Navigating the inception stage in online peer production communities: a comparative study on community building activities, user roles and interaction dynamics

PurposeThis exploratory, descriptive study examines the factors that might influence the success or failure of online peer production communities during their inception stage. It focuses on community-building activities, the roles of users and the dynamics of user interaction, aiming to shed light on practices that could contribute to a community's success at the inception stage.Design/methodology/approachBy comparing two Stack Exchange Q&A communities with the same timelines but opposite outcomes during their beta testing phases, the research utilizes quantitative methods to categorize community activities, define user roles via k-means cluster analysis and examine interaction networks using social network analysis.FindingsOur findings suggest the successful Mathematics Q&A community exhibited several distinct practices during its inception, such as the utilization of both external and internal tools, the development of community-specific tutorials and the strategic use of flagging functions for moderation. Eight user roles were discerned, with roles like content editors, metadata curators and gatekeepers being particularly prominent in the successful community. Additionally, a more densely interconnected user network characterized by active participation was observed in the successful community.Originality/valueConcentrating on the inception stage of online communities, this study uncovers insights into the dynamics at play in the early life of peer production environments and provides empirical observations that may assist in shaping strategies for new online communities. It stands out by comparing communities within the same period to understand factors that may influence their early success.