"How should I go from ___ to ___ without getting killed?": motivation and benefits in open collaboration

  • Authors:

  • Katherine Panciera;Mikhil Masli;Loren Terveen

  • Affiliations:

  • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota;University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota;University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Wikis and Open Collaboration
  • Year:
  • 2011

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Abstract

Many people rely on open collaboration projects to run their computer (Linux), browse the web (Mozilla Firefox), and get information (Wikipedia). While these projects are successful, many such efforts suffer from lack of participation. Understanding what motivates users to participate and the benefits they perceive from their participation can help address this problem. We examined these issues through a survey of contributors and information consumers in the Cyclopath geographic wiki. We analyzed subject responses to identify a number of key motives and perceived benefits. Based on these results, we articulate several general techniques to encourage more and new forms of participation in open collaboration communities. Some of these techniques have the potential to engage information consumers more deeply and productively in the life of open collaboration communities.