VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE AND CONSUMPTION PRACTICES: A CASE OF TURKEY

Yıl 2011, Cilt: 3 Sayı: 1, 135 - 147, 01.06.2011

Elif Deniz Ayla Özhan Dedeoğlu

Öz

The present study aims to explore if virtual communities (VC) take the form of
communities of practice. It is also aimed to explore the role virtual communities
of practice (VCoPs) play in consumers’ identity and consumption practices.
Qualitative analysis of a VCoP revealed that it has the structural elements of
communities of practice. The community identity is based on the quest of
emancipation, adventure and being connected to the nature. Although the
community is not explicitly centered upon consumption-related interests, members
represent themselves socially within the context of consumption.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Virtual Communities of Practice, Consumption, Identity

Kaynakça

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