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Importance of the Study
The exponential growth rate of the
internet is without historical precedent and as such, many established
organizations and interest groups were caught off guard. Assuming the advent
of the information age to be a passing fad, some groups took a wait and see
attitude while others claimed an early stake in the new frontier. Like the
inevitable fall of a rollercoaster however, the dot com to dot bomb stock
market demise of the nineties demonstrated that not all early risers had the
stamina to win the race. Similar to tangible work space, the internet is not
magic and rules which both govern and define success in the real world are
not without correlation in the virtual. Nevertheless, people flock to the
internet like old time miners in the gold rush, seeking to represent their
cause with little regard to potential pitfalls and consequences. Therefore,
many web based communities fail to meet the needs of their target population
or the financial interest of the community sponsors. The continued growth of
the internet, coupled with emerging technologies for advanced application,
testify to the value of online representation and a systematic and educated
approach for those who would establish an online community.
Purpose of Study
The author of this study is a
competitive natural bodybuilder nationally known fitness writer. When
assigned the Final Project Topic of Web Based Communities, the author
decided to not only research the specified topic, but to understand how it
applies to the interest for which he is best known. Therefore, the purpose
of this study is to examine the history and types of web based communities
and to determine the presence of, or need of online community representation
for the natural bodybuilding community.
This study examines reasons that some web based
communities fail, and suggests a plan of action to improve the likelihood of
success. The study relies in part on the writer’s personal experience as a
bodybuilder and webmaster, as well as related literature in the field on Web
Based Communities. Additionally, the study attempts to define the purpose of
an online community as well as objective measures by which to define
success. Desire and nobleness of intent will not compensate for ignorance
and lack of planning, therefore, the study concludes with best practices of
other webmasters in creating viable, vibrant communities. Summarizing the
data, the author will then consider all previous data to rationally
determine the need, or lack of, an online community which represents the
interest of natural bodybuilders.
Overview of the Study
Web based communities are unique
among social gatherings in that the meeting location is virtual. The member
simply logs in from the comfort and privacy of his or her own home and,
using electronic media, communicates information, questions and opinions
regarding the topic at hand with a host of unseen others. No other means of
community offers the convenience, speed and anonymity of the online
community. Perhaps in part due to the simplicity of online interaction, a
presumption may exist on the part many developers that an online community
can be quickly established and become self sustaining with little effort.
Practice has shown however that a well rooted community can be compared to a
socio ecosystem in which the proper habitat, individuals, and support
systems are in place. The absence of any one of these elements can create a
lopsided environment which will not support the system as a whole. Adding to
the organic similarities, in her book “Community Building on the Web”, Amy
Jo Kim describes participants of web based communities as producers,
consumers and decomposers. In her analogy to an informational food chain,
Kim defines producers as those who contribute relevant content. Non relevant
data can quickly exploit system resources and render a community devoid of
purpose or meaning. Therefore she states, “Systems need to be in place,
which can turn the members into producers of content. The community should
try and tap into this as it moves away from the members being purely
consumers. “(Kim, Amy J.
Community Building on the Web.
Peachpit Press, 2000). A review of this book will further demonstrate that
the social dynamics of an online community will closely mirror those of its
offline counterpart. The Platonistic concept of “as above, so below” can be
construed in the information age to read, “as is the real, so is the
virtual”. Though the virtual community does lend itself to exceptions,
human nature tends to act as a leveling agent bringing both environments
into harmony, or disharmony as the case may be. Communities on both ends of
this spectrum exist to develop and build relationships in which information
and meaningful dialogue is exchanged. In the exchange of ideas within a
social group, the medium of exchange is not as important as the message.
Therefore, when considering an online community, the developer would do well
to consider social dynamics in the off line world.
The advantage of a
web based community over a traditional community is in the absence of
boundaries created by time and distance. In the virtual community, the rules
which govern the offline world can be bent, or simply do not apply. While
the negation of boundaries may facilitate social exchange, the difficulty of
managing such exchanges is compounded. The near seamless merging of social
intercourse with anonymity often exposes the best, and worst of behavior.
Returning therefore to the real world similarities, it is important that
rules of etiquette which govern behavior, as well as a means of enforcement
should be established. In consideration of the stated purpose and objectives
of the online community, rules which govern behavior are more likely to be
subjective than universal. Therefore, purpose is the underlying motivation
by which all activities of the community are to be evaluated.
Problem Statement
Software and online resources have made the creation of web based
communities a thing or relative ease. As a result, virtually every interest,
need or concern can be found represented in a form of online community. As
the literature will show however, maintenance of the community may require
expenditures which exceed the resources of the developer.
The questions to be answered from this study are:
·
What consideration should be given prior to creating a web
based community?
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Why do many online communities fail?
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How to define the purpose and goal of a community?
·
How to define success of a community?
·
Is there a need for additional community representation for
the interest of natural bodybuilders?
Rationale of the Study
The rationale of this study involves a hypothesis which addresses
the questions in the above paragraph. The hypothesis suggest that failures
in online communities can be attributed to a lack of planning and basic
understanding of communities on the part of the developer and that attention
to the same may help to assure the success and longevity of the community.
The study will further address availability, or additional need of web based
community resources in the interest of natural bodybuilding.
Scope of Study
The content of this paper is influenced to a degree by the
writer’s personal experience with online communities and experience as a
webmaster, bodybuilder and author. Limitations of the study include
the lack of available statistics indicating the percentage of the U.S.
population who consider themselves to be bodybuilders, or the percentage of
bodybuilders who join online communities. The writer therefore will rely on
statistics from his own web site, as well as published statistics from
listed online bodybuilding communities. Another limitation is that the
writer’s personal knowledge and interest may subconsciously influence the
direction of research as well as the summary of the data.
The terms “web based community”,
“virtual community” and “online community” have been used synonymously
throughout this paper to describe the social intercourse that occurs between
individuals in an online environment. Sociologist Barry Wellman (2001) more
formally describes "community" as "networks of
interpersonal ties that provide sociability, support, information, a sense
of belonging and social identity," Wellman further goes on to define
"digital community" as "a web of relationships that is enabled, enhanced, or
extended by digital tools."
This study therefore, will explore the various types of
online communities and the interrelated functionalities.
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