In the conventional online communities such as chat systems, bulletin boards and listservers, users who actively provide information are considered valuable, while users who visit online communities just to collect information tend to be regarded as non-contributors. We propose that we should facilitate the latter group of users to turn into active information providers by introducing a novel f...

The general aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that students belonging to a school online community would show higher levels of both offline bridging and bonding social capital than a control group of students, not using the online community. We further hypothesized that the more students used the online community the higher their level of their offline bonding and bridging social cap...

This study extends the IT acceptance research by proposing an engagement model that supports acceptance and use of online social network systems. Using the proposed model, this research demonstrates that sponsors of online communities created through online social networks can increase the member engagement in these online communities. The primary contribution of this research is deepening insi...

Online community administrators are attempting to encourage their users to contribute knowledge and resources in order to provide value to members and ensure sustainability. A large number of online communities fail mainly due to the reluctance of users to share knowledge in them. Many studies on this topic have highlighted the importance of reciprocity for knowledge contribution. However, it i...

The paper describes a further development of the design of a motivational visualization encouraging participation in an online community. The new design overcomes shortcomings in previous designs, by using more attractive appearance of the graphic elements in the visualization, by giving up the largely unused in the previous design user customization options. The visualization integrates more i...

In this case study, results demonstrate that an individual’s use of social media as professional learning spans understanding, networking, professional identity development, and transformative learning. Specifically, virtual online communities facilitated through social media provide professional networks, social relationships and learning beyond the scope of the individual’s usual experience. ...

Online communities are creating a growing legacy of texts. These texts record conversation, knowledge exchange, and variation in topic and orientation as groups grow, mature, and decline; they represent a rich history of group interaction and an opportunity to explore the purpose and development of online communities. The problem is how to approach and make sense of the vast amount of data stor...

This study investigates the determinants and effects of virtual communities on the development of social relationships within the social network of cancer patients. Influencing factors on the formation of virtual relationships and their effect in the form of social assistance are researched. Following an explorative approach it is examined whether online communities meet their theoretical poten...

In terms of technological change and participatory media, the phenomenon of taking and sharing videos of live music events offers an insightful case study for discussing the individual production of online content and interpersonal interactions on social media sites. We use interviews with YouTube users who post videos of live music events to investigate motivations for the capture of personal ...

The paper studies social workers’ online communities of practice and presents the perceptions of their members about such online communities’ potential for establishing relationships and trust. The interviewees expressed three main clusters of reasons for why relationships and trust cannot be properly established and sustained through online communities of practice. These reasons involve genera...