Contribution Behaviors in Distributed Environments1
研究了在地理分散的组织中，人们为何及如何通过信息技术自愿提供信息帮助他人，提出了包含意识、搜索匹配、形成传递三个中介机制的贡献行为模型。
In this paper, we develop a framework for understanding contribution behaviors, which we define as voluntary acts of helping others by providing information. Ourfocus is on why and how people make contributions in geographically distributed organizations where contributions occur primarily through information technologies. We develop a model of contribution behaviors that delineates three mediating mechanisms: (1) awareness; (2) searching and matching; and (3) formulation and delivery. We specify the cognitive and motivational elements involved in these mechanisms and the role of information technology in facilitating contributions. We discuss the implications of our framework for developing theory and for designing technology to support contribution behaviors.