These results have implications for VC organizers as well as VC researchers. For researchers, the interpersonal relationship perspective of VC participation not only offers a comprehensive theoretical framework but also opens a new perspective for future research. / This dissertation contributes to virtual community research by proposing and empirically validating an exploratory theoretical framework from the interpersonal relationship perspective using two interpersonal behavior theories---the Triandis interpersonal behavior model and FIRO (Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation) to explain two types of VC participation---BOI (Behavior to Obtain Information) and BGI (Behavior to Give Information). Data was collected in three representative Chinese VCs. Data analysis results showed that the two interpersonal relationship theories are effective in explaining VC participation. Specifically, 53% of the variance of BOI and 41% of the variance of BGI are explained by the Triandis model. VC participation habit is found to have the largest positive effect on BOI and BGI. BOI also has a positive effect on BGI. The conclusion from the FIRO theory is that the three dimensions of FIRO---inclusion, control, and affection---constructed in two directions, wanted and expressed, significantly influence VC participation. Wanted and expressed inclusion have positive effects on both BOI and BGI; expressed control has a positive effect on BGI, and wanted control has a positive effect on both BOI and BGI; and expressed affection has a positive effect on BGI, and wanted affection has a positive effect on both BOI and BGI. / Virtual communities (VCs) have emerged as one of the most popular Internet services during the last decade and have been effective tools in knowledge management, customer relationship management, and other business related functions. The growth of VCs is crucial to VC operation, which mainly depends on the members and their participation. Only after the aggregation of a critical mass of members can VCs accumulate invaluable information and diversity to generate revenue for the VC organizers. Thus, understanding of VC participation is of importance to VC organizers. Although VC participation has been explored from diverse perspectives, few studies can offer a comprehensive theoretical framework to explain why people participate in VCs. / Li Honglei. / "September 2006." / Adviser: Siu King Vincent Lai. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-08, Section: A, page: 3482. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-169). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:cuhk.edu.hk/oai:cuhk-dr:cuhk_343804 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Contributors | Li, Honglei, Chinese University of Hong Kong Graduate School. Division of Business Administration. |
| Source Sets | The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
| Language | English, Chinese |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, theses |
| Format | electronic resource, microform, microfiche, 1 online resource (xiv, 189 p. : ill.) |
| Rights | Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons “Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International” License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) |
Page generated in 0.0021 seconds