Antecedents and consequences of social networking site knowledge sharing by seniors

Abstract

Purpose: Understanding elders’ experience and knowledge-sharing behaviors online have become significant issues in this aging society. In this study, the purpose of this paper is to summarize and validate the factors that influence the intention of elders to share knowledge online, and assess whether seniors’ knowledge-sharing behaviors affect their sense of meaning in life.Design/methodology/approach: In total, 49 senior students were invited as participants to join the social networking site (SNS) and share knowledge on the platform. After a month of knowledge-sharing activities, questionnaires were distributed to all the participants. All the 49 participants returned completed questionnaires. To verify the results obtained via the above quantitative data analysis, follow-up interviews were conducted with one popular computer instructor and four seniors (who are experienced users of the SNS). Open-ended questions were employed to understand the motivations for sharing knowledge in a virtual community and the benefits obtained from sharing.Findings: The results indicate that sharing vision, community identification, and social interaction ties are the main factors that influence the sharing of knowledge by seniors on SNSs. In addition, sharing knowledge on SNSs has a positive influence on seniors’ meaning in life. Follow-up interviews conducted also validate the results obtained.Originality/value: Understanding elders’ experience and knowledge-sharing behaviors online have become significant issues in this aging society. It can not only benefit younger generations but also enable them to age gracefully. Rare SNSs similar to the one used in the study were found on the Facebook during our research.