The give and take of online professional community
by Peter R. Hester
International Journal of Web Based Communities (IJWBC), Vol. 2, No. 3, 2006

Abstract: This study examines Online Professional Community (OPC) in two projects from inside/outside perspectives. Patterns of OPC participation and differences between online and f2f communities are discussed, as are means of facilitating the development of OPC. Both projects met cyber-archaeological criteria for OPC and cyber-ethnographic features contributing to OPC are identified. The majority of participants interviewed reported feeling a sense of belonging to OPC and engaged in the construction of online identities: 'Givers', 'Takers' or 'Lurkers'. The majority of project postings were contributed by a few participants, increasing the importance of understanding the factors that influence the construction of online identity.

Online publication date: Wed, 20-Dec-2006

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