How to deal with negative electronic Word-of-Mouth?

Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject Business economics - Marketing, Corporate Communication, CRM, Market Research, Social Media, grade: 1,7, University of Münster, language: English, abstract: In today's virtual era, the power of word-of-mouth has grown dramatically. Online customer-to-customer articulations have been proven to impact consumer attitudes and behavior and have therefore direct impact on a product's success and a company's performance. The aim of this paper is to approach a response to the question how companies should deal with negative electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM). After a brief introduction to prior research of eWOM and its valence, the development and consequences of negative online articulations will be dis-cussed. Following the relevant eWOM and company parameters are identified that determine the impact of negative eWOM on a brand. The first step in approaching a response decision which is tracing and measuring online articulations is ex-plained and resulting coping strategies in form of direct and indirect reactions to negative eWOM are illustrated. Finally, the paper explains how companies can guard against negative eWOM.