How to keep members using the information in a computer-supported social network

• Published in: Computers in human behavior Vol. 25; no. 5; pp. 1172 - 1181
• Main Authors: Jin, Xiao-Ling, Cheung, Christy M.K., Lee, Matthew K.O., Chen, Hua-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Client Satisfaction; Computer Mediated Communication; Computer-supported social network; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Information adoption; Information Dissemination; Information quality; Internet; IS continuance; Membership; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Social interactions. Communication. Group processes; Social Networks; Social psychology; Source credibility; User satisfaction; Computer-supported social network; Source credibility; User satisfaction; Information quality; IS continuance; Information adoption; Human; Satisfaction; Social network; Computer aid
• ISSN: 0747-5632; 1873-7692
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2009.04.008

Computer-supported social networks have become a significant channel for people to interact and exchange information. The success of computer-supported social networks depends on the extent to which members will stay and continue participating. Many computer-supported social networks however suffer from the problem of retaining members. Drawing from theories of user satisfaction and information adoption, we develop a model to examine how computer-supported social networks encourage members to continue participating and using the information in the network. The theoretical model is validated through an online survey of 240 users of a Bulletin Board System established by a local university in China. The results reveal that individuals will continue to use the information in a computer-supported social network when they are satisfied with their prior usage, and when they perceive that the information in the network is useful. The results also suggest that individuals’ perceived information usefulness and satisfaction are determined by information quality and source credibility in the context of computer-supported social networks. Theoretical and practical implications about computer-supported social networks are discussed.