Consuming the Social

How has the relationship between consumer & corporation and customer/business changed?

The relationship between consumer and corporation and customer/business has changed because people are starting to realize that they have the power to deny what companies do when they are selling the products. In one of my class that I had last year, I professor discussed that we have moved in a relationship era, where consumers have the opportunity to build relationships with sale associates. Companies innovate their own products based on what the consumer would want in their product. Even though the majority of what people buy is a product made by a manufacturer, people are starting to realize that they do not have to buy one certain product. People have the choice.  

How many people in the class actively review products & services?

Personally, I do review certain products and services. Usually it is for video games from like EB games and supplements from Herc's. I usually review about what people have said about the products and what critics say about it. It does help me on whether or not I want to purchase that product.



Gamification & Social Media – In what ways is social media shaping user behaviours for consumption?

I think that gaming is making social media more competitive because they are constantly are trying to reward people whenever they are online. And it makes consuming more easier, though it does become addicting, and we do not even know it. So I believe that user behavior is very competitive because there are so many choices to make, and we only have one of them, and that choice does affect our future purchases.

User Reviews – What is the new role of consumer in the consumption process?

Today, the consumption process is more about comparing and critique about the service than the actual product. Products today are becoming more and more similar, but it is based on the price and what company has the better deal. I think that the consumer process is not about yes or no about buying a product. You are going into a store no matter what, knowing that you are going to buy a product, it is just based on which product you buy.

Do these examples challenge or reinforce theory of culture industries?

I believe that it challenges the culture industries because people are always critiquing a product or service and it does affect the way people behaviors are when looking into buying a product. As moving into a relationship era, it is up to companies to create a loyalty with their customers and be able to show that they can maintain that relationship with the quality of their products and service. Examples such as reviews and promotions within a store does help a consumer process their buying process much easier, but it truly up to how a company can create a loyalty with a customer through communicate, that will show if the customers comes back or not.