%A Ye Teng,Han Lichuan,Xing Chunxiao,Zhang Yan %T Knowledge Dissemination Mechanism in Virtual Communities: Case Study Based on Complex Network Theory %0 Journal Article %D 2016 %J Data Analysis and Knowledge Discovery %R 10.11925/infotech.1003-3513.2016.07.09 %P 70-77 %V 32 %N 7-8 %U {https://manu44.magtech.com.cn/Jwk_infotech_wk3/CN/abstract/article_4258.shtml} %8 2016-08-25 %X

[Objective] This paper studies the mechanism of knowledge dissemination in virutal communities with the help of a new theoretical model. [Methods] First, we collected data from the virtual community GitHub. Second, we examined these data with social network and regression analysis techniques. Finally, we explored the influence of community member’s online position, physical location as well as attitude towards innovation to the knowledge dissemination speed and scope. [Results] We found that the number of online community members could change the scope of knowledge dissemination. The attitude towards innovation could affect the knowledge dissemination speed. The clustering extent posed negative effects to the knowledge dissemination scope and speed. [Limitations] This study was based on one virtual community. More research is needed to generalize the findings. [Conclusions] This study provides some strategical suggestion to virtual community management as well as members’ knowledge sharing and innovation activities.