Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 14.9
Online and offline loops in HFS
Organizing information by On-A contributors makes information prospectability
higher and the cost of information behavior smaller. That is one reason why On-A
contributors enable more people to contribute to the HFS and accelerate online and
offline loops. In HFS, repetition of these loops will improve the quality and quantity
of information.
14.10 Conclusions and Implications
In this study, we examined the motivations behind information-offering on social
media platforms, specifically using a case of HFS in Japan. HFS is a phenomenon in
which a large, indefinite number of participants cooperate on a social media
platform to find information about a target.
Contributors to HFSs very rarely acquire any monetary reward. Nevertheless,
they still offer information. It is considered that the motivations of online
contributors stem from benefits to their information-handling skills, although the
motivation of offline contributors, especially Off-T contributors, is likely to be
more related to the awareness that someone desires the information in question. In
contrast, non-contributors do not offer information, even if they are aware of it.
We identified a new factor, 'information prospectability', as one that affects a
participant's decision about whether to offer information. Information
prospectability is subjective expectancy concerning the cost of information behav-
ior required to obtain information about a target.
To improve information prospectability in HFS, On-A contributors play an
important role by providing organizing and directing functions. Additionally,
these functions can increase the number of participants and contributors in the
midstream of HFS processes.
