Analysis of Consumer Behavior and Purchase Decisions in the Phenomenon of Pertamax Fuel Adulteration: A Case Study on the Shift to Shell Fuel in Urban Areas of Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38035/gijea.v3i1.372Keywords:
consumer behavior, consumer decision-making, perceived value, brand trustAbstract
This study investigates the shift in consumer behavior and purchase decisions from Pertamax to Shell fuel in urban areas of Indonesia, with a focus on understanding the factors influencing this change. The objective was to explore the underlying motivations driving consumers to choose Shell over Pertamax, examining the role of price sensitivity, perceived fuel quality, brand trust, and promotional factors. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing open-ended questionnaires to gather in-depth insights from 103 participants across major urban areas in Indonesia. The data analysis was conducted using an interactive model, which included data reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. Results revealed that the primary motivations for choosing Shell included its perceived superior fuel quality, better vehicle performance, and smoother driving experience. Additionally, service quality at Shell stations contributed to customer satisfaction. Despite the positive feedback, a significant number of consumers expressed price sensitivity, with many indicating they would consider switching back to Pertamax if it improved its pricing or quality. The findings underscore the importance of both economic and psychological factors in consumer decision-making in the Indonesian fuel market.
References
Abadiyah, A. K. (2021). Analisis Membership Program (“Shell Clubsmartâ€) dalam Upaya Menciptakan Brand Loyalty Consumer Di SPBU Shell Area DKI Jakarta. Syntax Literate?; Jurnal Ilmiah Indonesia, 6(12), 6060–6072. https://doi.org/10.36418/syntax-literate.v6i12.5146
Akbar, M. A., Rezeki, S., & Gustina. (2022). Analysis of the Effect of Promotion and Brand Image on Customer Purchase Decisions. Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis Eka Prasetya Penelitian Ilmu Manajemen, 8(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.47663/jmbep.v8i1.233
Alshammari, K. A. F. (2024). The Impact Of Smart Devices To Address The Difficulty Of Understanding In Light Of (TPB) Theory From The Perspective Of Secondary School Students. Library of Progress-Library Science, Information Technology & Computer, 44(3), 12201–12213.
Anshori, M. Y., Karya, D. F., Irhamni, F., & Handayani, D. (2021). THE DETERMINANTS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION: TEAM LEARNING, TEAM PERFORMANCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY AND SELF-REGULATED LEARNING AS MODERATING EFFECT, AND PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL AS MEDIATING EFFECT. Journal of Institutional Research South East Asia, 19(2), 166–190.
Ateka, J. M., Mbeche ,Robert, Obebo ,Forah, & and Sila, D. (2022). Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Yogurt Product Attributes Among Urban Consumers in Kenya. Journal of International Food & Agribusiness Marketing, 34(4), 410–432. https://doi.org/10.1080/08974438.2021.1902449
Azman, N., Albattat, A., & Tham, J. (2021). Food Choice and Consumer Purchase Decision: Theoretical Review and Proposed Model. Turkish Online Journal of Qualitative Inquiry, 12(10), 5060–5089.
Biber, M., Louis, W. R., & Smith, J. R. (2025). Predicting online privacy protection for Facebook users with an extended theory of planned behavior. Journal of Social Psychology, 165(3), 313–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2024.2319177
Bruijns, B. A., Bourke, M., Nguyen, T., & Tucker, P. (2025). Predictors of Early Childhood Educators’ Movement Behavior Self-Efficacy, Behavioral Intention, and Perceived Behavioral Control. Early Childhood Education Journal, 53(1), 209–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01583-8
Bruijns, B. A., Johnson, A. M., Burke, S. M., & Tucker, P. (2023). Validation of a Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Outdoor Play Behavioral Intention and Perceived Behavioral Control Tool for Early Childhood Educators. Early Childhood Education Journal, 51(3), 559–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-022-01314-5
Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206
Catalano, H. P., Richards, K., Shaw, K. H. H., & Catalano, M. (2025). Applying the theory of planned behavior to predict COVID-19 booster vaccination intentions of college students. Journal of American College Health, 73(2), 625–634. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2023.2228425
DAM, S. M., & DAM, T. C. (2021). Relationships between Service Quality, Brand Image, Customer Satisfaction, and Customer Loyalty. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(3), 585–593. https://doi.org/10.13106/JAFEB.2021.VOL8.NO3.0585
Hamad, F., Shehata, A., & Hosni, N. A. (2024). Predictors of blended learning adoption in higher education institutions in Oman: Theory of planned behavior. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 21, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00443-8
Indri, F. (2022). STUDI KOMPARASI PENGARUH KUALITAS PELAYANAN DAN HARGA TERHADAP KEPUASAN PELANGGAN SHELL DAN PERTAMINA DI KOTA TEBING TINGGI TAHUN 2022 (Studi Kasus Pada Masyarakat Kota Tebing Tinggi) [Other, STIE Bina Karya Tebing Tinggi]. https://www.stiebinakarya.com/
La Barbera, F., & Ajzen, I. (2020). Control Interactions in the Theory of Planned Behavior: Rethinking the Role of Subjective Norm. Europe’s Journal of Psychology, 16(3), 401–417. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v16i3.2056
Li, X., Dai, J., Zhu, X., Li, J., He, J., Huang, Y., Liu, X., & Shen, Q. (2023). Mechanism of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence the green development behavior of construction enterprises. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 266. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01724-9
Marcelo, J., Maliwat, M. C., & Salacata, I. D. S. (2024). Kotler’s Decision-Making Model as a Predictor of the Consumer Buying Behavior of Young Professionals in the Philippines. International Journal of Marketing and Digital Creative, 2(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.31098/ijmadic.v2i1.2257
Nadlifatin, R., Ardiansyahmiraja, B., Persada, S. F., Belgiawan, P. F., Redi, A. A. N. P., & Lin, S.-C. (2020). The Measurement of University Students’ Intention to Use Blended Learning System through Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) at Developed and Developing Regions: Lessons Learned from Taiwan and Indonesia. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(9), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i09.11517
Nyimbili, F., & Nyimbili, L. (2024). Types of Purposive Sampling Techniques with Their Examples and Application in Qualitative Research Studies. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0419
Privana, R. H. (2021). FAKTOR PENENTU PEMBELIAN BAHAN BAKAR MINYAK (BBM) NON-SUBSIDI DI KOTA SURABAYA DENGAN THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOR [ITS]. repository.its.ac.id
Septiano, R., & Sari, L. (2021). DETERMINATION OF CONSUMER VALUE AND PURCHASE DECISIONS: ANALYSIS OF PRODUCT QUALITY, LOCATION, AND PROMOTION. Dinasti International Journal of Digital Business Management, 2(3), 482–498. https://doi.org/10.31933/dijdbm.v2i3.834
Sugiyono, S. (2020). Cara mudah menyusun Disertasi (5th ed.). Penerbit Alfabeta.
Sugiyono, S. (2022). Metode Penelitian Manajemen (1st ed.). Penerbit Alfabeta.
Sundar, A., & Cao, E. S. (2020). Punishing Politeness: The Role of Language in Promoting Brand Trust. Journal of Business Ethics, 164(1), 39–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-4060-6
Wahyu, H., & Nilo, L. (2021). Influence of Website Quality, Innovation, and Brand Trust on Customer Satisfaction of Embedded Website in Game Application. Ilkogretim Online, 20(3), 510–520. https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.03.51
YOO, H. (2021). Factors Related to Non-music Majors’ Intentions to Continue Participating in Ensembles: The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Contributions to Music Education, 46, 133–153.
Zaki, M. F. (2025). BRIN Offers Public Fuel Testing Amid Concerns Over Pertamina’s Product Quality. Tempo.Co. https://en.tempo.co/read/1983423/brin-offers-public-fuel-testing-amid-concerns-over-pertaminas-product-quality
Zhang, M., Li, L., & Bai, J. (2020). Consumer acceptance of cultured meat in urban areas of three cities in China. Food Control, 118, 107390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107390
Zollo, L., Filieri, R., Rialti, R., & Yoon, S. (2020). Unpacking the relationship between social media marketing and brand equity: The mediating role of consumers’ benefits and experience. Journal of Business Research, 117, 256–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.001
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fadillah Fadillah, Usep Suhud, Setyo Ferry Wibowo

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright :
Authors who publish their manuscripts in this journal agree to the following conditions:
- Copyright in each article belongs to the author.
- The author acknowledges that the GIJEA has the right to be the first to publish under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0).
- Authors can submit articles separately, arrange the non-exclusive distribution of manuscripts that have been published in this journal to other versions (for example, sent to the author's institutional repository, publication in a book, etc.), by acknowledging that the manuscript has been published for the first time at GIJEA.