Motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in virtual communities of practice: a perspective from system dynamics

Purpose: Although researchers have demonstrated a significant interest in motivation factors of knowledge collaboration, previous studies have seldom explored the dynamic interrelations in virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) over time that involve the iteratively melding of knowledge collaboration motivations and behaviours. Therefore, this study aims to unveil the interactive dynamics amongst motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoPs from a perspective of system dynamics (SD). Design/methodology/approach: According to the SD method proposed by Forrester, this paper develops an SD model of motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoP by identifying interactions of motivation factors based on behavioural theories, validating the proposed model by structural tests and behaviour tests involving historical data from 939 Wikipedians and analysing the impacts of policy regulations on knowledge collaboration behaviours in Wikipedia. Findings: In accordance with current literature, this study categorises intrinsic, extrinsic and community motivation factors of knowledge collaborations in VCoPs. According to the SD method, this study develops and validates an SD model to reveal interesting non-linear dynamics of these motivation factors which are neglected by prior studies. This study also conducts dynamic what-if analyses to suggest policy regulations to promote knowledge collaborations in the context of Wikipedia. Originality/value: Different from prior empirical studies which normally take on a snapshot of motivation factors, this study discloses a dynamic picture of their interrelations by unfolding their behaviour patterns over time. The main contribution of this paper is to develop and validate an SD model of motivation factors of knowledge collaboration in VCoP and to reveal and elaborate their dynamics for policy regulations in VCoPs based on simulation results.