Examining identity and organizational citizenship behaviour in computer-mediated communication

• Published in: Journal of information science Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 114 - 126
• Main Authors: Shin, Ho Kyoung, Kim, Kyung Kyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2010; Sage Publications; Bowker-Saur Ltd
• Subjects: Behavior; Communication; Community; Computer mediated communication; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information science. Documentation; Interaction; Knowledge; Knowledge bases (artificial intelligence); Knowledge management; Library and information science. General aspects; Miscellaneous; Organizational aspects; Personal information; Sciences and techniques of general use; Sociology of information and communication; Use and user studies. Information needs; Virtual communities; Virtual organization; organizational citizenship behaviour; survey; questionnaire; identity; self-presentation; knowledge contribution; Knowledge sharing; Citizenship; Virtual community; Computer mediated communication; User behavior
• ISSN: 0165-5515; 1741-6485
• DOI: 10.1177/0165551509353376

Virtual communities are centred upon computer-mediated communication, with participants interacting to provide specific knowledge to each other that enables them to perform common functions, to learn from each other and to build upon their collective knowledge. Without the existence of rich knowledge bases, computer-mediated virtual communities are of limited value. Therefore, the significance of member-generated knowledge cannot be over-emphasized. In this paper, our goal is to examine the roles of identity and organizational citizenship behaviour in facilitating knowledge transfer in computer-mediated communication contexts such as virtual communities. Our findings support the assertion that self-presentation and organizational citizenship behaviour are crucial determinants of important community outcomes. We concluded that self-presentation could be a key variable for contributing knowledge in online communities. This study has important implications for academic researchers and practitioners who seek to understand why community members share their knowledge with strangers in online communities.