Through a Glass Darkly: Information Technology Design, Identity Verification, and Knowledge Contribution in Online Communities.

Author List: Ma, Meng; Agarwal, Ritu;
Information Systems Research, 2007, Volume 18, Issue 1, Page 42-67.
A variety of information technology (IT) artifacts, such as those supporting reputation management and digital archives of past interactions, are commonly deployed to support online communities. Despite their ubiquity, theoretical and empirical research investigating the impact of such IT-based features on online community communication and interaction is limited. Drawing on the social psychology literature, we describe an identity-based view to understand how the use of IT-based features in online communities is associated with online knowledge contribution. Specifically, the use of four categories of IT artifacts--those supporting virtual co-presence, persistent labeling, self-presentation, and deep profiling--is proposed to enhance perceived identity verification, which thereafter promotes satisfaction and knowledge contribution. To test the theoretical model, we surveyed more than 650 members of two online communities. In addition to the positive effects of community IT artifacts on perceived identity verification, we also find that perceived identity verification is strongly linked to member satisfaction and knowledge contribution. This paper offers a new perspective on the mechanisms through which IT features facilitate computer-mediated knowledge sharing, and it yields important implications for the design of the supporting IT infrastructure.
Keywords: computer-mediated communication and collaboration; design of IT infrastructure; online communities; perceived identity verification; questionnaire surveys
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#116 0.200 research study influence effects literature theoretical use understanding theory using impact behavior insights examine influences mechanisms specifically context perspective findings
#45 0.179 community communities online members participants wikipedia social member knowledge content discussion collaboration attachment communication law virtual membership structures forms activities
#259 0.176 identity norms identification symbolic community help sense european social important verification set identities form obtained properties deterioration mixed match emphasis
#245 0.124 knowledge sharing contribution practice electronic expertise individuals repositories management technical repository knowledge-sharing shared contributors novelty features peripheral share benefit seekers
#42 0.076 perceived results study field individual support effects microcomputer pressure external usefulness test psychological obligations characteristics variables indicate existence availability investigating
#16 0.064 infrastructure information flexibility new paper technology building infrastructures flexible development human creating provide despite challenge possible resources specific advances developing