Characterized by connectivity, recent digital technologies have a significant effect on relationships between consumers and firms. Consumers rely on SNS to learn product and/or service information to decide what to purchase. In dealing with this change, some firms struggle to leverage SNS because it fundamentally changes the way marketing communications are executed. Previously, marketing departments planned and executed marketing communications with their prospects and customers. However, owing to connectively through recent digital technologies, everyone in firms can send a message to consumers. Therefore, decentralization of marketing communication roles plays critical roles in recent digital environment.

• Norio Imai(Hitotsubashi University, Japan)