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Social layers of customer-to-customer value co-creation

Rihova, Ivana; Buhalis, Dimitrios; Moital, Miguel; Gouthro, Mary Beth

Authors

Dimitrios Buhalis

Miguel Moital

Mary Beth Gouthro



Contributors

Kristina Heinonen, Maria Holmlund, Tore Stra
Editor

Abstract

Purpose – Approached from the customer-dominant (C-D) logic perspective, this paper aims to extend current value co-creation discussions by providing conceptual insights into co-creation within customers' social sphere. Focusing on socially dense contexts in which customers consume together in dyads or collectives, the paper seeks to provide recommendations of how service managers can facilitate customer-to-customer (C2C) co-creation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper bridges current thinking on value within the C-D logic with service management perspectives on C2C interactions and social science concepts on consumer communities. Examples from literature and practice are drawn on in the discussion. Findings – The proposed framework reveals C2C co-creation as a dynamic, multi-layered process that is embedded in customers' social contexts. Value emerges in four distinctive social layers: “detached customers”, “social bubble”, “temporary communitas” and “ongoing neo-tribes”. Research limitations/implications – This paper is conceptual. Further validation of the framework in a variety of socially dense consumption settings is needed, using field-based qualitative methods such as participant observation and interviews. Practical implications – Awareness of the multi-layered nature of C2C co-creation and specific practices in which value is formed provides service managers with opportunities to create value propositions that help facilitate such co-creation. Service managers across various sectors benefit from understanding how customers can be “nudged” into more socially immersive co-creation layers. Originality/value – The paper contributes by introducing a C2C co-creation perspective, conceptualizing the social layers within which value is formed, and providing specific propositions to service managers with regard to servicescape structuring and other strategies that facilitate C2C co-creation.

Citation

Rihova, I., Buhalis, D., Moital, M., & Gouthro, M. B. (2013). Social layers of customer-to-customer value co-creation. Journal of Service Management, 24(5), 553-566. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-04-2013-0092

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 25, 2013
Publication Date 2013
Deposit Date Aug 3, 2016
Journal Journal of Service Management
Print ISSN 1757-5818
Publisher Emerald
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 5
Pages 553-566
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JOSM-04-2013-0092
Keywords Customer-dominant logic, Customer-to-customer, Shared consumption, Value co-creation
Public URL http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/324085