Online social networks (oSNS) enable users to construct strong relationships with friends, family, as well as strangers. They also enable users to share information concerning experiences and opinions about products, brands and companies via electronic word of mouth (eWOM). The unique nature of oSNS-eWOM relationship forms the basis of this research. The authors report the results of a research investigating six motivational factors for engaging in eWOM communication, investigated under three dimensions; producing, consuming and forwarding of content on oSNSs. Results reveal that eWOM production behavior on oSNS is mainly motivated by altruism, self enhancement, electronic social interaction and exhibitionism. The motivating factors of eWOM forwarding behavior showed up as electronic social interaction and exhibitionism, whereas the motivating factors for eWOM consumption behavior are altruism, electronic social interaction and need for intellectual engagement. Aversion of cognitive activities appeared to have a negative effect on consumption of eWOM communication.
TopIntroduction
Online social networks (oSNSs) are facing a rapid growth around the world. They help users build and maintain personal relationships with friends, family and as well as strangers (Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011). As a web based service oSNSs help individuals to construct a public profile, communicate with others and also to follow the content that is provided by other users (Boyd & Ellison, 2008). The main objective of SNS users is social interaction and connection with peers (Cheung, Chiu & Lee, 2010).
As a new construct oSNSs attract many researchers around the world. Most studies concerning oSNSs emphasize the motives behind the use (Bolar, 2009; Cheung, Chiu and Lee, 2010; Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011; Kraeuter et al., 2011; Lin & Lu, 2010; Peeling et al., 2009). People use and engage in oSNSs for many reasons. The most significant reasons are self-reflection (Bolar, 2009; Peeling et al., 2009), utility (Bolar, 2009; Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011; Lin & Lu, 2010), information seeking and gathering (Bolar, 2009; Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011), entertainment (Cheung, Chiu & Lee, 2010; Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011; Lin & Lu, 2010), peer influence (Bolar, 2009; Kraeuter et al., 2011), social enhancement (Cheung, Chiu, & Lee, 2010; Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011), social support (Kim, Sohn & Choi, 2011), and belongingness (Peeling et al., 2009). The motives behind the engagement with social networks also provide an insight about the eWOM communication of the users. Two of the most important motives concerning oSNS use and eWOM tendencies are seeking social support and fulfilling information needs(Kim, Sohn, & Choi, 2011).