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Title

Taxonomy of online communities: ownership and value propositions

Author(s)

Hunter, M. G.;  Stockdale, Rosemary

Abstract

This paper focuses on online communities and describes how they can be differentiated from other Internet supported group interactions. A definition of an online community is given and three specific generic types are identified. These types are defined by the community ownership models based on the value proposition for the owners. The value proposition for members is strongly influenced by the ownership model as facilities and opportunities for interaction are structured by the site owners. Where online communities offer fulfillment of specific needs, people participate and become members. Additional benefits will enhance the value of membership and encourage retention and greater interactivity. There appear to be significant benefits to be gained from online communities for businesses, NGOs and other community organizations as well as individuals as owners and members. Identifying the different types of communities and their characteristics is an important stage in developing greater understanding of how virtual communities can contribute to businesses, healthcare, community needs and a myriad of other contexts.

Publication type

Conference paper

Source

Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), Waikoloa, Hawaii, United States, 05-08 January 2009 / Ralph H. Sprague Jr. (ed.)

Publication year

2009

Keyword(s)

Community organisations;  Community ownerships;  Generic types;  Group interactions;  Interactivity;  Online communities;  Online systems;  Ownership models;  Taxonomies;  Value propositions;  Virtual communities;  Virtual reality

Publisher

IEEE

ISBN

9780769534503, 0769534503

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/HICSS.2009.934

Copyright

Copyright © 2009 IEEE. Published version of the paper reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.

Full text

Peer reviewed