Building a Sense of Virtual Community: The Role of the Features of Social Networking Sites

Abstract

In recent years, social networking sites have received increased attention because of the potential of this medium to transform business by building virtual communities. However, theoretical and empirical studies investigating how specific features of social networking sites contribute to building a sense of virtual community (SOVC)-an important dimension of a successful virtual community-are rare. Furthermore, SOVC scales have been developed, and research on this issue has been called for, but few studies have heeded this call. On the basis of prior literature, this study proposes that perceptions of the three most salient features of social networking sites-system quality (SQ), information quality (IQ), and social information exchange (SIE)-play a key role in fostering SOVC. In particular, SQ is proposed to increase IQ and SIE, and SIE is proposed to enhance IQ, both of which thereafter build SOVC. The research model was examined in the context of Facebook, one of the most popular social networking sites in the world. We adopted Blanchard's scales to measure SOVC. Data gathered using a Web-based questionnaire, and analyzed with partial least squares, were utilized to test the model. The results demonstrate that SIE, SQ, and IQ are the factors that form SOVC. The findings also suggest that SQ plays a fundamental role in supporting SIE and IQ in social networking sites. Implications for theory, practice, and future research directions are discussed.

Consumer engagement in an online brand community

“…Indeed, OBC experience stands out amongst engagement antecedents. The results are consistent with previous works, which have shown the positive influence of experience upon trust(Hung et al 2011, Porter andDonthu 2008), identification(Chen and Lin 2014, Hajli et al 2015, Keng et al 2015 and engagement(Brodie et al 2013, Mollen and Wilson 2010, Morgan-Thomas and Veloutsou 2013.…”

Community building and knowledge sharing by individuals with disabilities using social media

“…When a designer understands the goal of a particular community is to share information with medical professionals, the designer can implement tools to streamline this process, such as video chat or secure email exchange. The quality of the online system, the quality of the information itself, and social information exchange have been shown to enhance the sense of virtual community among members using social networking sites (Chen & Lin, 2014). The use of CoP as a framework to analyse online interactions can thus assist researchers in understanding how particular social media tools are used by the community of users.…”

Commuter Students, Online Services, and Online Communities

“…Creating a campus community involves developing relationships built on common interests, and it has been documented that such a community is critical to academic success and student retention (Battista, Forrey, & Stevenson, ). According to Chen and Lin (), a sense of community is formed because members share similar interests, are willing to maintain friendships, are interdependent, and have a feeling of belonging to the community (p. 461). In order for this sense of community to take hold, two conditions must be met.…”

“…In a study of over 250 undergraduate business students attending a Northeastern institution, Chen and Lin () found that the use of social media might also affect the success of virtual communities and that the quality of the information posted influences the sense of virtual community. Deng and Yuen (), while studying part‐time doctoral students at the University of Hong Kong, found these communities to be capable of providing social and emotional support to their members.…”