Why users contribute knowledge to online communities: An empirical study of an online social Q&A community

Based on social capital theory, social exchange theory, and social cognitive theory, this study explored why users continuously contribute knowledge to online social Q&A communities. Empirical panel count data were collected from a popular Chinese online social Q&A community. The results from a negative binomial regression model with user fixed effects indicate that a user's self-presentation, peer recognition, and social learning have a positive impact on his knowledge-contribution behaviors. The findings can help guide the development and operation of online social Q&A communities. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.