Digital Identity and Reputation in a Virtual Practice Network - Insights Using Linguistic Features

Abstract

Many studies have focused on the motivation of knowledge contributions in virtual communities. However, one of the most fundamental ways in which people present their knowledge contributions is through the use of language, and its effect on social identification and impression management has not been thoroughly examined. The goal of this study is to better understand language use in regards to reputation management in virtual practice networks. The study recognizes why participants on virtual communities, in the pursuit of higher status reputations, will generate better content, more specific to the collective and display better commitment. The research will also address how to evoke these social engagement and commitment behaviors, so that the network community is sustained. This research is valuable for academics and practitioners who seek to understand why people participate and commit to providing knowledge contributions in virtual practice networks.