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Co-creation Through Technology: Dimensions of Social Connectedness

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Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2014

Abstract

With the increasing mobility and the emergence of social information and communication technologies, the tourist has turned into a connected consumer. In using the range of technologies available, tourists are now able to connect with their social circles to engage, share and co-create their tourist experiences online. While the significance of co-creation has been widely recognised, there is a major gap in understanding on what levels technology-facilitated co-creation can occur. This paper therefore aims to uncover the dimensions of social connectedness and develop a differentiated knowledge of how exactly tourists co-create through ICTs. The findings reveal six distinct dimensions that can be positioned on a social intensity continuum, ranging from disconnection to social co-living of the experience. In revealing social connectedness to everyday life and the home environment, this study highlights key implications for the existing theoretical understanding of tourist experience portrayed as a reversal from of the everyday life. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. eTourismLab, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

    Barbara Neuhofer, Dimitrios Buhalis & Adele Ladkin

Authors
  1. Barbara Neuhofer
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  2. Dimitrios Buhalis
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  3. Adele Ladkin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara Neuhofer .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA

    Zheng Xiang

  2. Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington, USA

    Iis Tussyadiah

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Neuhofer, B., Buhalis, D., Ladkin, A. (2013). Co-creation Through Technology: Dimensions of Social Connectedness. In: Xiang, Z., Tussyadiah, I. (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism 2014. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03973-2_25

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