Classification Schema for Online Communities Jonathan Lazar Jennifer Preece Department of Information Systems University of Maryland Baltimore County Abstract A synthesis of the literature suggests that the key characteristics for classifying online communities are: (i)their attributes, (ii) supporting software, (iii) their relationship to physical communities, and (iv) the sociological concept of boundedness. A classification schema based on these four characteristics is presented in this paper. Examples of each type of community are discussed. These classification schema have important implications for the design and management of online communities.
Would you like to comment?
Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.
Page Comments
Jonathan Lazar
Jennifer Preece
Department of Information Systems
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Abstract
A synthesis of the literature suggests that the key characteristics for classifying online
communities are: (i)their attributes, (ii) supporting software, (iii) their relationship to
physical communities, and (iv) the sociological concept of boundedness. A classification
schema based on these four characteristics is presented in this paper. Examples of each
type of community are discussed. These classification schema have important
implications for the design and management of online communities.
Would you like to comment?
Join Diigo for a free account, or sign in if you are already a member.