Ren, Yuqing, Robert Kraut, and Sara Kiesler. "Applying common identity and bond theory to design of online communities." Organization studies 28.3 (2007): 377-408.

The paper discusses the critical role of community design in fostering member commitment and participation in online communities. It emphasizes how site navigation, community structure, features, and organizational policies shape member interactions, information exchange, and engagement in community activities. The paper argues that design choices directly impact members' attachment to the community, drawing on common identity theory and common bond theory to explore the dynamics of group attachment. Common identity theory focuses on attachment to the group as a whole, while common bond theory looks at attachment to individual members. The analysis reveals how specific design decisions, such as strategies for newcomer recruitment, retention of existing members, moderation of discussions, and management of group size, influence the development of common identity or interpersonal bonds, leading to varying levels of and forms of participation in the community.