Ren, Yuqing, et al. "Building member attachment in online communities: Applying theories of group identity and interpersonal bonds." MIS quarterly (2012): 841-864.

This article investigates the factors contributing to the success of online communities by applying social psychology theories to understand how member attachment is developed. The study distinguishes between identity-based and bond-based attachments, implementing community features that enhance each type. For identity-based attachment, features included information on group activities and competitions, along with group communication tools. For bond-based attachment, features focused on individual member activities, interpersonal similarities, and tools for interpersonal communication. A six-month field experiment demonstrated that both types of features increased participants' visit frequency and self-reported attachment to the community, with identity-based features showing stronger effects, especially among new members. This research highlights the importance of applying social science theories to online community management and suggests practical strategies for enhancing member attachment and community success.