Arrasvuori, Juha, et al. "A model for understanding online communities." IADIS International Conference, ICT, Society and Human Beings. Vol. 22. 2008.

This paper introduces a comprehensive model for understanding online communities, focusing on their technological foundations, member participation, and the factors that influence it. The model categorizes participation into interactions with content and with other members, and identifies key elements like policy, privacy, trust, motivation, and roles that affect participation. It highlights how participation shapes member identity and offers a framework for analyzing, comparing, and designing online communities.