Abstract
This research investigates the behavioural effects of firms’ online activeness in influencing customer engagement in word-of-mouth communications. Using a large-scale field dataset of hotel reviews and managerial responses, this study empirically examines firm responsiveness in relationship to community members’ participation in the online review posting. Novel findings are reported that response volume and speed are important for effecting firm–customer interactions. This highlights a firm-leading influence on customers’ word-of-mouth behaviour by identifying firm engagement as a motivational driver of customer engagement. It offers implications for researchers and practitioners with regard to social media marketing, in particular firm engaging in the online communication network by acting in an active and prompt manner.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 40-51 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Journal of Interactive Marketing |
| Volume | 46 |
| Early online date | 20 Mar 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2019 |
Structured keywords
- MGMT Operations and Management Science
- MGMT theme Innovation and Digitalisation
Keywords
- Customer engagement behaviour
- Customer reviews
- Firm engagement
- Online managerial responses
- Social media marketing