Knowledge sharing in virtual communities: A social exchange theory perspective
Abstract: The author tried to
identify the knowledge sharing behaviors on the internet, using structural
equation modeling methods, proposing a model based on social exchange theory in
which share willingness, trust, reciprocity, altruism tended to have impact on
people’s knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual communities.
Design/methodology/approach: We presented an empirical research which
integrated social exchange theory and structural equation modeling methods to
analyze several important factors influencing members’ knowledge sharing
behaviors in virtual communities.
Findings: We analyzed the knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual
communities. We found that members’ altruism can not predict knowledge sharing
behaviors. We also found that members’ sharing willingness is the most
important factor on virtual community knowledge sharing behaviors compared with
trust, reciprocity and altruism.
Originality/value: From the perspective of social exchange theory, we did
empirical test and verified the proposed research model by using structural
equation modeling methods. Our finding can help recognize people’s incentive
about knowledge sharing.
Author: Li Jinyang
Journal Code: jptindustrigg150058
