The Secret to Successful User Communities: An Analysis of Computer Associates’ User Groups

Celine Schulz

Discussion Papers in Business Administration from University of Munich, Munich School of Management

Abstract: This paper provides the first large scale study that examines the impact of both individual- and group-specific factors on the benefits users obtain from their user communities. By empirically analysing 924 survey responses from individuals in 161 Computer Associates' user groups, this paper aims to identify the determinants of successful user communities. To measure success, the amount of time individual members save through having access to their user networks is used. As firms can significantly profit from successful user communities, this study proposes four key implications of the empirical results for the management of user communities.

Keywords: Managing User Communities; Collective Action; Information Sharing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M10 O32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ict, nep-ino, nep-net and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:lmu:msmdpa:1257

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