The influence of social capital on knowledge creation in online health communities

Jing Zhao (), Sejin Ha and Richard Widdows
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Jing Zhao: Wuhan University
Sejin Ha: University of Tennessee
Richard Widdows: Purdue University

Information Technology and Management, 2016, vol. 17, issue 4, No 1, 321 pages

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates how social capital influences knowledge creation in online health communities (OHCs), based on social capital theory. The study proposes that three social capital dimensions, namely trust, shared language, and network density, affect OHC members’ externalization and combination of knowledge creation, and that these in turn lead to membership continuance intention (MCI). Trust also directly contributes to MCI in the model. Three hundred fifty-three members from eight existing US based OHCs participated in surveys. The results provide overall support for the proposed model. Among the three dimensions of social capital, network density plays a critical role in developing both externalization and combination of knowledge creation. Externalization of knowledge in turn affects members’ MCI. Supplemental analysis shows that trust and shared language influence OHC members’ knowledge creation indirectly via network density.

Keywords: Social capital; Knowledge creation; Trust; Network density; Shared language; Membership continuance intention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10799-014-0211-3

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