Examining information exchange and virtual communities: an emergent framework

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present an emergent conceptual framework for examining virtual communities.Design methdodology approach - Established theories and models of community, social networks, information exchange, and information sharing behaviours are explored with the goal of de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Online information review 2007-01, Vol.31 (2), p.135-147
Main Authors: Hersberger, Julia A., Murray, Adam L., Rioux, Kevin S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communities
Community
Community Relations
Computer Networks
Conformity
Exact sciences and technology
Failure
Human Relations
Influence
Information and communication sciences
Information communication
Information exchange
Information industry
Information science. Documentation
Information sharing
Information Transfer
Internet
Investment
Knowledge Level
Library and information science. General aspects
Network Analysis
Online operations
Participation
Sciences and techniques of general use
Social networks
Studies
Use and user studies. Information needs
Virtual communities
Virtual networks
Virtual organizations
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Summary:Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present an emergent conceptual framework for examining virtual communities.Design methdodology approach - Established theories and models of community, social networks, information exchange, and information sharing behaviours are explored with the goal of determining their usefulness in conceptualising virtual communities.Findings - Explored theories and models are inter-related and expanded to form a tiered conceptual framework for examining virtual communities. This framework also acknowledges the affective contexts in which virtual communities operate.Practical implications - The presented conceptual framework may inform information professionals tasked with creating, maintaining, and improving corporate, educational, research, and other information systems. It may also be of use to researchers who seek to build theory that attempts to explain phenomena observable in virtual communities.Originality value - In contrast to models and frameworks which focus on analysing individual components and attributes of virtual communities, the presented framework provides a holistic starting point for understanding inter-related structural, cognitive, behavioural and affective dimensions of online communities
ISSN:1468-4527
1468-4535
DOI:10.1108/14684520710747194