*3.2. Interaction*

Interaction also plays a key role in developing virtual social networks where communications take place thorough computers or devices [49]. Online social interaction propensity is defined as the general tendency of a member to interact in an online environment with people they have not met in person. Blazevic et al. noted that it is an individual trait

that differentiates individuals with regard to their predisposition to interact with others on online communities [50]. Therefore, members of these communities can be classified according to their presence (posters) or lack of willingness (lurkers) to engage in online interactions with others on these platforms [51]. Wiertz et al. showed that if customers are prone to interact online, they tend to make more insightful contributions, thus this variable is a crucial attribute in relation to online community members' participative behavior [52]. Dessart showed a positive relationship between online interaction propensity and some behaviors [53]. Therefore, online interaction propensity may strengthen the influence of opinion leadership on those variables that involve online communication [54]. In summary, we propose hypothesis H2.

**Hypothesis 2 (H2).** *The more actively a member interacts online, the more other members will establish a relationship with him/her and the more likely he/she is to become an opinion leader.*
