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In Search of the ‘Meta-Maven’: An Examination of Market Maven Behavior across Real-Life, Web and Virtual World Marketing Channels

Barnes, Stuart J., Pressey, Andrew D. (2012) In Search of the ‘Meta-Maven’: An Examination of Market Maven Behavior across Real-Life, Web and Virtual World Marketing Channels. Psychology & Marketing, 29 (3). pp. 167-185. ISSN 0742-6046. (doi:10.1002/mar.20513) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:34658)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mar.20513

Abstract

Recently, a new set of channels for consumer and business interaction have emerged—threedimensional “virtual” worlds. This study attempts to better understand the nature of market maven behavior (diffusers of general marketplace and shopping information) across three different channels—virtual worlds, the Web, and real-life—and to examine the extent to which market maven behavior is transferable across channel context (i.e., “fluid”) or channel dependent. Using data from two surveys (one in the virtual world “Second Life” and a follow-up Web survey for the same respondents), this paper explores differences and determinants of maven behavior. Employing

partial least squares analysis, the findings indicate that market maven propensity is transferable across channels (i.e., high-scoring market mavens retain this across channel). However, while there may be the transferability of market maven behavior across channels, the findings demonstrate that

maven propensity is influenced by the channel context. Consequently, individuals with high maven propensity tend to exhibit channels in which this behavior is more prominent. Therefore, market maven behavior might not only span general product categories, but also the channel itself (i.e.,

maven behavior remains fairly constant—or fluid—across channel). The findings also point to possible characteristics that may be used in the identification of market mavens: market mavens typically have greater cognizance of other mavens, are technology-savvy and individualistic, are of

either gender and tend to be older and more intensive and experienced users of Web platforms and also intensive users of virtual worlds than those with low maven propensity. The findings of the study contribute to understanding market maven behavior, and provide an insight into the practices of mavens in a multichannel context, particularly in the case of the emerging channels that are virtual worlds.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/mar.20513
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HA Statistics > HA33 Management Science
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Catherine Norman
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2013 10:36 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/34658 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Barnes, Stuart J..

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