However, product recommendations
may also stem from reviews written by consumers about the quality of
products based on personal experiences with the products (hereafter called “consumer
reviews” [CRs]). Due to their high level of acceptance among consumers, different
types of information technology (IT)–enabled PRs and CRs—defined in this paper as
different types of online product recommendations (OPRs)—are becoming increasingly
available on Web sites to provide customers with shopping assistance, improve
their decision quality, and help buyers and sellers reduce information overload [69].
It is noteworthy that the role of OPRs is important for both consumers and suppliers,
as they represent a critical encounter tool for value co‑creation [109]. It is estimated
that at least 43 percent of e‑commerce Web sites already offer PRs and CRs [36].
However, and although the number of different forms of OPRs on e‑commerce Web
sites has exploded in recent years, there is still confusion about PRs’ and CRs’ isolated
effectiveness and about their differential effects on users’ beliefs and behavior.