Contribution behaviors in distributed environments

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Olivera, Fernando; Goodman, Paul S.; Tan, Sharon Swee-Lin
• 署名单位: Western University (University of Western Ontario); University Western Ontario Hospital; Carnegie Mellon University; National University of Singapore
• 刊物名称: MIS QUARTERLY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0276-7783
• 发表日期: 2008
• 页码: 23-42
• 关键词: KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT; weak ties; INFORMATION; systems; COMMUNICATION; TECHNOLOGY; mechanisms; communities; networks; search

摘要

In this paper, we develop a framework for understanding contribution behaviors, which we define as voluntary acts of helping others by providing information. Our focus is on why and how people make contributions in geographically distributed organizations where contributions occur primarily through information technologies. We develop a model of contribution behaviors that delineates three mediating mechanisms: (1) awareness; (2) searching and matching; and (3) formulation and delivery. We specify the cognitive and motivational elements involved in these mechanisms and the role of information technology in facilitating contributions. We discuss the implications of our framework for developing theory and for designing technology to support contribution behaviors.