Understanding knowledge management behavior from a social exchange perspective

This study draws on dedication/constraint mechanisms of social exchange theory to understand how knowledge outcomes are formed in relational virtual communities (RVCs). We propose a model to explain how knowledge outcomes are affected by interpersonal relationship development, which is in turn affected by information technology (IT)-supported environments. We conceptualize interpersonal relationship as relationship rewards and guanxi, and IT-supported environments as presence and community involvement. The proposed model was validated through empirical data. Our results support this model. We provide discussion of these results.