Understanding online community effectiveness: The efficacy of integrating group development and social capital theories

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A major challenge in fostering online communities is developing and sustaining communities. This paper integrates social capital and group development theories in order to derive a framework that seeks to explain why some online communities prosper, while others decline and perish. Four facets of social capital - network structure, identification, obligations, and shared vision - are proposed to moderate the relationship between online community development, developmental processes, and effectiveness. It is suggested that online communities who lack a common stock of social capital are more inclined to follow the stage model of group development. In contrast, online communities that have optimal levels of social capital are more likely to follow the punctuated equilibrium model of group development. The paper concludes with implications for theory and practice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAssociation for Information Systems - 13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007
Subtitle of host publicationReaching New Heights
Pages2428-2437
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2007
Event13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007 - Keystone, CO, United States
Duration: Aug 10 2007Aug 12 2007

Publication series

NameAssociation for Information Systems - 13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007: Reaching New Heights
Volume4

Other

Other13th Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2007
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKeystone, CO
Period8/10/078/12/07

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Information Systems
  • Library and Information Sciences

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