In an era of post-truth, where opinions are misconstrued as facts, it is vital for both consumers and brand leaders to be more responsible in generating branded content so as to be more truthful and honest. Social media content allows brands to tell a brand story. Also contributing to this brand story is content created and shared by consumers (Rogers, 2015). It then becomes imperative for both users and brand leaders to create a brand story that would be close to the truth, while at the same time, nourishing the established relationships between brand and customer commitment to the brand.
Results of my recent research provides a preliminary model for the processes of social exchange theory in the context of social media use. Spending power of the consumers has the potential to either make or break a brand. It is ostensible that researchers may undertake further studies in order to achieve extensive knowledge on how the interplay of user engagement and brandloyalty is mediated by perceived costs and benefits, as well as other factors that impact brand content and online consumerism.
Jessica Rogers, PhD. 