User role and perception of requirements in a web-based community of practice

Authors: Tang, Jih-Hsin; Yang, Heng-Li

Source: Online Information Review, Volume 29, Number 5, 2005 , pp. 499-512(14)

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $38.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between users' role and users' perception of requirements in a web-based community of practice. Design/methodology/approach - Online survey and social network analysis were adopted in this study. Findings - The study classified user roles as advisors and two types of regular users (both aware of advisors and not); each type of user demonstrated different sets of requirement perceptions. The findings showed that user roles and the level of user involvement did have a significant effect on users' perceptions of requirements. Advisors paid less attention to the interface, communication and recommendation links than the regular users. Practical implications - It implies that high involvers (core members) are more appropriate for requirement elicitation, even though high involvers might not be the only candidates for requirements elicitation. Originality/value - Few articles discuss the relationship between user roles and requirements; therefore, the originality of this study is high.

Keywords: Communities; Online Operations; Worldwide Web; User Interfaces; Interface Management

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14684520510628891

Publication date: 2005-05-01