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Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media

Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media

Imene Ben Yahia, Lilia El Ferci
Copyright: © 2016 |Pages: 17
ISBN13: 9781466694613|ISBN10: 1466694610|EISBN13: 9781466694620
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9461-3.ch045
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MLA

Ben Yahia, Imene, and Lilia El Ferci. "Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media." Politics and Social Activism: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, edited by Information Resources Management Association, IGI Global, 2016, pp. 884-900. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-9461-3.ch045

APA

Ben Yahia, I. & El Ferci, L. (2016). Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media. In I. Management Association (Ed.), Politics and Social Activism: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 884-900). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-9461-3.ch045

Chicago

Ben Yahia, Imene, and Lilia El Ferci. "Exploring Consumer Empowerment in Consumption Communities Based in Social Media." In Politics and Social Activism: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications, edited by Information Resources Management Association, 884-900. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2016. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-9461-3.ch045

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Abstract

In spite of the keen interest in empowerment, few authors have applied the concept to the characteristics of the Internet. This paper approaches it within consumption communities based in social media and explores its effects on consumers' behaviors towards firms. A participant observation was carried out and has lasted one year and a half in two consumption communities based in Facebook. Additionally, distant in-depth interviews have been conducted. Results give evidence for the existence of consumer empowerment online and highlight its complex multidimensional structure. Four dimensions are identified: informational, technological, social, and psychological. Results also underline that empowered consumers assess firms and call to reward some and to boycott others (1); negotiate to get better offerings (2) and demand cooperation (3).

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