Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities

IntroductionContributors’ self-identity is a critical element in the sustainable development of online knowledge communities (OKCs). However, research concerning the formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity remains scarce. This research posits information support, novel posting and sense o...

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Main Authors: Tongfei Gu, Zhichao Cheng, Zeqian Zhang, Cui Li, Yuan Ni, Xiaokang Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046525/full
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author Tongfei Gu
Zhichao Cheng
Zeqian Zhang
Cui Li
Yuan Ni
Xiaokang Wang
author_facet Tongfei Gu
Zhichao Cheng
Zeqian Zhang
Cui Li
Yuan Ni
Xiaokang Wang
author_sort Tongfei Gu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionContributors’ self-identity is a critical element in the sustainable development of online knowledge communities (OKCs). However, research concerning the formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity remains scarce. This research posits information support, novel posting and sense of self-worth as mediating variables between social identity and self-identity to construct a path model, aiming to explore the way in which self-identity is formed on the basis of social identity in OKCs.MethodsTo examine this mode, an online survey was administered to many different OKCs, and 515 usable questionnaire responses were collected. Structural equation modeling was then employed to examine the model.ResultsThe R2 value of self-identity was 0.627, thus indicating that the model was able to explain 62.7% of the variance in self-identity. We find that self-identity emerges through the mediating effects of information support, novel posting and sense of self-worth. In addition, social identity can elicit novel posting and information support, which are all beneficial for enhancing the dynamics of OKCs and further generate sense of self-worth. We also observe that although social identity and individualized behavior (novel posting) are generally incompatible, they can be compatible in the context of OKCs.DiscussionSelf-identity as a contributor can be formed on the basis of social identity via the social path and the psychological path in OKCs, while the two paths for fostering self-identity are not independent of each other, and there is also a very strong link between behavioral and psychological mechanisms.
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spelling doaj.art-2c134103898847c6a32f9ac6e17d06492022-12-22T04:22:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782022-12-011310.3389/fpsyg.2022.10465251046525Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communitiesTongfei Gu0Zhichao Cheng1Zeqian Zhang2Cui Li3Yuan Ni4Xiaokang Wang5School of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Beihang University, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Disaster Prevention, Hebei, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Beijing Information Science and Technology University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, ChinaIntroductionContributors’ self-identity is a critical element in the sustainable development of online knowledge communities (OKCs). However, research concerning the formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity remains scarce. This research posits information support, novel posting and sense of self-worth as mediating variables between social identity and self-identity to construct a path model, aiming to explore the way in which self-identity is formed on the basis of social identity in OKCs.MethodsTo examine this mode, an online survey was administered to many different OKCs, and 515 usable questionnaire responses were collected. Structural equation modeling was then employed to examine the model.ResultsThe R2 value of self-identity was 0.627, thus indicating that the model was able to explain 62.7% of the variance in self-identity. We find that self-identity emerges through the mediating effects of information support, novel posting and sense of self-worth. In addition, social identity can elicit novel posting and information support, which are all beneficial for enhancing the dynamics of OKCs and further generate sense of self-worth. We also observe that although social identity and individualized behavior (novel posting) are generally incompatible, they can be compatible in the context of OKCs.DiscussionSelf-identity as a contributor can be formed on the basis of social identity via the social path and the psychological path in OKCs, while the two paths for fostering self-identity are not independent of each other, and there is also a very strong link between behavioral and psychological mechanisms.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046525/fullonline knowledge communitysocial identityself-identityinformation supportnovel postingsense of self-worth
spellingShingle Tongfei Gu
Zhichao Cheng
Zeqian Zhang
Cui Li
Yuan Ni
Xiaokang Wang
Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
Frontiers in Psychology
online knowledge community
social identity
self-identity
information support
novel posting
sense of self-worth
title Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
title_full Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
title_fullStr Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
title_full_unstemmed Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
title_short Formation mechanism of contributors’ self-identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
title_sort formation mechanism of contributors self identity based on social identity in online knowledge communities
topic online knowledge community
social identity
self-identity
information support
novel posting
sense of self-worth
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1046525/full
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