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Reciprocal intention in knowledge seeking: Examining social exchange theory in an online professional community

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  • Chia-An Tsai, Jacob
  • Kang, Tsan-Ching

Abstract

The free-rider problem in an online professional community could, over time, undermine the wealth of the community and deplete the knowledge inventory to unacceptable levels. A knowledge seeker’s intention to reciprocate is motivated by perceived social benefits. An interpretation of intention to reciprocate cannot be fully addressed without investigating how knowledge seekers define the community support received in their knowledge-seeking process. This study suggests that perceived community support is the degree to which knowledge seekers perceive a supportive climate created by linking actors. An empirical study involving 471 knowledge seekers was conducted in an online professional community that seekers used to search for and acquire programming knowledge. The results indicated that knowledge seekers take perceived social benefits and perceived community support into account when forming an intention to reciprocate. In addition, perceived community support positively moderated the effect of knowledge-seeking effort on perceived social benefits. These findings contribute to the existing literature on knowledge-seeking by using social exchange theory to integrate perceived community support and better explain the intention of knowledge seekers to reciprocate in an online professional community. Theoretical and practical implications derived from the findings are further discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Chia-An Tsai, Jacob & Kang, Tsan-Ching, 2019. "Reciprocal intention in knowledge seeking: Examining social exchange theory in an online professional community," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 161-174.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ininma:v:48:y:2019:i:c:p:161-174
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.02.008
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Salman Iqbal & Ivan Litvaj & Mário Drbúl & Mamoona Rasheed, 2023. "Improving Quality of Human Resources through HRM Practices and Knowledge Sharing," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Can Saglam, Yesim & Yildiz Çankaya, Sibel & Golgeci, Ismail & Sezen, Bulent & Zaim, Selim, 2022. "The role of communication quality, relational commitment, and reciprocity in building supply chain resilience: A social exchange theory perspective," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Selim, Hassan & Eid, Riyad & Agag, Gomaa & Shehawy, Yasser Moustafa, 2022. "Cross-national differences in travelers’ continuance of knowledge sharing in online travel communities," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    4. Wang, Nan & Wang, Liya & Ma, Zhenzhong & Wang, Shouyang, 2022. "From knowledge seeking to knowledge contribution: A social capital perspective on knowledge sharing behaviors in online Q&A communities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).

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