View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by AIS Electronic Library (AISeL) JITTA JOURNAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY THEORY AND APPLICATION VIRTUAL COMMUNITY INFORMATICS: A REVIEW AND RESEARCH AGENDA FION S. L. LEE, City University of Hong Kong Department of Information Systems, Kowloon Tong, Tel: (852) 2788-7538, Email: [email protected] DOUGLAS VOGEL, City University of Hong Kong Department of Information Systems, Kowloon Tong, Tel: (852) 2788-7560, Email: [email protected] MOEZ LIMAYEM, City University of Hong Kong Department of Information Systems, Kowloon, Tel: (852) 2788-8530, Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Divergent opinions exist on the basic understanding of the concept, virtual community. This study offers a working definition by examining different definitions, and proposes adoption of virtual community classifications. It also includes a summary of research conducted in the field. The research categorizes the different stages in virtual community growth to show the transition of research in this area. The results illustrate a paucity of technology development studies. We also investigate the extent of the adoption of informatics in these communities using a survey 200 virtual communities. The results indicate that discussion forum is the most popular tool adopted in virtual communities. The integration of the research review and tool adoption survey contributes to the generation of an agenda to direct future virtual community research. Ken Peffers acted as senior editor for this paper. Lee, F.S.L., D. Vogel, and M. Limayem, “Virtual Community Informatics: A Review and Research Agenda”, The Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application (JITTA), 5:1, 2003, 47-61. Fion Lee, Douglas Vogel and Moez Limayem INTRODUCTION In this paper, we compare different virtual community definitions and develop a With the exponential growth of the working definition. We then describe different virtual community, more and more studies classifications of virtual community and have been conducted on how virtual suggest selective adoption based on different communities affect living standards by situations. We identify existing research on providing functions for relationship building virtual community, and demonstrate the lack and knowledge sharing (Baranski 1997; Bieber of technology development studies. Next, we et al. 2002; Blasé 2000; Brown 2000; Siwolop examine virtual community from a practical 1997). Nevertheless, little consensus has been point of view to reflect on what is actually reached on basic concepts such as definitions happening in this area. On the practical side, and classifications of the virtual community. we conduct a survey on internet tools used in Without such underlying concepts, researchers 200 virtual community web sites, and provide use a variety of meanings for the same terms. suggestions for how these tools can provide The various classifications proposed by different researchers prevent the adoption of a ONTRIBUTION standard terminology. Also, the existing C literature shows that virtual community This study provides an overview of research is lacking and is being ignored in the various aspects of virtual community research most prestigious journals. This implies that to reflect the basic knowledge in this area. It virtual community research has not yet proposes a working definition of the virtual reached a mature stage and opens community to contribute to a consensus on opportunities for future study. standard terminology. In addition it proposes From a practical point of view, a virtual classification schemes for virtual communities community provides access for engaging in and suggests the adoption of appropriate common activities, sharing feelings, or classifications in different situations. discussing ideas with others. The current Another contribution of this study is the practice is to build web sites and allow people summary of existing research on virtual to register as members who can then share community. It reflects the immaturity of information or feelings virtually. However, the research in this area and exposes the lack of tools that virtual community web sites are research on technology development for using to assist in relationship building and supporting virtual community. knowledge sharing are of dubious value. As the virtual community becomes more popular, This paper also includes a survey on researchers need to be aware of what is tools used in virtual communities. The results happening in the theoretical aspects as well as contribute to our knowledge on the most practical developments and consideration of popular tools adopted in virtual communities, research opportunities that exist. i.e. discussion forum. We develop four research questions We propose future research topics, based on the problems mentioned above: including knowledge management in virtual community and the impact of discussion 1. What is our proposed working forums on information exchange and emotional definition of the virtual community? support. 2. What are the classifications of virtual The paper can help novices gain a basic community and how can they be understanding of virtual community research. adopted in different situations? Researchers may find this paper useful to help 3. What are the tools currently adopted in select new research areas. Virtual community virtual communities and expectations administrators can become aware of the for their functionalities? popular types of technological tools used in virtual communities for community 4. What suggestions can we make about development. future research about virtual communities? 48 Virtual Community Informatics: A Review and Research Agenda support. The results of the survey indicate that A generally agreed upon definition of a discussion forum is the most popular virtual virtual community, a definition understood by community tool. Finally, integration of most people, would be a good starting point. research summary and survey findings What we need is a working definition, a contributes to a research agenda for directing consensus found in the major stream of future virtual community research with the literature. To achieve this goal, definitions of technology development focus. virtual community proposed by various authors are compared in Table 1. Similar items This is a review and a research agenda found in definitions are then extracted in order paper about the virtual community. We first to build up a working definition. These propose a working definition of virtual definitions are presented in order of popularity. community and suggest circumstances where Howard’s (1993) definition is the most popular different virtual community classifications cited reference, followed by Hagel and could be applied. We also provide a summary Armstrong’s (1997). of research conducted on virtual community that could be useful for future studies. We Table 1: Definitions of virtual conduct a survey to help us understand the communities proposed by various authors practical issues in virtual community, in which Author Definition we focus on tools adopted in virtual Carver (1999) Virtual Communities are about community. Incorporating the research aggregating people. People are drawn to summary with the survey results could be virtual communities because they helpful in preparing an agenda for indicating provide an engaging environment in which to connect with other people – direction for future research. Some suggested sometimes only once, but more often in future research directions include: an ongoing series of interactions that create an atmosphere of trust and real - Impact of discussion forums on insight. information sharing and emotional Craig and A sense of community, that is, it is not support; Zimring guaranteed by opportunities for (2000) interaction but, rather, must grow out of - Requirements of tools to support interaction itself. communication in the virtual Erickson Long term, computer-mediated (1997) conversations amongst large groups. community; Hagel and Virtual communities are computer- - Knowledge management in the virtual Armstrong mediated spaces where there is a (1997) potential for an integration of content community; and and communication with an emphasis on member-generated content. - Design of virtual communities to Hesse (1995) A community that spins time and generate profit. geography, a community that supplements buildings and streets with personal computers and information DEFINITION OF A VIRTUAL superhighways. COMMUNITY Ho, Schraefel, Technologically mediated, persistent, and Chignell environment which supports: multiple Traditionally, the word “community,” (2000) interaction styles, capability for real-time has been considered to be a closed system. It interaction, and multi-user engagement. has been seen to have a relatively clear Howard Social aggregations that emerge from the (1993) Net when enough people carry on public boundary, relatively stable membership, and discussions long enough, with sufficient show little linkage to other communities human feeling, to form webs of personal (Anderson 1999). But with the advanced relationships in cyberspace. development of information and Jones and Virtual Publics are symbolically Rafaeli (2000) delineated computer-mediated spaces, communication technology, predominance of whose existence is relatively transparent geography as a force of a shaping community and open, that allow groups of is reduced. The communication