Trust is a concept that has been widely studied in e-commerce since it represents a key issue in building successful customer-supplier relationships. In this sense, social software represents a powerful channel for establishing a direct communication with customers. As a consequence, companies are now investing in social media for building their social digital brand and strengthening relationships with their customers. In this paper we investigate the role of social media in the process of trust building, with particular attention to the case of small companies. Our findings show that social media contribute to build affective trust more than traditional websites, by fostering the affective commitment of customers.
Investigating the Effect of Social Media on Trust Building in Customer-Supplier Relationships
CALEFATO, FABIO;LANUBILE, Filippo;NOVIELLI, NICOLE
2014-01-01
Abstract
Trust is a concept that has been widely studied in e-commerce since it represents a key issue in building successful customer-supplier relationships. In this sense, social software represents a powerful channel for establishing a direct communication with customers. As a consequence, companies are now investing in social media for building their social digital brand and strengthening relationships with their customers. In this paper we investigate the role of social media in the process of trust building, with particular attention to the case of small companies. Our findings show that social media contribute to build affective trust more than traditional websites, by fostering the affective commitment of customers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
