Item Type |
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
|
Abstract |
Knowledge seeking is the default activity in online communities and therefore important for their functioning. Existing research studies on why members seek knowledge overlook other factors than a simple need for knowledge, resulting in an extremely narrow body of knowledge. We propose that a need for advice can increase knowledge seeking and is further shaped by perceptions of reciprocity, self-esteem, and identification with the community. By surveying 186 respondents from 34 large online communities and applying OLS regression analyses, we find that knowledge seeking is driven by need for advice and identification, but not reciprocity. The results further show that members with high self-esteem seek less knowledge. Yet, the decision to seek knowledge depends on the level of self-esteem and this is predicted by need for advice. Our results contribute to the currently sparse body on knowledge seeking and add to the realization of necessary design attributes of online communities. |
Authors |
Gerken, Maike; Bretschneider, Ulrich & Hülsbeck, Marcel |
Research Team |
IWI6 |
Language |
English |
Keywords |
knowledge seeking, online communities, self-esteem, identification, need for advice |
Subjects |
information management |
HSG Classification |
contribution to scientific community |
Date |
18 December 2019 |
Title of Book |
Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS 2019) |
Event Title |
International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS 2019) |
Event Location |
Munich, Germany |
Event Dates |
15-18 Dec 2019 |
ISBN |
978-0-9966831-9-7 |
Official URL |
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2019/general_topics/g... |
Depositing User |
Mahei Li
|
Date Deposited |
20 Jan 2021 12:10 |
Last Modified |
24 Jan 2021 14:47 |
URI: |
https://www.alexandria.unisg.ch/publications/262070 |