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http://dx.doi.org/10.13088/jiis.2014.20.2.019

Towards the Virtuous Circle in Virtual Community through Knowledge Seeking and Sharing  

Kim, Jae Kyung (Department of MIS, Hannam University)
Publication Information
Journal of Intelligence and Information Systems / v.20, no.2, 2014 , pp. 19-38 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study focused on the role of active knowledge seeking (knowledge browsing and knowledge searching) in the context of virtual community of interest. Knowledge seeking is rarely studied as an antecedent in knowledge management (KM) research. Active knowledge seeking is considered as antecedents of sense of virtual community which mediates to knowledge sharing intention and virtual community promotion. Research hypotheses are tested by applying structure equation modeling with survey data from virtual community members in South Korea. Active knowledge seeking behavior was found to be the strong predictor of sense of virtual community, which, in turn, positively affects knowledge sharing intention and virtual community promotion. Implication to practitioners is to understand and accommodate the members' knowledge seeking efforts, who are potential contributors and promoters of the virtual community. Knowledge seeking, knowledge sharing and promoting virtual community are more of human activities than technology and this study extends the understanding of such human activities. By providing a mechanism of how knowledge seeking and sharing could work harmoniously, a virtuous circle with win-win situation could be achieved in virtual communities.
Keywords
Knowledge searching; knowledge browsing; sense of virtual community; knowledge sharing; virtual community promotion;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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