Communication and online business opportunities in virtual environment: Second Life Online publication date: Wed, 20-Aug-2014
by Sharma Gajendra; Qiang Ye; Wenjun Sun; Lu Qi
International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC), Vol. 8, No. 2, 2012
Abstract: Second Life is a computer mediated 3D virtual world imagined and created by its residents. Virtual world is a simulated environment where residents can interact with each other through different communication media. The purpose of this study is to investigate why people communicate in Second Life and the importance of communication to generate real business value. The major theoretical backgrounds used in this study were the communication theory and social systems, theory of intrinsic motivation and word of mouth communications. A case study from Second Life users in the form of online interview was performed to learn communication behaviour of people, their attitude towards communication technology and experience of performing online business. The result was focused on effectiveness and superiority of web 2.0 communication and its effect on real world companies and organisations. The outcome of the findings has real world implication for policy makers, managers and leaders with respect to sharing information and decision making.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook