Social Influence Analysis in Online Travel Communities

We propose a framework that integrates network analysis techniques as well as methods for social influence analysis of both static and dynamic networks. In the context of Web-based travel communities, this framework could lead to deeper insights on how members of such a community are influenced by others. First, we discuss the important role of the Web and of social media in today´s tourism landscape. To understand Web-related phenomena a theoretical framework is needed that is able to capture those dynamics. Based on the state-of-the-art, we then introduce our conceptual and methodological approach. Expected results are on the one hand concrete statements about online travel communities and on the other hand a classification of methods related to network and social influence analysis.