Influence on willingness of virtual community’s knowledge sharing –Based on Social Capital Theory and Habitual Domain

• Main Authors: Chumg.Hao-Fan, 鄭皓帆
• Other Authors: Teresa L. Ju
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/68544733587263463935

碩士 === 樹德科技大學 === 資訊管理研究所 === 95 === Actually, knowledge has become the new society unique in recent year. However, most organizations do not possess all acquired knowledge within their formal boundaries and most rely on linkages to outside organizations and individuals to acquire knowledge. Despite the fact that Knowledge Sharing (KS) is very important, we found only little discussion about the reasons why people have the willingness to share knowledge at such platform even though there is no immediate benefit to the persons who contribute knowledge in it. Meanwhile, by reviewing interrelated articles in the past decade, we discovered that individual habitual tendencies would unconsciously influence people’s willingness or behavior. The aim of this study is to develop an integrative understanding of the factors that support or inhibit individuals’ knowledge sharing intentions in virtual communities and to find whether habit would generate people’s willingness to be involved. We apply Social Capital Theory (SCT), and we also add two dimensions for discussion: member incentive and habitual domain (HD). This research assembles the questionnaire from individuals who have experienced knowledge sharing in virtual communities, and applies survey and Structural Equation Model (SEM) to analyze the results from the questionnaires. Finally, results confirm that individuals are willing to share knowledge in virtual communities: 1) if they consider reciprocity, centrality, and have longer tenure in their field, and enjoy helping. 2) if they have the habit of sharing knowledge. This study is useful for the developers of virtual communities to insight into knowledge sharing in cyberspace. Keywords: Virtual Community, Habitual Domains (HD), Knowledge Sharing (KS), Social Capital Theory (SCT), Structural Equation Model (SEM).