Success Factors of On-line Business Communities

ISSN： 1358-3948

Source： BT Technology Journal, Vol.20, Iss.3, 2002-07, pp. : 163-170

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Abstract

Technological provision is not always the key determinant for the success of on-line business communities. Community members should be provided with tools that are appropriate for the task at hand and are easy to use, and any new tools should be implemented at the beginning of the project. It is also important to ensure that relationship-based communication takes place as well as task-based communication. This paper examines five different on-line business communities across Europe to identify their success factors and to determine their different communication and information needs. The communities were studied using qualitative and quantitative methods to see if there were any new tools/services that could aid their tasks. The results obtained from each community were then used to make recommendations concerning technological provision and people issues relevant to professional on-line communities. This work was completed in collaboration with EURESCOM, the European Institute for Research and Strategic Studies in Telecommunications.