An Inner Superhero: Experiments on Information Sharing in Anonymous Virtual Communities

內在英雄：匿名虛擬社群中資訊分享的實驗

Daniel A. Sanchez-Loor(沈丹尼) ； Wei-Shiun Chang(張巍勳) ； Manuel A. Zambrano-Monserrate

《經濟論文叢刊》 Volume 52 Issue 1 (2024/01) Pp. 49-76

https://doi.org/10.6277/TER.202401_52(1).0002

Abstracts

In anonymous settings, the expectation of social benefits from information sharing is traditionally low, as public recognition is absent. However, numerous virtual communities witness active information exchange under anonymous aliases. This study examines the role of feedback mechanisms along with two factors - competition and social distance - on information sharing. Our experimental study, controlling reciprocity and anonymity, reveals that feedback mechanisms and reduced social distance promote information sharing, particularly positive feedback. The effectiveness of the feedback mechanism in these conditions can be explained by the self-verification theory, where sharing becomes a positive reinforcement of self-image. Our findings about information sharing offer relevant insights for firms aiming to enhance innovation and collaboration.

Keywords

Feedback ； Information Sharing ； Self-Verification ； Social Distance ； Virtual Community

Parallel abstracts

在匿名的情境中，傳統上對於資訊分享所期望的社會效益相對較低，因為缺乏公開的認可。然而，在匿名的別名下，許多虛擬社群卻出現了積極的資訊交流。本研究探討了在匿名環境下，回饋機制以及兩個因素－競爭和社會距離－對資訊分享的作用。我們的實驗研究，在控制互惠和匿名性的基礎上，顯示出回饋機制和減少社會距離有助於促進資訊分享，特別是積極的回饋。在這些情況下，回饋機制的有效性可以通過自我驗證理論來解釋，其中分享成為自我形象的積極強化。我們對於資訊分享的研究發現對於欲提升創新和協作的企業提供了有用的管理意涵。

Parallel keywords

反饋 ； 資訊分享 ； 自我驗證 ； 社會關係距離 ； 虛擬社區

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