ECIS2018-MedicineAfrica-RiP FINAL.pdf (301.09 kB)
Members' commitment in online health communities: the case of MedicineAfrica
conference contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:36 authored by Petros Chamakiotis, Niki PanteliOnline communities have gained multidisciplinary attention in both the academic and practitioner literature. Some of this literature has taken a focus on online communities in the healthcare context (aka online health communities), with recent studies highlighting their potential to contribute to social value creation, for example by reducing the divide between regional and other health disparities. In this research-in-progress paper, we present a case study we conducted with MedicineAfrica; an online health community with the aim of improving healthcare education in countries with fragile healthcare systems. Based on interviews, online observations, and documentary analysis, our study explores: (a) the factors that enhance volunteer-members’ commitment to the online community, resulting in them staying longer than they initially expected; and (b) the impact of members’ commitment on the roles they undertake on the online platform. It is found that, with increased commitment, members of online health communities tend to undertake not just more roles but roles with leading responsibilities as well as take on initiatives for new online activities. We discuss our preliminary analysis so far, which is followed by the study’s implications and further research.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Proceedings of ECIS 2018Event name
European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2018): "Beyond Digitalization — Facets of Socio-Technical Change"Event location
Portsmouth, UKEvent type
conferenceEvent date
June 23-28Place of publication
Portsmouth, UKDepartment affiliated with
- Management Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes