The Value of Questions in Organizing: Reconceptualizing Contributions to Online Public Information Goods

Abstract In contrast to previous research that treats question-Paskers as free-riders, this article conceptualizes questions and information requests as important forms of contribution to generating online public information goods. By requesting information, individuals make visible an informationa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Communication theory 2018-02, Vol.28 (1), p.1-21
Main Authors: Bighash, Leila, Oh, Poong, Fulk, Janet, Monge, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract In contrast to previous research that treats question-Paskers as free-riders, this article conceptualizes questions and information requests as important forms of contribution to generating online public information goods. By requesting information, individuals make visible an informational need, calling for attention from those who may be able to fulfill that need and alerting those who share that need. Communicating questions can result in groups forming around particular shared interests, giving rise to permeable group boundaries that distinguish the interested from others. Such groups continue or even grow if new information needs are introduced. Once all information needs are fulfilled, the group will eventually dissolve, leaving their informational assets as public goods for the whole community.
ISSN:1050-3293
1468-2885
DOI:10.1111/ct/qtw001