Knowledge order in an online knowledge community: Group heterogeneity and two paths mediated by group interaction.

Knowledge order in an online knowledge community (OKC) refers to a consensual version of collective knowledge in the creation of shared knowledge representation. Much previous research has been conducted in the context of the ordered structure of objective knowledge systems, but this does little to explain the microlevel order of knowledge after users contribute knowledge and achieve consensus through online interactions in OKC. Based on interactive team cognition theory and the stigmergy coordination mechanism, our research aims to investigate how knowledge and experience heterogeneity affect knowledge order effectiveness and efficiency through collaborative and communicative interaction. To test our hypotheses, we randomly collected the records of 250 articles from the English version of Wikipedia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling indicated that OKC favoring online collective knowledge order by limiting communicative interaction, as collaborative interaction is very effective in achieving knowledge order and in achieving it in a fast way. From our findings, scholars and practitioners are advised to pay attention to online knowledge order in the management and design of OKC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]