How to mend the dormant user in Q&A communities? A social cognitive theory-based study of consistent geeks of StackOverflow

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low user participation and less knowledge contribution seriously threaten the sustainability of online question and answers communities. Although researchers studied the different aspects of knowledge contribution and proposed useful suggestions, there is still no thorough study on the knowledge contribution pattern of consistent geeks’ that can help improve low participation. According to social cognitive and self-determination theory, peers follow credible sources or role models in their participation patterns and are influenced by the community environment. Based on social cognitive and self-determination theory, we have studied the most consistent geeks of StackOverflow for the period between 2010–2020 to employ the results to activate dormant users. Two-step system GMM results revealed that most users take a free ride and hesitate to reciprocate; knowledge-seeking negatively influences the quantity of contributed knowledge. Peer recognition and repudiation positively influence the knowledge contribution of active geeks, whereas reputation scores and badges negatively influence the contributed knowledge's quantity and quality. Social interaction's role as moderator is also different for quantity and quality of knowledge contributed. Study results improve the existing literature and provide comprehensive managerial implications to improve low participation and create a progressive knowledge contribution environment.