What motivates sharing of knowledge on the forum?
DHeath
Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
I always thought it an interesting question. While doing unrelated research I stumbled on an article in MIS Quarterly, the premier journal in my field, titled "Why Should I Share? Examining Social Capital and Knowledge Contribution in Electronic Networks of Practice" (Wasko and Faraj, 2005) which I believe might be interesting to those who participate here. The research question, theoretical model and hypotheses follow:
Why do people spend their valuable time and effort contributing knowledge and helping strangers in electronic networks of practice?
H1a. Individuals who perceive that participation will enhance their reputations in the profession will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H1b: individuals who perceive that participation will enhance their reputations in the profession will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H2a: Individuals who enjoy helping others will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H2b: Individuals who enjoy helping others will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H3a: Individuals with higher levels of network centrality will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H3b: Individuals with higher levels of network centrality will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H4a: Individuals with higher levels of expertise in the shared practice will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H4b: Individuais with higher levels of expertise in the shared practice wiil contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H5a: Individuals with longer tenure in the shared practice will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H5b: Individuals with longer tenure in the shared practice will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H6a: Individuals who are committed to the network will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H6b: Individuals who are committed to the network will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H7a: Individuals guided by a norm of reciprocity will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H7b: Individuals guided by a norm of reciprocity will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
The majority of the hypotheses were supported. One might easily ascribe many of the motivations hypothesized to quality contributors here. For those who are unfamiliar with the notion of centrality, the article provides an adequate and easily digestible explanation.
Why do people spend their valuable time and effort contributing knowledge and helping strangers in electronic networks of practice?
H1a. Individuals who perceive that participation will enhance their reputations in the profession will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H1b: individuals who perceive that participation will enhance their reputations in the profession will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H2a: Individuals who enjoy helping others will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H2b: Individuals who enjoy helping others will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H3a: Individuals with higher levels of network centrality will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H3b: Individuals with higher levels of network centrality will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H4a: Individuals with higher levels of expertise in the shared practice will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H4b: Individuais with higher levels of expertise in the shared practice wiil contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H5a: Individuals with longer tenure in the shared practice will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H5b: Individuals with longer tenure in the shared practice will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H6a: Individuals who are committed to the network will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H6b: Individuals who are committed to the network will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
H7a: Individuals guided by a norm of reciprocity will contribute more helpful responses to electronic networks of practice.
H7b: Individuals guided by a norm of reciprocity will contribute more responses to electronic networks of practice.
The majority of the hypotheses were supported. One might easily ascribe many of the motivations hypothesized to quality contributors here. For those who are unfamiliar with the notion of centrality, the article provides an adequate and easily digestible explanation.
Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
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Comments
As for why folks don't share, personal attacks, stalking, high levels of vitriol are all common on the Internet and are some of the reasons why many limit their contributions.
Another reasons is trolls. They post a question or a story and aren't looking for answers or intelligent comments, just for a fight or to bash someone or some group. Vendettas and grudges are also mainstays of many Internet forums and another reason the intelligent and reasonable contributors decide it just isn't worth the time.
<< <i>Conversely, why do people *not* share knowledge? This might be a interesting investigation too. >>
We call them "Empire Builders"... if you're the expert, us novices have to seek you out - feels good if you're a narcissist!
<< <i>Conversely, why do people *not* share knowledge? This might be a interesting investigation too. >>
Because this is not MIS!
I had a good mentor at Coin World, Ed Fleischmann, who was always willing to share his vast knowledge with others. I would be honored to be thought half as good as him.
TD
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
<< <i>Conversely, why do people *not* share knowledge? This might be a interesting investigation too. >>
Some feel there is security in knowledge. I have worked with people that would not share what they knew with others. Their mindset being if they were the only ones that knew something they couldn't be replaced on their job. But in the same frame, if you can't be replaced you can't be promoted. If I should happen to learn something that benefits the hobby I am going to share the knowledge unless it's where I can buy coins for half price. The sharing of knowledge keeps our hobby alive and well.
Ron
How true. Unfortunately folk of my particular bent looked for niche jobs (or self employment) so they wouldn't have to be bothered by a boss or have to do supervision.
One of my prvious companies supposedly had the motto - "If a person is indispensible - fire him".
I was a Monkey