Mobile-based value co-creation : contextual factors towards customer experiences

Abstract

Purpose: Collecting information from and interacting with customers through mobile platforms for personalization purposes have become a trend. While mobile-based value co-creation has attracted wide research attention, a noticeable gap exists regarding what might potentially affect the firm–customer interaction process through which value is co-created. This paper aims to explore how customers exchange information and communicate with firms through mobile applications for value co-creation purposes in a travel context. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a constructivist research paradigm, this study adopted a qualitative research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed following narrative analysis approach. Findings: The findings highlight the contextual factors (individual characteristics, trip characteristics and computer-mediated communication characteristics) that facilitate and inhibit the firm–customer interaction process. Practitioners are suggested to put more efforts on creating stimuli for interactions and managing customer expectation. Research limitations/implications: This study goes beyond technology adoption and focuses on customers’ post-adoption stage. The findings shed light on the important role of the service provider in facilitating effective interactions for value co-creation with customers. Originality/value: This study focuses on the interaction process, rather than the antecedents and outcomes of mobile-based value co-creation. It contributes empirical evidence on how customers co-create value and why some situations present better opportunities for successful value co-creation. 目的 : 通过移动资讯科技平台收集客户信息并与客户互动从而提供个性化服务和体验已成为一种趋势。 尽管基于移动资讯科技的价值共创已经吸引了广泛的研究关注, 但是什么潜在因素可能会影响企业与客户为了共创价值而进行的互动的过程仍未被确定。这项研究探讨客户如何在旅行环境中透过移动应用程式与服务提供商交换信息和进行交流, 以实现价值共创的目的。 研究设计/方法 : 本研究基于建构主义研究范式, 采用了定性研究设计。通过半结构化访谈收集数据, 并根据叙述分析方法进行数据分析。 调查结果 : 调查结果突出了有助于和抑制企业与客户透过移动科技互动的情境因素（个人特征、行程特征和电脑媒介传播特征）, 建议业界人士在促进互动和管理客户期望方面付出更多的努力。 独创性 : 本研究关注企业和客户的互动过程, 而非着重于价值共创的前提和结果。它提供了经验性证据解释客户如何与企业共创价值, 以及为什么某些情况为成功实现价值共创提供更好的机会。 研究意义 : 有别于过去着重探讨影响技术采用因素的研究, 本研究关注客户的采用后阶段。调查结果阐明了服务提供商在促进与客户进行有效互动从而与客户共创价值的重要角色。