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
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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: 10.1108/14684520510628891
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