Chinese Online Literature: Sustainability and Customers’ Value Co-creation on an Online Brand Platform
摘要
Chinese online literature, which has been thriving for over two decades, demonstrates remarkable vitality and economic potential. Conversely, Western discussions often overlook internet literature, focusing instead on experimental forms of electronic literature. Yet, Chinese internet literature transcends mere literary expression, it has evolved into a lucrative industry. While Western scholarship prioritizes cutting-edge forms, Chinese internet literature encompasses a vast array of works produced by passionate netizens, which form the foundation of its commercialization. Distinguished by its interactive nature, Chinese online literature emphasizes engagement between creators and consumers. The customers of online literature focus on experiential consumption over physical goods, facilitated by digital platforms, which can potentially lessen the environmental impact and contribute to the environmental dimension of sustainability. Drawing on service-dominant logic and actor–network theory, the current chapter discusses the significant role of digital platforms and technology in this phenomenon; interactive platforms are viewed as essential agents in creating new value within the realm of Chinese web fiction.