User Information Satisfaction with a Knowledge-Based Virtual Community: An Empirical Investigation

摘要

Virtual communities provide online social spaces for individuals to share and exchange knowledge. The value of these communities however depends on user ongoing participation. User satisfaction is one of the most crucial factors determining the continuance of using an information system. In this specific context of virtual community, the content (information) is collectively created by members in the community. It is thus important to identify factors determining user information satisfaction. A theoretical model of user information satisfaction was developed and empirically tested with 240 current users of a knowledge-based virtual community. Among the four attributes of information quality, only perceived information relevance, disconfirmation of information accuracy, disconfirmation of comprehensiveness, and disconfirmation of information relevance have significant influence on user information satisfaction. This study has raised many interesting questions. Additional theorizing and empirical investigation for a better understanding of user information satisfaction in knowledge-based virtual communities are encouraged.