Abstract

Considering the conversational transmission of a specific topic in human circles as a word-of-mouth (WOM)
network, we enumerate two hypotheses. First, the structure of a WOM network is strongly related to the network
members’ behavioral tendency concerning the topic of WOM communication. Second, if new information is
acquired by some network members, it will be spread in the network. In this research, to verify these hypotheses,
we conduct questionnaire surveys of two communities of students in a university, and we investigate members’
conversational relations on the topic of eating-out destinations. To understand the WOM networks, we propose
some indexes—n-density, effective edge rate of word-of-mouth, and others—and the spread rate of new
information is evaluated based on the results. The results will be used as preliminary data for activation of
downtown Kiryu City, including restaurants.

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