The importance of eWOM (electronic word-of-mouth) communication through online communities is increasing on a daily basis. This study analyzed how the relationship between eWOM (electronic Word-Of-Mouth) factor and eWOM communication depends on the cultural orientation of users in the online community. The research model was developed based on four cultural orientations of individual affect Social tie and usefulness. The model consists of variables such as social tie and perceived usefulness as predecessors of eWOM, four dimensions of cultural orientation (Horizontal Individualism, Horizontal Collectivism, Vertical Individualism, Vertical Collectivism), and eWOM. The model was tested empirically using the PLS (partial least squares) structure equation model. Survey was conducted for online community users in South Korea. Data was statistically validated whether fits on research model. The study results reveal that Social Tie have a positive effect on Perceived Usefulness. Social Tie and Perceived Usefulness have a positive effect on eWOM. 3 of cultural orientations (HC, VI, VC) have a positive effect on Social Tie. Only one of cultural orientations (HC) have an negative effect on Perceived Usefulness. Especially, horizontal collectivism (HC) shows strong correlation with perceived usefulness, whereas vertical collectivism (VC) shows weak correlation with perceived usefulness andvertical individualism (VI) shows strongly correlation with social tie, whereas horizontal individualism (HI) shows weak correlation with social tie. Based on the study results, customized service strategy could be formulated according to the different vertical styles and various eWOM factors.

1. Introduction
 2. Literature Review
  2.1 Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) in OnlineCommunity
  2.2 Cultural Orientation
  2.3 Social Tie and eWOM
  2.4 Perceived Usefulness and eWOM
 3. Methodology
  3.1 The Survey Procedure
  3.2 The Questionnaire
  3.3 The Sample Demographics
 4. Results
  4.1 Measurement Model Analysis
  4.2 Structural Model Analysis
 5 Discussion and Conclusion
  5.1 Discussion
  5.2 Contributions and Limitations
 References

• Seongho Park(GALEB & COMPANY) | 박성호
• Pansoo Kim(School of Business Administration, Kyungpook National Univer) | 김판수 Corresponding Author