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Paper Number
2095
Paper Type
Completed
Description
This study examines how changes between drawing inspiration from distant knowledge and focusing on local knowledge affect contributions in online communities. The research compares two theoretical frameworks for understanding knowledge generation: The tension-based view highlights the tensional perspective of initially engaging with distant knowledge before narrowing the focus to specific domains to foster creative behavior. Conversely, the foundational view posits that creative behavior requires local expertise before it is combined with insights from distant knowledge domains. We collected data from 15 Q&A forums hosted by Stack Exchange and used natural language processing to analyze users’ contributions and changes in interest. Our findings suggest that both theories explain knowledge generation. Individuals need to engage with more distant knowledge over time but also streamline their interests between local and distant knowledge domains to generate more valuable and novel contributions. The study enriches understanding of knowledge generation
Recommended Citation
Feiter, Tim; Resch, Christian; and Kock, Alexander, "Distant and Local Knowledge: Investigating the Effect of Changing Interest in Knowledge Generation" (2023). ICIS 2023 Proceedings. 11.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2023/socmedia_digcollab/socmedia_digcollab/11
Distant and Local Knowledge: Investigating the Effect of Changing Interest in Knowledge Generation
This study examines how changes between drawing inspiration from distant knowledge and focusing on local knowledge affect contributions in online communities. The research compares two theoretical frameworks for understanding knowledge generation: The tension-based view highlights the tensional perspective of initially engaging with distant knowledge before narrowing the focus to specific domains to foster creative behavior. Conversely, the foundational view posits that creative behavior requires local expertise before it is combined with insights from distant knowledge domains. We collected data from 15 Q&A forums hosted by Stack Exchange and used natural language processing to analyze users’ contributions and changes in interest. Our findings suggest that both theories explain knowledge generation. Individuals need to engage with more distant knowledge over time but also streamline their interests between local and distant knowledge domains to generate more valuable and novel contributions. The study enriches understanding of knowledge generation
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