Factors influencing information and knowledge sharing in virtual communities: a systematic literature review

Purpose Knowledge sharing is essential for the management and long-term sustainability of virtual communities (VCs). Although previous research has examined the factors that influence knowledge sharing in VCs, it has not determined whether their influence is equal across the different types of VCs. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the influence of personal and contextual factors on knowledge sharing in two different types of VCs (VCs of interest and virtual learning communities). Design/methodology/approach A survey methodology was employed to collect data. The authors obtained 261 valid responses through an online survey distributed to various VCs of interest and virtual learning communities. Most respondents (73.95%) were aged between 21 and 30 years, were female (66.67%) and were enrolled in university programs (56.32%). Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the study’s hypotheses. Findings The results show that the type of VC moderates the positive influence of knowledge-sharing self-efficacy and perceived relative advantage on knowledge sharing. More specifically, the influence of self-efficacy on knowledge sharing is stronger in VCs of interest, whereas the influence of perceived relative advantage is stronger in virtual learning communities. Moreover, the influence of social identification on knowledge sharing is similar in both types of VCs. The authors also found that the norm of reciprocity has a nonsignificant influence on both types of VC. Originality/value The authors contribute to previous research on the effects of personal and contextual factors on knowledge-sharing models by highlighting the influential role of the type of VC.

Virtual communities (VCs) have become essential in current organizations and society, and so their sustainability is a topic of interest for researchers and practitioners. We focus on the sense of virtual community (SoVC) and commitment as relevant antecedents in achieving the success and maintenance of different types of VCs (communities of interest, virtual learning communities, and VCs of practice). Specifically, this study examines a moderated mediation model in which the type of VC moderates the indirect effect of a SoVC on the intention to continue through the perceived commitment of the users of the VC. The sample consists of 299 members of VCs. The results showed that SoVC influenced the intention to continue via commitment to VCs. Additionally, the relationship between SoVC and commitment was higher for communities of interest and virtual learning communities than for VCs of practice. This article contributes to previous literature by identifying the importance of participants’ engagement and the contingent effect of the type of community. Implications of the study and directions for future research are discussed.

Introduction. Modern educational space, as well as socialisation, exists in the framework of two interrelated components: the real (material) and virtual (digital) world. Adolescent self-realisation takes place in this mixed, or hybrid, space employing its means. One of them is virtual communities, i.e. communities existing on the platforms of digital resources, using digital devices, information and communication technologies. According to forecasts related to the near future, interaction in communities through ones digital counterparts and artificial intelligence will become a prerequisite for successful performance. However, teachers, having no experience of growing up in the conditions of the unfolding digital world, cannot always objectively assess the role of its factors and apply them as means of education. Aim. The present research aimed to investigate the influence of virtual communities on adolescent self-realization, to determine the conditions that guarantee positive influence and, thus, to validate and justify the pedagogical guidelines that will foster constructive interaction in virtual communities. Methodology and research methods. The study was based on the cultural-historical theory by L. S. Vygotsky. According to it, virtual communities are considered as a way of self-realization for adolescents in the context of digital society culture. Through virtual communities an adolescent undergoes socialization in a mixed environment in the course of his/her own activities and interaction with representatives of certain cultures. The constructive approach sets a course to identify the principles of teaching staff support for the subsequent teenagers’ successful usage of this tool. Data collection was carried out in the form of an online survey using the Yandex Forms Internet service in 2022. 2996 school students of the Chelyabinsk region aged from 13 to 17 years took part in the survey. The authors employed the methods of mathematical data processing: Somers’ D-test, Kramer’s V-test, CHAID (Chi Squared Automatic Interaction Detection) analysis. Results. The majority of teenagers (87 %) are involved in various types of virtual communities (educational, cognitive, and entertaining). The participation in virtual communities has a direct relation to involvement in different types of activities and respective satisfaction with self-realization. It generally implies being involved in several types of virtual communities, spending moderate amount of time in virtual communities, participating in virtual learning societies. Virtual communities have undeniable educational potential. The realization of this potential ensures constructive interaction and self-realization of adolescents, and requires pedagogical support. Scientific novelty. It is proved that virtual communities influence adolescent self-realization. The article determines the conditions of the constructive virtual community influence on adolescent self-realization. The research also substantiates the pedagogical principles, which guarantee the educational potential fulfillment (polysubjectivity, productive online-offline interaction, and proactivity). Moreover, the article established that the strategy of digital educational transformation should set a course to the transition from ensuring accessibility and security in a virtual environment to managing virtual communities for the purpose of the self-development and self-realization. Practical significance. The research outcomes may be applied for the development of educational programmes and the implementation of educational activity in the realities of a digital world.

The e-learning system might remove the limitation of learning time and space and offer more learning opportunities. Knowledge-based virtual communities formed in e-learning platform are collaborative groups developed for creating new knowledge. However, it is difficult to choose and introduce the appropriate virtual community, owing to characteristics of intrinsic ambiguity and lack of evaluating methods. In this paper, we propose a feasible appraising framework based on fuzzy AHP to decide the sustainability of various types of virtual communities under e-learning platform in university. To validate this framework, a case study was conducted to demonstrate the analysis processes and results. Data of pairwise comparison for fuzzy AHP were collected by questionnaires. The results indicate that the virtual community of group forum possesses highest priority, the next is course forum, and the lowest is online discussion forum. Thus, the instructors could allocate resource to develop various types of virtual community according to their priority.

A fast–growing stream of literature has shown tremendous interests in the 'wisdom of crowds', embedded in various forms of Virtual Communities (VCs). However, it difficult to design an appropriate governance structure for VCs because: (1) it is not clear what governance exactly is in VCs; (2) our knowledge on how key governance mechanisms differ among various types of VCs is limited to date; (3) the variation patterns of governance mechanisms are far from fully explored to guide the design of governance in VCs. Therefore, this paper seeks to propose a working definition for governance in VCs, illustrate how governance mechanisms differ in various types of VCs, and explore testable variation patterns of governance mechanisms. We categorise various types of VCs, building on two unique dimensions: how and with whom VC participants exchange information. Several design principles are proposed to underpin the theoretical and practical implications of our research endeavour.

Knowledge sharing is a critical issue in information-rich and knowledge-intensive industry e.g. healthcare industry. The collaborative group of Knowledge-based virtual communities is a way for promote knowledge sharing, which might improve the performance of organizations in competitive environment. However, it is difficult to choose and introduce the appropriate knowledge-based virtual community, owing to characteristics of intrinsic ambiguity and lack of evaluating methods. In this paper, we propose a feasible appraising approach based on fuzzy AHP to decide the sustainability priority of various types of virtual communities in healthcare industry. In order to validate this framework, a case study was conducted to demonstrate the analysis processes and results. Data of pair-wise comparison for fuzzy AHP were collected by questionnaires. The results indicate that community of practice possesses highest priority, the next is e-learning community, and the lowest is ordinary forum. Thus, the managers of healthcare could allocate resource to develop various types of knowledge-based virtual communities according to their priority.

Handbook of Research on Methods and Techniques for Studying Virtual Communities: Paradigms and Phenomena satisfies the need for methodological consideration and tools for data collection, analysis and presentation in virtual communities. Chapters cover studies on various types of virtual communities, making this reference a comprehensive source of research for those in the social sciences and humanities. Additionally, the book supports executives and corporate leaders concerned with the management of expertise, social capital, competence knowledge, and information and organizational development in different types of virtual communities and environments.

PurposeThe importance of virtual communities is growing day by day, since consumers are increasingly using online tools to share ideas and contact fellow consumers. For this reason, the purpose of this paper, which is based on relational capital theory, is to analyze what factors determine the consumer commitment to a virtual community.Design/methodology/approachA positive effect of trust in a virtual community on commitment to the community is suggested. In addition, some antecedents of trust placed in a virtual community are proposed. After the validations of measurement scales the hypotheses are contrasted through structural modelling.FindingsThe data show that trust placed in a virtual community has a positive and significant effect on consumers' commitment to that virtual community. Additionally, a general disposition to trust, a greater familiarity with the community and a stronger norm of reciprocity in communication in the community may increase the level of trust placed in a virtual community.Research limitations/implicationsData were collected thanks to a web survey using Spanish‐speaking members of free software virtual communities. Thus, it would be interesting to carry out a new validation of the model using other types of virtual communities and a wider sample of consumers, particularly in terms of different nationalities.Practical implicationsThis study has shown how managers may foster trust and commitment toward a virtual community in order to ensure the community's success and survival in the long term; that is, the ongoing participation in the community.Originality/valueMost of the works that are focused on virtual communities have been conducted at the conceptual level. Thus, with the aim of progressing this topic, the study analyzes empirically the precursors of trust and commitment to a virtual community.

A ‘virtual community’ is a new form of social grouping where its members meet and interact using computer-mediated communication. As seen in using computers and communicating through the Internet, such communities exist even without the establishment of formal procedural and institutional authority. The chapter focuses on whether virtual communities have more to offer for organisational innovation and change other than technological novelty. This chapter attempts to answer the following questions: Do virtual communities influence the outcomes in voluntary association? Do these outcomes entail a ethos or a new principle of human association? Is the basis for the existence of virtual communities sustainable? And Do the factors influencing the competition in different types of virtual communities indicate a collapse in their variety?

Among online communities of customers there are a number of different types of group that need to be distinguished. One interesting type are virtual product user communities, i.e. company sponsored online forums where product users share usage experience and collaboratively construct new knowledge to solve technical problems. The purpose of this paper is to show that these “virtual product user communities” are a distinct type of customer group with knowledge innovation capability. The research adopts a method combining observation and content analysis of discussion threads where technical problems are solved, complemented by thematic analysis of interviews with forum members to explore its character, especially its knowledge related attributes. The paper confirms empirically that the virtual product user community is a distinct type of virtual community and can be differentiated from other virtual communities of consumers. In addition, an enhanced classification framework, extending Porter’s (2004) classic 5Ps model, is proposed to highlight knowledge-related activities in virtual communities. Of particular interest is that the findings suggest that knowledge-related activities should be considered as an important attribute in defining and classifying virtual communities. In terms of practical implications, it is recommended that the virtual product user community should be given appropriate support from top management in order to fully exploit its knowledge innovation value. Moreover, tailored facilitation strategies to promote knowledge construction activities and community development can be developed in accordance with its unique attributes. The paper precisely distinguishes one specific type of innovative virtual community consisting of product users from other online customer communities. Moreover, it outlines a revised virtual community classification framework, which can be widely applied in analysing features of online groups. Its key attribute of knowledge-related activity redirects attention to virtual communities’ knowledge innovation capabilities.

With the increasing popularity of electronic commerce, businesses are starting to recognise that developing a good virtual community can help to generate more profits. Virtual communities can be an instrument for building relationships with customers, and retaining customers’ loyalty. Of interest are the similarities and differences in the design preferences of virtual communities across cultural groups. This paper, therefore, examined the design preferences of virtual communities in two cultural groups. The design preferences studied are Web design, tools used, and types of virtual communities preferred. Content analysis was employed to study 20 of the most popular Chinese and U.S. virtual communities. The study found that there are differences in the preference for the type of virtual communities and the tools used by Chinese and U.S. communities. The findings challenge aspects of Web site design across these cultural groups thought to be dissimilar based on prior research, indicating that designers of virtual communities must treat cultural differences with caution. Implications for research and practice are also discussed.

With the increasing popularity of electronic commerce, businesses are starting to recognise that developing a good virtual community can help to generate more profits. Virtual communities can be an instrument for building relationships with customers, and retaining customers’ loyalty. Of interest are the similarities and differences in the design preferences of virtual communities across cultural groups. This paper, therefore, examined the design preferences of virtual communities in two cultural groups. The design preferences studied are Web design, tools used, and types of virtual communities preferred. Content analysis was employed to study 20 of the most popular Chinese and U.S. virtual communities. The study found that there are differences in the preference for the type of virtual communities and the tools used by Chinese and U.S. communities. The findings challenge aspects of Web site design across these cultural groups thought to be dissimilar based on prior research, indicating that designers of virtual communities must treat cultural differences with caution. Implications for research and practice are also discussed.

With the increasing popularity of electronic commerce, businesses are starting to recognise that developing a good virtual community can help to generate more profits. Virtual communities can be an instrument for building relationships with customers, and retaining customers’ loyalty. Of interest are the similarities and differences in the design preferences of virtual communities across cultural groups. This paper, therefore, examined the design preferences of virtual communities in two cultural groups. The design preferences studied are Web design, tools used, and types of virtual communities preferred. Content analysis was employed to study 20 of the most popular Chinese and U.S. virtual communities. The study found that there are differences in the preference for the type of virtual communities and the tools used by Chinese and U.S. communities. The findings challenge aspects of Web site design across these cultural groups thought to be dissimilar based on prior research, indicating that designers of virtual communities must treat cultural differences with caution. Implications for research and practice are also discussed.

Virtual communities play an important role in communication with globalization and the development of information and communication technology. However, how the members transfer from free riders to active knowledge sharers in virtual communities is unclear. At the same time, little attention was put on QQ group, a new type of virtual communities that serves the needs of small groups of people. Moreover, less attention was put on the virtual communities of the hotel industry. By doing a case study in a QQ group of the Guangzhou Hotel Association, this paper identifies the factors that influence people to share knowledge in the QQ group with small groups of people from social capital and social cognitive perspectives, aiming to describe the process in which a member becomes an active knowledge sharer in a virtual community. This present study holds that the facets of loyalty will influence the quality of tacit and explicit knowledge sharing: identification-trust and sharing vision will influence the quality of explicit knowledge sharing, while self-efficacy will influence the quality of tacit knowledge sharing. This paper provides insight on fostering knowledge sharing in virtual communities of the hotel industry by adding loyalty as a new factor to the original model and dividing the knowledge into tacit and explicit knowledge.

The design of online communities that promotes user participation is critical to the community's success in fostering new ideas and innovations, building knowledge competencies, and strengthening customer relations. Social presence has been considered as a major design principle and important concept in explaining the relationship between online community artifacts and online user behavior. While most prior IS research adopts a unidimensional conceptualization of social presence and focuses on its effects on user attitude and/or behavior, this research employs a multidimensional conceptualization and demonstrates its suitability for understanding the effects of online community artifacts on social presence. More specifically, this research examines the effects of three categories of design artifacts (artifacts supporting self-presentation, deep profiling, and virtual co-presence) on three social presence dimensions (awareness, affective social presence and cognitive social presence). To validate the research model, a survey was conducted with four online communities. Different social presence dimensions were found to carry different weights in forming the overall sense of social presence and the effects of perceived usage of various online community artifacts varied for different social presence dimensions.