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Knowledge Sharing in an Online Community of Volunteers: The Role of Community Munificence
Author(s) -
Erden Zeynep,
Von Krogh Georg,
Kim Seonwoo
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
european management review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1740-4762
pISSN - 1740-4754
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-4762.2012.01039.x
Subject(s) - knowledge sharing , context (archaeology) , knowledge management , empirical evidence , psychology , empirical research , online community , knowledge creation , social psychology , survey data collection , public relations , social exchange theory , business , marketing , computer science , political science , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , biology , downstream (manufacturing) , statistics , mathematics , world wide web
This study examines how perceived benefits, and context in online communities, shape members' intentions to share their knowledge. We build a model of knowledge‐sharing intention and provide empirical evidence using survey data collected from a community in which members voluntarily exchange their experiences, ideas, and questions on photographic equipment via online platforms. We find the perceived benefits and favorable conditions provided by a community (community munificence) – which consists of collective knowledge, experienced interdependence, opportunity structures, and psychological safety – influence individuals' motivation to contribute knowledge. We discuss managerial implications and outline suggestions for future theory building and empirical research.