Data were gathered in several ways. We conducted netnography to observe the roles of consumers
on the TIA fan site. Netnography offers a research method to gain understanding of online
communities in their natural environment – online (Kozinets, 2002b, 2010; see also Giesler, 2006;
Mathwick et al., 2008). For example Avery (2007) has studied an independent consumer brand
community, namely Porsche automobile enthusiasts (much like the TIA fan site), focusing on how
consumers in that brand community use their chosen brand as an instrument to construct their
identity (who they are or who they are not). Additionally, Mathwick et al. (2008) have studied
social relationships by showing how consumers cement peer networks within brand communities
through the formation of online group norms. In this study, we adapt this inquiry technique to
investigate the roles played by consumers in consumer communities in order to demonstrate
nuances in the co-creation processes.