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Social capital, motivations, and knowledge sharing intention in health Q&A communities

Author

Listed:
  • Xing Zhang

    (EM - EMLyon Business School)

  • Shan Liu
  • Xing Chen
  • Yeming Gong

Abstract

Purpose Although health question-and-answer (Q&A) communities have become popular in recent years, only a few communities have successfully retained and motivated their members to share knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the ways by which social capital and motivation influence knowledge sharing intention from the perspectives of health professionals and normal users in health Q&A communities. Design/methodology/approach The developed theoretical model integrates individual motivation and social capital theories. On the basis of a sample comprising 363 members from health Q&A communities in China, the authors tested the hypotheses by using structural equation modeling. Findings This study empirically finds that social capital positively affects intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, which then positively influence the intention of health professionals and normal users to share knowledge. Motivations of members fully mediate the effects of social capital on knowledge sharing intention. Specifically, intrinsic motivation influences knowledge sharing intention more for health professionals than for normal users, whereas extrinsic motivation influences knowledge sharing intention more for normal users than for health professionals. Originality/value This study explores the factors that affect the intentions of sharing knowledge in health Q&A communities by integrating social capital and motivation theories. Individual motivations can then bridge social capital and knowledge sharing intention. The effects of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of two user types were further examined and compared. These findings can extend the understanding of the underlying drivers of intention to share knowledge in the context of e-health.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing Zhang & Shan Liu & Xing Chen & Yeming Gong, 2017. "Social capital, motivations, and knowledge sharing intention in health Q&A communities," Post-Print hal-02312039, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02312039
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Cai & Youming Song & Xia Xiao & Wendian Shi, 2020. "The Effect of Social Capital on Tacit Knowledge-Sharing Intention: The Mediating Role of Employee Vigor," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(3), pages 21582440209, July.
    2. Chitra Singla & Ludvig Levasseur, 2023. "The role of family in unfolding the process of external corporate venturing in small family businesses," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 61(1), pages 105-126, June.
    3. Sun, Shiwei & Zhang, Jin & Zhu, Yiwei & Jiang, Mian & Chen, Shuhui, 2022. "Exploring users' willingness to disclose personal information in online healthcare communities: The role of satisfaction," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(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).
    5. Jiahe Chen & Yi-Chen Lan & Yu-Wei Chang & Po-Ya Chang, 2019. "Exploring Doctors’ Willingness to Provide Online Counseling Services: The Roles of Motivations and Costs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. Hindah Mustika & Anis Eliyana & Tri Siwi Agustina & Aisha Anwar, 2022. "Testing the Determining Factors of Knowledge Sharing Behavior," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(1), pages 21582440221, February.
    7. Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Mazzucchelli, Alice & Vessal, Saeedeh Rezaee & Solidoro, Adriano, 2021. "Knowledge-based HRM practices and innovation performance: Role of social capital and knowledge sharing," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(1).
    8. Adekunle Adedeji & Tosin Tunrayo Olonisakin & Johanna Buchcik & Erhabor S. Idemudia, 2023. "Socioeconomic status and social capital as predictors of happiness: evidence and gender differences," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    9. Jiyuan Dong & Xiumei Lai & Dali Zhao, 2022. "How incentive affects knowledge transfer performance in corporate user community: The mediating roles of users' transfer willingness and ability," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(6), pages 2249-2260, September.
    10. Hyeon Gyu Jeon & Kun Chang Lee, 2020. "Emotional Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Intentions in the Context of Competitive Knowledge Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-23, February.
    11. David Afandy & Agus Gunawan & Jol Stoffers & Yoke Pribadi Kornarius & Angela Caroline, 2022. "Improving Knowledge-Sharing Intentions: A Study in Indonesian Service Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-11, July.
    12. Abraham Gyamfi Ababio & Anthony Osei-Fosu & Emmanuel Buabeng, 2021. "Religious orientation and poverty in Ghana: associations and explanations," Journal of Social and Economic Development, Springer;Institute for Social and Economic Change, vol. 23(2), pages 377-396, December.
    13. Mohd Zarir Yusoff* & Mohd Saiful Izwaan Saadon & Nurul Haqimin Salleh & Tomingan Kamaron & Hanafi Ahmad, 2018. "Literature Review on Determinants Affecting Knowledge Sharing," The Journal of Social Sciences Research, Academic Research Publishing Group, pages 860-866:2.
    14. Yuanyuan Cao & Jiantong Zhang & Liang Ma & Xinghong Qin & Junjun Li, 2020. "Examining User’s Initial Trust Building in Mobile Online Health Community Adopting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, June.

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