The mediating role of sense of virtual community

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive model to illustrate the mediating role of sense of virtual community (SOVC) in virtual communities of practices (VCoPs). The interrelations between social capital and collective action in terms of knowledge contribution in the VCoP context are also examined. Design/methodology/approach A total of 253 members from the Zclub and Jorsindo, responded to the survey. PLS-SEM path modeling was used to analyze survey data. Findings Members’ structural capital and cognitive capital both positively and significantly influence members’ SOVC, and, in turn, their SOVC influences relational capital. Research limitations/implications The study linked two theories, namely, social capital and theory of collective action, to discuss knowledge contribution in VCoPs. Social capital and SOVC have significant and positive effects on knowledge contribution in VCoPs. Practical implications Knowledge contributions in VCoPs are created through interactions among members, as well as the facilitation resulting from shared visions. Administrators can promote the formation of social-interaction ties in VCoPs to reinforce the formation of social capital and a SOVC. Social implications Administrators of knowledge-oriented groups must strive to sustain proper levels of SOVC among members to ensure their continued participation in VCoPs. Originality/value The main objectives of this study were to examine the effects of social capital (structural, cognitive, and relational capitals) on the quality and quantity of knowledge contribution. SOVC was proposed as a mediator in the relationship between structural and/or cognitive capital toward relational capital.

Exploring Sense of Community among Early Childhood Education and Care Professionals through the Supporting Nutrition for Australian Childcare (SNAC) Website

“…Many modern online communities build a reputable repository of content (Liu, Wagner & Chen, 2014), as was the case for SNAC, and this repository ensured members received cognitive benefits such as developing personal knowledge and improved learning opportunities (Tonteri et al, 2011), and seeking factual information (Chang, Hsieh & Fu, 2016) about providing a healthy eating environment. Members accessed a wide variety of tangible resources from the SNAC website, such as fact sheets and recipes.…”

The Relationship Between Users’ Relational Capital and Knowledge Contribution in the Social Q&A Community

“…Repeated reciprocal behaviors will also enhance the sense of participation and immersion among members, thus exerting an impact on their virtual sense of community. Zhang [16] proposed that relational capital would positively affect the sense of virtual community. Therefore, the following hypothesis is proposed: H2b: Reciprocity is positively correlated with users' sense of virtual community.…”

Understanding the Sense of Community and Continuance Intention in Virtual Communities: The Role of Commitment and Type of Community

“…In VCs, SoVC and commitment are related concepts (Chang et al, 2016;Guo & Cheng, 2016;Laux et al, 2016). Personal relations produce social exchanges among participants (Klein et al, 2012), facilitating membership salience and collective identity-SoVC- (Lee et al, 2015), which, in turn, contribute to the development of commitment (Klein et al, 2012).…”

“…In this regard, users are required to make an additional effort in order to reinforce and consolidate SoVC and facilitate the collective behavior and sustainability of the VC. Hence, commitment has been shown to mediate the effect of SoVC on various forms of participation in VCs, such as knowledge sharing and student persistence (Chang, Hsieh, & Fu, 2016;Laux, Luse, & Mennecke, 2016), and so we expect it to mediate the effects of SoVC on intention to continue.…”