Our largely exploratory research has inherent methodological
limitations. The practical demands of the field study
constrained our ability to examine quantitatively many of the
relevant issues on which this research touches. We have, however,
identified directions for the development of measurement
scales. There is a need to further develop and refine instruments
that measure the relationships of brand community and
integration within it. Within any product category, it should
also be possible to create an index of IBC to facilitate the diagnosis
of opportunities for building brand community. We posit
that any brand community, weak or strong, exists somewhere
on the continua of geotemporal concentration, richness of
social context, and overlap with other communities and that
the brand’s position on these continua can be influenced.
Our research also touches on issues that would especially
benefit from the types of insights marketers have
sought from qualitative research (see Levy 1981; Winick
1961). It would be valuable to examine, for example, what
characteristics lead consumers to value brand community
and participate in communal activities (cross-cultural
research might be of particular interest). Further research
might also be directed toward the executional elements of
brandfests that are most effective in cultivating a given
brand community. For example, our research indicates the
importance of designing events with a focus on socializing
neophytes while offering special recognition to those who
are already the most integrated in the community. It would
also be valuable to examine circumstances that may lead to
defection from the community or conflict within it and
explore the implications of such issues to community vitality
and potential impacts on brand positioning or brand
equity.