The state of virtual community cohesion: The vertical dimentsion

• Main Authors: Yusop, Nor Iadah, Mat Aji, Zahurin, Md Dahalin, Zulkhairi, Kasiran, Mohd Khairudin, Ibrahim, Huda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/19514/1/JTAIT%2088%201%202016%20%20161%20168.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/19514/; http://www.jatit.org/volumes/Vol88No1/18Vol88No1.pdf
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

This paper presents findings on a study on virtual community cohesion with the aim to determine the state of cohesion between the administrators and members of virtual community (i.e. vertical dimension).A vertical virtual community cohesion instrument from a previous study was adopted. It measures cohesion based on two constructs namely the Trust in administrators and Political participation.A survey was conducted involving 235 users of the social media.Descriptive data analysis was carried out on the respondents’ demography and perceptions with regards to the state of cohesion of the virtual community they were involved with. The overall mean scores of both constructs were found to fall into the low cohesion category, and this indicates that the state of vertical community cohesion is low. This reflects the non-political purpose of users of the social media in engaging in virtual community. However, more studies need to be carried out to confirm this.Nevertheless, both dimensions were found to be significantly influencing virtual community cohesion.