Engaging Customers in Coproduction
Processes: How Value-Enhancing
and Intensity-Reducing
Communication Strategies Mitigate
the Negative Effects of
Coproduction Intensity
Coproduction offerings, in which customers engage in the production of goods and services, are ubiquitous (e.g.,
ready-to-assemble products, self-service technologies). However, although previous research has predominantly
identified beneficial aspects of coproduction in contrast to traditional firm production, the pivotal role of coproduction
intensity within coproduction processes has largely been neglected. Furthermore, little is known about strategies that
firms can employ to positively influence customers’ perceptions of coproduction processes. Drawing on a large field
experiment with 803 customers engaging in actual coproduction processes, the current study makes a first attempt to
address these research voids. The results show that coproduction intensity negatively affects customers’ satisfaction
with the coproduction process. Furthermore, the study offers first insights into how firms can mitigate these negative
effects by employing corporate communication strategies that either emphasize specific coproduction value
propositions (value-enhancing communication strategies) or highlight additional coproduction service supplements
(intensity-reducing communication strategies)