Summary: | 碩士 === 國立政治大學 === 資訊管理研究所 === 100 === A reward system is a diverse and popular program implemented by many firms in various circumstances to motivate customers’ behavior for frequent and loyal patronage. With the evolving diversity of electronic platforms (e-platforms), more dynamic, cost-effective, and interactive electronic rewards (e-rewards) have been developed as a tool or strategy to retain customers and encourage frequent visits to the platform. For instance, Facebook uses virtual currency to gain user participation. Dropbox uses bonus storage to increase membership and prolong service usage. Myspace uses virtual badges to encourage achievement of specific goals in order to encourage frequent visits. The rewards on e-platforms can range from real items such as cash and discounts, to virtual recognition that enhances self-esteem. These strategies differ from those used by enterprises dealing with face-to-face customers. As variant services on e-platforms have emerged, little research has been done to understand the novel concept and effects of reward systems on e-platforms. Therefore, we propose a taxonomy of e-rewards based on forms of motivation and degree of interactivity. Using content analysis, we examined the world’s 1,000 most accessed Web sites, then, we conducted expert interviews to classifying the 228 e-rewards approaches, discovered from content reviews, into four types of e-rewards: material, prestige, gratification, and affinity. Finally, we propose practical recommendations with insights on the implementation of each type of e-reward systems on e-platform services. We hope that the findings will provide a basis for further study on various impacts of reward systems, and provide a guide for managers in designing and implementing more effective reward systems on e-platforms.
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