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Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Trust-Supporting Components in Virtual Communities for Patients
Journal
Journal of Management Information Systems (JMIS)
ISSN
0742-1222
ISSN-Digital
1557-928X
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2005-06-01
Author(s)
Research Team
iw6-init
Abstract
Trust provides the foundation for the successful implementation and operation of a virtual community (VC). Trust is an especially relevant success factor in online health-care communities. A look at existing communities leads to the conclusion that many VCs fail to meet requirements upon which trust is established. Based on the findings in the literature and the researchers' experience, this paper describes how trust-enabling functionalities can be systematically designed and implemented in a VC for cancer patients. Consequently, the outcomes of these design measures are evaluated. The evaluation results show that supporting trust can be achieved following a two-step model. The presented components support the perceived competence and perceived goodwill of the operators and the other members. Perceived goodwill and competence then support the process of creating and sustaining trust between members as well as between members and the operators of the VC and contribute to the successful implementation and maintenance of the community. The paper concludes with a discussion on further trust-supporting components yet to be implemented and gives recommendations for further research in this area.
Language
English
Keywords
access rights
anonymity
health care
online community
perceived competence
perceived goodwill
quality-assured content
transparency criteria
trust
virtual community
CCC
HSG Classification
not classified
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Sharpe
Publisher place
Armonk, NY
Volume
21
Number
4
Start page
101
End page
131
Pages
35
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
219437
File(s)