Converting virtual community members into online buyers.
Although many online vendors have sponsored virtual communities (VCs) in the hope of reaping commercial benefits from it, not many have been successful in reaping commercial benefits from their VC. Online vendors can benefit greatly from having a VC, if the VC members can be converted into online buyers. This study examines the conversion of a VC member into an online buyer. Using a classical-conditioning approach, this study finds that members' committed participation in the VC is the springboard for online vendors to convert VC members into online buyers.
Gupta
Sumeet
S
Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Management and Technology, Bhilai, India.
Kim
Hee-Woong
HW
Shin
Seon-Jin
SJ
D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003132:Commerce / Q000379:methods*; D019058:Community Networks; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D014584:User-Computer Interface