Conclusion
This study provides insights into how consumers co-create value via interaction, within the context
of brand communities. We have shown that consumers play dynamic roles in the value co-creation
process by acting as providers and beneficiaries, thereby co-creating value for themselves, for
brand communities, and for organizations. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that coconsuming
groups or brand communities can be seen as workshops that enable consumers to
co-create value. Thus, although it has been argued that double exploitation is a threat to value creation
(Cova and Dalli, 2009), we contend that under some circumstances this form of consumer
work activates a potential for consumer empowerment. Our study reveals that double exploitation
within brand communities may initiate continuous learning processes among members, which help
to strengthen and unify the community as a whole, and provide resources to challenge brand managers
and owners. As seen from the discussion above, this learning process occurs as consumers
interact with each other – chatting, debating, posting, and sharing knowledge. The learning process
may, in turn, help to nurture and even protect brands – since consumers are increasingly encouraged
to contribute to the culture, myths, and histories of brands they consume.