should prioritize product quality and optimize social media campaigns to boost customer engagement and loyalty, while reassessing brand perception strategies.

This study aims to analyze the influence of price perception and service quality on customer satisfaction at Popo Kopitiam Tasikmalaya. The research method used is a survey with a quantitative approach. Data were collected through distributing questionnaires to 90 respondents who are active customers of Popo Kopitiam. Data analysis was conducted using multiple linear regression to determine the simultaneous and partial effects between the independent and dependent variables. The results showed that simultaneously, price perception and service quality have a significant effect on customer satisfaction. Partially, price perception has a significant effect on the level of customer satisfaction, indicating that assessing price according to product quality can increase satisfaction. Similarly, good service quality significantly influences customer satisfaction, indicating the importance of fast, friendly, and professional service. These findings indicate that the combination of competitive prices and optimal service is a major factor in building customer satisfaction at Popo Kopitiam Tasikmalaya.

Rapid technological advancements have encouraged smartphone sellers to emphasize good product quality to meet customer needs in order to achieve customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. A positive brand image and good perceived value are important factors in building customer satisfaction, which ultimately impacts repurchase intentions. This study aims to examine the influence of product quality, brand image, and perceived value on customer satisfaction and thus increasing repurchase intentions. The study was conducted in Jakarta with a descriptive causality design through a quantitative approach and purposive sampling technique. Data were obtained from 131 respondents who have used an iPhone. The conceptual model analysis was conducted using the Structural Equation Modeling method. The results show that product quality, brand image, and perceived value significantly increase customer satisfaction. Furthermore, customer satisfaction has been shown to encourage repurchase intentions. In addition, product quality, brand image, and perceived value each have a positive influence on repurchase intentions through the mediation of customer satisfaction. Thus, all hypotheses of this study are proven to have a positive influence. The contribution of this research is expected to provide understanding for producers in developing their business, as well as being a reference for developing marketing strategies that emphasize improving product quality, building a strong brand image, managing value perceptions, and increasing customer satisfaction in order to attract consumer interest in repeating the same product.

This study aims to evaluate improvements in customer service quality with the goal of increasing customer satisfaction at Ratu D'Laundry. The approach used is quantitative with a descriptive methodology, where data is collected through a survey that measures five main aspects, namely service quality, process speed, price and promotions, customer service, and overall satisfaction and loyalty levels. The results of this study indicate that most customers are satisfied with the services provided, especially in terms of laundry cleanliness, clothing fragrance, and the friendly attitude of staff in providing services. These results show that these factors play an important role in shaping customers' positive perceptions of service quality. However, this study also found several complaints related to service completion time, which is considered to still need improvement. Overall, this study confirms previous findings that service quality has a significant impact on customer satisfaction. The proposed strategy to improve service completion time is a key step in building trust, meeting consumer expectations, and encouraging long-term customer loyalty.

This study investigates the structural relationships among Product Quality (PQ), Brand Image (BI), Word of Mouth (WOM), and Repurchase Intention (RI) to empirically understand the sequential mechanisms driving consumer loyalty in a highly competitive market. Grounded conceptually in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm, the research posits that PQ acts as an external antecedent influencing RI through the mediating cognitive and behavioural constructs of BI and WOM. Data were collected from a sample of 187 Weber product consumers in Surabaya and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The empirical results confirm all hypothesized direct and indirect relationships. Specifically, PQ significantly and positively influences both BI (β=0.337, p<0.000) and WOM (β=0.351, p<0.000). Furthermore, both BI and WOM significantly predict RI, with WOM (β=0.498, p<0.000) demonstrating a markedly stronger effect compared to BI (β=0.414, p<0.000). The model successfully explains a moderate 57% of the variance in Repurchase Intention. These findings underscore the strategic imperative for management to prioritize superior product quality, which organically fosters a positive brand perception and stimulates potent word-of-mouth promotion identified as the most critical driver of repeated purchases. Future research is encouraged to integrate additional affective factors, such as customer satisfaction or perceived price fairness, to enhance the explanatory power of the consumer loyalty model.

This research explores the role of corporate reputation as a mediator between environmental awareness and brand transparency toward social sustainability in Indonesia's beauty industry. With growing consumer expectations for brands to align with environmental and social causes, this study examines the impact of environmental awareness and perceived brand transparency on social sustainability through corporate reputation. A quantitative research approach is employed using multiple regression analysis and Sobel tests on data from Indonesian beauty product consumers. The findings reveal that while perceived brand transparency positively affects corporate reputation, environmental awareness does not directly influence reputation or social sustainability. Additionally, corporate reputation does not mediate the relationship between environmental awareness, brand transparency, and social sustainability. These results suggest that transparency enhances brand reputation but does not automatically translate to social sustainability perceptions. The study recommends further research on additional mediators and practical strategies for companies to implement impactful social sustainability practices

This study investigates the influence of coffee brewing device branding on the sensory perception of coffee flavor at TEFA Javanica, Politeknik Negeri Banyuwangi. Focusing on three V60 dripper brands—Hario (Japanese brand), Indotara (local generic brand), and One Two Cup (local brand with English naming)—the research employs an experimental quantitative approach combining blind and branded taste tests. The blind test eliminates brand influence, allowing assessment of the inherent coffee taste, while the branded test examines how brand expectations affect flavor experience and consumer perception. Sensory evaluation follows the Specialty Coffee Association's standardized cupping protocol, assessing aroma, taste, aftertaste, balance, and overall impression. Data from 45 purposively selected experienced coffee tasters were analyzed using the McNemar test to statistically compare preferences between blind and branded conditions. Results show significant brand effects on consumer perception for two of the three brands tested, highlighting branding’s role in shaping sensory experience. These findings offer valuable insights for coffee producers and marketers to optimize brewing device selection and branding strategies, enhancing customer satisfaction and competitive positioning. Academically, the study enriches literature on sensory branding in coffee, emphasizing the importance of equipment branding in specialty coffee markets. This research also lays groundwork for future studies exploring marketing and consumer psychology aspects within the specialty coffee industry.