Graduate Student Research Symposium 2025

Online communities foster informal learning through shared interests and knowledge exchange. Members commonly engage in expertise sharing, problem-solving, and innovation, driven by diverse motivations, including social connection and identity formation. A common form of participation is knowledge sharing which can promote community activity. Active participation is crucial for community sustainability, yet many members “lurk,” hindering vibrancy.

A potential key factor influencing participation is sense of belonging. Perceived supportive environments encourage engagement, but the specific role of belonging in relation to knowledge sharing remains unclear, especially from the perspectives of online community members.

Thus, this qualitative basic interpretive dissertation study aims to examine member perceptions between sense of belonging and knowledge sharing in online communities.