Research

Online Communities: Surviving and Thriving in the Downturn Economy

19 Jan 2009

Full Report Available for Purchase

The Online Communities: Surviving & Thriving in the Downturn Economy survey was initiated in late November of 2008 and ran until the second week of December 2008. The intention of the study was to get a broad look at how the role of online community in organizations is being affected by the down economy, what effect the economy is having on community stakeholder’s attitudes, and what tactics community managers and strategists are employing to thrive during the downturn.

We received approximately 87 responses. Participants represent a healthy swath of the types of organizations participating in online community culture. Participating industry categories include: software companies, technology and non-tech manufacturers, media companies, non-profit organizations and independent consultants.

Key insights from the report include:

  • A large percentage of the respondents are Managers (46%)
  • Over a third of the participants belong to an online community that has existed for more than 5 years (36%). More than half of the respondents belong to an online community that has existed for less than 3 years (58%)
  • The three most affected areas of community operation *to date* (and projected to be affected in 2009) are:
    • Contractor Staffing
    • Platform Budget
    • Full Time Staffing
  • The majority of respondents will NOT be making any immediate changes to their online community staffing (71%)
  • The majority of respondents will NOT be making any immediate cuts on community infrastructure, features or services (84%)
  • 40% of the respondents said that their internal stakeholder’s attitudes have changed towards the value of the online community because of the current economic pressure.

 


Click the link below to download a complimentary summary of the full report. The summary includes limited statistics and data from the full report. Click the link above to purchase the full report.

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