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Virtual communities: A marketing perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Kristine de Valck

    (GREGH - Groupement de Recherche et d'Etudes en Gestion à HEC - HEC Paris - Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Gerrit H. van Bruggen
  • Berendt Wierenga

Abstract

Increasingly, consumers interact through the Internet to share their knowledge, experiences, and opinions. Consequently, 'word-of-mouse' has become a significant market force that influences consumer decision-making. On the basis of extensive quantitative and qualitative research, the authors sketch how consumers make use of virtual communities as social and information networks, and how this affects their decision-making processes. We present three studies that address (i) determinants and effects of virtual community influence on the consumer decision process; (ii) virtual community participation patterns; and (iii) discussion practices of the most active community members. Key implications for managers, marketers, and market researchers are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristine de Valck & Gerrit H. van Bruggen & Berendt Wierenga, 2009. "Virtual communities: A marketing perspective," Post-Print hal-00458421, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-00458421
    DOI: 10.1016/j.dss.2009.02.008
    as

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