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Online Knowledge-Sharing Motivators of Top Contributors in 30 Q&A Sites

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New Media for Educational Change

Part of the book series: Educational Communications and Technology Yearbook ((ECTY))

Abstract

This study reports on the activities from a large question and answer (Q&A) site, Stack Exchange, which brings together individual communities of users on every specific topic. Q&A communities are selected from the top 30 sites from Stack Exchange, ranked by registered users as well as the percentage of answered questions. Using online survey, this study empirically tests a model of knowledge-sharing contribution to examine why individuals share knowledge in Stack Exchange. Research model is developed based on the theory of reasoned action, using attitude as the proxy to study the influence of possible motivations on knowledge-sharing intention. Nine factors were examined including knowledge-sharing self-efficacy, altruism, trust, reciprocity, personal expected returns, identification, shared vision, social network ties, and community-level expected returns. Results show that knowledge sharing is motivated primarily through altruism and personal expected returns.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong

    Yongsi Chen & Khe Foon Hew

Authors
  1. Yongsi Chen
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  2. Khe Foon Hew
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China

    Liping Deng

  2. Learning Commons, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), Hong Kong, China

    Will W. K. Ma

  3. Hong Kong Association for Educational Communications and Technology (HKAECT), Hong Kong, China

    Cheuk Wai Rose Fong

Appendix

Appendix

1. I think knowledge sharing is good (attitude)

2. I think knowledge sharing is pleasant (attitude)

3. I have the expertise, experiences, or insights needed to provide knowledge that is valuable for other members in this virtual community (knowledge-sharing self-efficacy)

4. I have confidence in responding or adding comments to messages or articles posted by other members in this virtual community (knowledge-sharing self-efficacy)

5. When I have the opportunity, I help members solve their posting questions (altruism)

6. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with others through this virtual community (altruism)

7. It feels good to help someone else by sharing my knowledge through this virtual community (altruism)

8. I know that other members will help me, so it’s obligated and fair to help other members in this virtual community (reciprocity)

9. When I share my knowledge through this virtual community, I believe that my queries for knowledge will be answered in the future (reciprocity)

10. Members in this virtual community will not take advantage of others even when a profitable opportunity arises (trust)

11. Members in this virtual community are truthful in dealing with one another (trust)

12. I believe the knowledge shared by other community members is correct (trust)

13. I have belief in the good intent or concern of other community members (trust)

14. When I share knowledge in virtual communities, I hope to increase my reputation points in this virtual community (personal expected return)

15. When I share knowledge in virtual communities, I hope to increase my badges in this virtual community (personal expected return)

16. When I share knowledge in virtual communities, I hope to increase my privilege level in this virtual community (personal expected return)

17. I am proud to be a member of this community (identification)

18. When someone criticizes this community, it feels like a personal insult (identification)

19. I spend a lot of time interacting with some members in this virtual community (social interaction ties)

20. I know some members in this virtual community on a personal level (social interaction ties)

21. Members in this virtual community share the vision of helping others solve their professional problems (shared vision)

22. Members in this virtual community share the same value of helping others (shared vision)

23. Sharing my knowledge will be helpful to the successful functioning of this virtual community (community-related outcome expectation)

24. I really care about the fate of this virtual community (community-related outcome expectation)

25. I feel a great deal of loyalty to the virtual community (community-related outcome expectation)

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Chen, Y., Hew, K.F. (2018). Online Knowledge-Sharing Motivators of Top Contributors in 30 Q&A Sites. In: Deng, L., Ma, W., Fong, C. (eds) New Media for Educational Change. Educational Communications and Technology Yearbook. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8896-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8896-4_4

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  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-8896-4

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