The Impact of Hierarchical Privilege Levels and Non-Hierarchical Incentives on Continued Contribution in Online Q&A Communities: A Motivational Model of Gamification Goals
Abstract
Many online question-and-answer (Q&A) communities have tried to motivate knowledge contribution through the implementation of gamification mechanisms. We know little, though, about the effectiveness of specific hierarchical privilege levels (a.k.a. "leveling up") and non-hierarchical incentives (e.g., independent reputation gains and achievement badges) in promoting knowledge contribution. Drawing on goal-setting theory, expectancy-value theory, and other related theories, this study models how hierarchical privilege levels and non-hierarchical incentives serve as motivational goals stimulating continued knowledge contribution. By analyzing a rich dataset collected from an online Q&A platform, we find that closeness to the next hierarchical privilege level does, indeed, have a curvilinear relationship with continued knowledge contribution. Interestingly, non-hierarchical incentives, including reputation gains and granted badges, help to maintain continued knowledge contribution. Notably, user reputation diminishes the effects of both privilege levels and granted badges on future knowledge contribution. This implies that these gamification mechanisms, while potentially powerful for incentivizing user engagement in knowledge contribution, might not work as effectively for participants with already established reputations in the online community. This research provides theoretical and practical implications for motivating continued user knowledge contribution in online Q&A communities.
Recommended Citation
Chen, L., Baird, A., & Straub, D. (2022). The Impact of Hierarchical Privilege Levels and Non-Hierarchical Incentives on Continued Contribution in Online Q&A Communities: A Motivational Model of Gamification Goals. Decision Support Systems, 153 Elsevier.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2021.113667
Department(s)
Business and Information Technology
Keywords and Phrases
Expectancy-value theory; Gamification goals; Goal-setting theory; Knowledge contribution; Online Q&A communities
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0167-9236
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2021 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2022
Comments
Available online 04 Sep 2021