Phang, Chee Wei, Atreyi Kankanhalli, and Rajiv Sabherwal. "Usability and sociability in online communities: A comparative study of knowledge seeking and contribution." Journal of the association for Information Systems 10.10 (2009): 2.

This study explores the dynamics of knowledge seeking and contribution within online learning communities, focusing on how usability and sociability impact these key activities. By adopting a socio-technical perspective, the research identifies specific dimensions of usability (such as ease of use and system reliability) and sociability (such as moderator perception and social interactivity) that influence users' engagement in knowledge seeking and contribution. Through a survey conducted among users of a learning-focused community system, findings reveal that individuals prioritize different aspects of usability and sociability depending on whether they are seeking or contributing knowledge. For instance, ease of use and system reliability are deemed crucial for knowledge seeking, while tracking fulfillment and social interactivity are more valued for knowledge contribution. This nuanced understanding of user preferences highlights the importance of tailoring online community platforms to support both knowledge seeking and contribution effectively, offering valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners in the field.