E-Consumerism as a Tool for Empowerment

I have found an interesting paper regarding Consumer Empowerment with Title
"E-Consumerism as a Tool for Empowerment"in the internet. The authors of the paper have defined the e-consumerism as "actions of consumers or their agents to protect and promote consumer interest and seek empowerment in the context of the electronic market place". The paper has also divided consuemr purchasing cycle in the context of E-consumerism in three sections. They are E-Consumerism in the Pre-purchase Stage of Consumption, E-Consumerism in the Purchase Stage of Consumption, E-Consumerism in the Post Purchase Stage of Consumption. The authors have recommended creating "Conumer Networks" among consumers through e-mail and discussion lists, Usenet, Bulleti Board Systems (BBS) and chat rooms. By doing so, consumers can empower themselves as well as become countervailing power against sellers. Thus consumers will be benefitted from the immensed power of internet which has brought great opportunity for consumers to become guiding force in the e-business.

http://www-agecon.ag.ohio-state.edu/programs/e-agbiz/pagepapersandpres/papers_presentations/jce.pdf