Bateman, Patrick J., Peter H. Gray, and Brian S. Butler. "Research note—the impact of community commitment on participation in online communities." Information systems research 22.4 (2011): 841-854.

This study explores the motivations behind individuals' consistent engagement in online discussion communities, integrating seemingly conflicting theories of self-interest and altruism into a unified model. By applying organizational commitment typologies—need, affect, and obligation—the research illuminates how each form of psychological bond influences distinct participation behaviors: reading threads, posting replies, and moderating discussions. Findings reveal that need-based commitment is linked to thread reading, affect-based commitment to replying and moderating, and obligation-based commitment solely to moderating. This nuanced understanding of member commitment offers insights for researchers and practical guidance for community managers aiming to foster specific forms of engagement within online discussion forums.