Research Paper: Digital Marketing's Impact on Hilton's Consumers

This research paper investigates the influence of digital marketing strategies on consumer buying behavior, focusing on the Hilton hotel chain. The study examines the background of digital media and its impact on consumer purchasing decisions, highlighting the role of various digital marketing techniques such as social media, SEO, and email marketing. The literature review explores relevant concepts, definitions, theories, and models, including the Howard Sheth model and game theory, to understand the factors affecting consumer behavior. The methodology outlines the research approach, data collection methods, sampling techniques, and data analysis procedures. The paper further explores the impact of various factors such as cultural, social, and psychological influences on consumer behavior. The study aims to assess the impact of digital marketing strategies and recommend strategies for improving consumer buying behavior, providing valuable insights for academicians and practitioners in the field of marketing.

Running head: RESEARCH PAPER
An assessment of the impact of digital marketing strategy on consumer buying behaviour: A
case study of Hilton hotel chain

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Background of the study..............................................................................................................3
Clear rationale..............................................................................................................................4
The motivation behind the particular research topic....................................................................4
Aims and objectives.....................................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................5
Concepts – Definitions, theories, and models..............................................................................5
A critical review of relevant theories/models..............................................................................6
Review of existing empirical research.........................................................................................8
Strategies to execute digital media marketing for persuading consumer buying behaviour.......9
Background to the primary research context.............................................................................10
Chapter 3: Methodology................................................................................................................11
Research approach.....................................................................................................................11
Data collection methods.............................................................................................................11
Sampling....................................................................................................................................12
Reliability/dependability............................................................................................................12
Validity/ credibility....................................................................................................................13
Method of data analysis.............................................................................................................13
Generalizability/transferability..................................................................................................14
Chapter 4: Conclusions and Recommendations............................................................................14
Limitations.................................................................................................................................15
References......................................................................................................................................17

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Chapter 1: Introduction
Background of the study
Digital media (DM) is applied in existing times by firms for influencing customers. High
practices of DM could be expensive with respect to corporation since there could be requirement
to spend a large number to promote firm between customers (Kim, Hlee, and Joun, 2016).
Furthermore, new customers can access several platforms previous to purchasing products. For
example, in the hospitality sector, Hilton hotel faces marketing issues such as reducing demand
of consumers and switching consumers towards other others (Pappas, 2016).
With the increasing social media, marketing departments has several options that are available to
them for branding their products. These are publishing of brand content, advertising, and
involvement in social network as well as, creating engagement opportunities for consumers for
involving them with brand (Ahani, et. al., 2019). Because of current trends within technological
advancements, marketing modes and consumer behaviours have seen a shift; it has affected the
consumer decision making procedure while it comes to purchasing the product. There is limited
research that has been done on digital marketing from the perspective of an organization as
investigations have focused highly on the consumers (Melero, Sese, and Verhoef, 2016).
Hilton hotel facilitates the leisure guests, elegant with luxurious accommodations, as well as,
affluent individual business. It provides different features such as well-appointed guestrooms,
meeting with spaces of special event and particular event spaces related to smaller groups (De
Pelsmacker, et. al., 2018). Moreover, firm has observed that each year, large amount of
consumers were switching with respect to another firm due to practicing several digital channels
earlier developing the purchasing judgment. On further investigation, it is evaluated that this

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issue is not unique with Hilton hotel however it is an industry-wide concern (Kumar, et. al.,
2016).
Clear rationale
This research is beneficial for academicians to comprehending the conceptual and theoretical
knowledge with respect to DM and consumer buying behavior. It is also advantageous for
practitioners for increasing the knowledge about the factors affecting consumer buying behavior.
This research is significant for readers for increasing the knowledge about the strategies to
influence consumer buying behavior (Kotler, et. al., 2015).
The motivation behind the particular research topic
The key motivation behind the particular research topic is the interest area of the researcher. It is
also selected by a researcher for identifying the particular issues related to DM. This
investigation topic is chosen by researcher for understanding DM strategies for persuading
consumer buying behavior (Melero, Sese, and Verhoef, 2016).
Aims and objectives
Main aim related to this investigation is to assess impact of digital marketing strategies on
buying behavior of consumer. Another aim is to recommend the strategies for improving the
consumer buying behavior. The following objectives would be applied for accomplishment of
main aim of research:
 To explore theoretical knowledge in the context of digital media marketing (DMM) and
consumer purchasing behavior
 To critically evaluate effects of DMM on consumer buying behavior in context of Hilton
hotel

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 To recommend DM strategy for persuading the consumer purchasing behavior with
respect to Hilton hotel
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Concepts – Definitions, theories, and models
According to Godey et al. (2016), digital media is illustrated as computer-generated technologies
that makes able for investigators for sharing their confidential data, opinion, as well as,
perception on specific concern between bulk of customers. Digital marketing makes able of
investigators to directly communicate with customers as well as, allocates their opinions for
enhancing their understanding regarding goods as well as, services. Some types of digital media
techniques are used through Hilton hotel like social media, SEO, email marketing, SEM as well
as, ad words.
On other hand, Cao Ajjan and Hong (2018) evaluated that practice of SMM (social media
website) permits large scale opportunities with a corporation that would enhance visibility to
customers. Furthermore, these DMM permit customers for liberally communicate. With
perspective related to customers, freedom illustrated that a person could illustrate their opinion
and ideas in the context of products together with, websites of the hotel where a large number of
customers could see and read it.
In favour to this, Kanten and Darma (2017) examined that digital media plays a vital element for
spreading data regarding goods and services of firms. It is not limited for specific data of
company as several websites within DM relationship are engaged to pool data about customers.
The enhanced ease of access has transformed common customers within the research.
As per the view of SivaKumar and Gunasekaran (2017), online businesses create able to
company for taking benefits of every chance for communicating with customers. In addition,

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social networking websites allow corporation to communicating with large number of
consumers. It is supportive for ensuring that organizational information is shared to target the
customers. The practice related to social media makes able in communication for expanding in
both manners like creating a relationship between customers with business. Consequently, it may
influence decisions of consumer buying.
In contrast to this, Ko Phau and Aiello (2016) evaluated that customer buying behavior is result
related to decision, preferences, purposes, and attitudes that is created through customers within
market before buying the goods as well as, services of the firm. It could be identified that some
factors could be emphasized at the time of evaluation of consumer purchasing behavior like
anthropology, sociology as well as, psychology. Some steps could be followed in the buying
process like detection of concerns, evaluating the information, as well as, purchasing and post
purchasing services.
In the view of Hussain et al. (2018), steps of making consumer purchasing are supportive of the
firm for influencing the buying behavior at least cost with time. It is also identified that some
kinds of services could be implemented for influencing the consumer buying behavior like
complex, wide range seeking, declining in dissonance as well as, customary. In such a manner, it
is evaluated that complex customer purchasing behavior depicts high entailment of customers to
specific brands.
A critical review of relevant theories/models
Bilgihan Kandampully and Zhang (2016) argued that some theories are supportive for assessing
impact of DMM on consumer purchasing behavior. Furthermore, social environment
components evaluate the purposes of the consumer with regards to buying goods and services. In
contrast to this, Godey et al. (2016) examined that another theory is related to consumer behavior

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illustrates that decision of consumer buying has favorably impact on current selection of
purchasing. Moreover, the customer feels that DMM could be implemented for motivating
customer buying process.
In contrast to this, Sudha and Sheena (2017) assessed that Howard Sheth model could be
significant model for purchasing intention of the customer. This method can be implemented for
analyzing aspect of stimulating responses as well as, addresses first choice related to consumer
behavior within the targeted period. This model entails some components like input variable,
output variables, hypothetical variables as well as, constructs variables.
As per the opinion of Husnain and Toor (2017), game theory is a mathematical aspect that
assesses how strategic communication among agents or individuals as well as, producing results
as per the choice of agent. Furthermore, the agent could be assumed to have conflicting
preferences. Furthermore, Gamification is practical application related to game theory. In
contrast to this, Thaichon (2017) evaluated that network theory assesses relationship related to all
sorts whether between individuals, animals, and things. Social network analysis is an
overlapping technique to learn regarding patterns that create within a social network as well as,
how they impact on behavior.
In support of this, Pantano and Priporas (2016) identified that digital marketing channels like
Twitter, Facebook, groups, and foursquare are effective in such terms as they permit the
marketers for listening to what customers are saying. It also permits marketers to leverage the
power related to influential users in order to allocate the message during their networks.
Investigation indicates that most influential users are those with most influences across the
number of differentiated networks.

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In the view of Schivinski and Dabrowski (2016), generational marketing theory demonstrates
that customers born of the same generation such as 21 year has common attitudes as well as,
behaviors due to shared experiences. It may influence the childhoods and shaped their opinion of
the world. The appropriateness of generational theory related to digital marketing is primarily in
the manner where each generation interacts as well as, the online places where marketers can
reach them.
Review of existing empirical research
According to Xu et al. (2017), there are some components, which may affect consumer
purchasing behavior such as cultural, social, psychological as well as, behavioral factors.
Moreover, culture plays an effective role in assessing consumer behavior. In such way, culture is
a critical belief in terms of evaluating the attitudes of person that entails the culture, norms,
tradition, societal attitude, as well as, roles that society plays within an organization. Therefore,
requirements of culture should be widely assessed because it is main components, which may
affect consumer behavior.
In contrast to this, Kannan (2017) stated that sub-culture could be related to set of individual who
shares same customs, values, and tradition. Moreover, Hilton hotel can focus on racial group,
religious, nation and set of an individual who belongs to same fields. Hence, it will be
advantageous to positively influence customer behavior. It is analyzed that society is an alias as
social class. The company can focus on social class, which could be targeted as frequently
purchasing the prototype related to society is moderately parallel to other customers. Moreover,
it cannot only focus on income of customers but also focus on groups of social customer.
On other side, Park and Lee (2017) evaluated that some social factors may affect consumer
behavior. Under social factors, the reference group is a factor that influences consumer behavior.

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Its effects can be differentiated from one brand as well as, products to another. Moreover, this
group emphasizes on views related to leader. Moreover, behavior related to consumers are not
only influenced through motivations as well as, individuality but also, persuaded through
families to team participants who have more than two people and persuaded blood relationship
and marriage.
In contrast to this, Escobar-Rodríguez and Bonsón-Fernández (2017) evaluated that an individual
who belongs to several corporations, families, groups and club members. It plays an effective
role to keep positions. These functions could affect consumer behavior because they perceive
spending accordingly. Moreover, the personal factor could affect the purchasing behavior of
customers (Ladhari and Michaud, 2015). Large amount of personal sub-factors that could affect
purchasing decision related to consumers. In such a way, the age of customers as well as, their
life-cycle is two sub-factors for personal factors. According to age and life cycle, customer
purchasing behavior as well as, the intention of buying may transform. Therefore, this stage
cannot influence the attitude of consumers.
According to SivaKumar and Gunasekaran (2017), verbal marketing plays essential role in
increasing revenue of company. In addition, customers believe in word of mouth marketing with
respect to products as well as, services. In such a manner, word of mouth marketing into DM
could go globally with solitary message sent via solitary customers. Moreover, customers can
interact to different individuals at tick of button with application of digital media. It basically
conveys a message with regards to corporation.
Strategies to execute digital media marketing for persuading consumer buying behaviour
According to Kannan (2017), company should provide valid information related to brand to
prospective consumers because of allocation of understandable facts with respect to goods and

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services. Moreover, firm can improve brand awareness between bulks of customers by depicting
message among consumers. Furthermore, message can be characteristic as well as, unique rather
than rivalry due to creating positive goodwill in market as well as, increases the productivity.
Therefore, this strategy can be beneficial for persuading the customer purchasing decision.
In contrast to this, Xu et al. (2017) evaluated that firm should keep in mind that message could
take least time as well as, focuses on bulk of customers. It could directly affect purchasing
behavior of customers. Moreover, email should consider first name as well as, appealing
characteristics that can emotionally relate customers to brand. As a result, firm could be able to
persuade customer purchasing decision.
Background to the primary research context
The above chart shows that there are two variables such as dependent variable and independent
variable. In such a way, an independent variable could be DMM like Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, and Snapchat and the dependent variable is buying behavior of consumers such as
personal factor, cultural factor, and social factor. It indicates that positive relationship is exists
between independent and dependent variables (Hussain, et. al., 2018).
Independent
variable
Digital media
marketing
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Snapchat
Dependent
variable
Consumer buying
behavior
Personal factors
Cultural factors
Social factor

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Background of Hilton Hotel
This hotel was started in the year of 1919 while Conrad Hilton has purchased his primary hotel.
From that day, it led industry with innovative strategies in products, facilities, and services. In
current period, Hilton hotel and resorts stands as stylish and visionary as an international leader
of hospitality. It initially focuses on guest with their operational processes. Under year of 1927,
Hilton has started its primary hotel that has some luxury facilities such as air-conditioning as
well as, cold running water within public room. In the year of 2016, Hilton has expanded its
track to 100 nations and fields in around globe with starting of Hilton N'Djamena (Hilton, 2019).
Chapter 3: Methodology
Research approach
Under this investigation, quantitative research design would be selected for creating aim and
objectives of research. This research design would be chosen as it considers the statistical
features. It will be selected by researcher for evaluating association between DM and consumer
purchasing behavior. Moreover, it would be used to gather responses related to participants
(Husnain, and Toor, 2017). This research design will be beneficial to avoid issues of
investigation that creates during the research. Since, quantitative research design depends on
numerical aspects together with, attaining the practical knowledge in the context of impact of
DM on purchasing behavior of consumers in the Hilton Hotel. As a result, this research design
would be appropriate for evaluating the association among DM and purchasing behavior of
consumers (Hussain, et. al., 2018).
Data collection methods
Both data collection technique such as primary with secondary data pooling method would be
chosen by investigator in investigation since it is appropriate to assess impact of DMM on

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consumer buying behavior with reference to Hilton hotel. Survey through questionnaire too is
practiced by the investigator to collect factual information about the research matter (Melero,
Sese, and Verhoef, 2016). This kind of data collection tool is time taking as it assists to deliver
reliable data with reference to investigation issue. Apart from this, it is addressed that the
secondary data collection tool support to depth understanding of the study towards the study in
the least time. This information is gathered by a literature review (Godey, et. al., 2016).
Sampling
In this study, the investigator would like to imply the probability sampling tool to choose
participants in performing the study. It supports the research candidates about the research issue
(Kim and Park, 2017). In this tool, the simple random sampling tool is practiced by the
investigator because it delivers a reliable opportunity to the investigator to collect the depth
information with their responses. It can be effective for obtaining the information to research
candidates towards research issue. In this, samples are randomly chosen from research
participants (Pappas, 2016).
Under this investigation, samples would be randomly chosen through research participants.
Under this investigation, 50 customers will be selected as a sample size who takes facilities of
Hilton hotel at different geographical areas of Australia. A confirmation letter would be sent via
participant through emails to each customer in order to take the approval of the respondent in
research (Radwan, 2016). In addition to this, the questionnaire would be offered by an
investigator to the participant via using e-mail. All candidates provided their response to the
investigator within distributed time. It provides the researcher for collecting more feasible and
authentic result of investigation (Melero, et. al., 2016).
Reliability/dependability