Abstract

This study examines the group input and group process factors that lead to high-quality products in open content communities. A theoretical model was developed, based on the Input-Process-Output approach of group research in social psychology and on the Time, Interaction, and Performance Theory proposed by McGrath (1991). The model tests the relationship between input variables: organizational (Organizational Support), group-related (Group Size, Shared Experience and Group Heterogeneity) and individual (Member Competency and Member Activeness); process variables: group production, group well-being and member support: and an output variable: group effectiveness. A quantitative study of the detailed activity logs of Wikipedia, an open content encyclopedia, was designed using a sample of 10,000 group tasks. A partial least squared (PLS) statistical approach was used to test the theoretical model. This study shows the synergistic and overwhelming role played by group size and shared experience on both group process variables and group effectiveness. This project provides also evidence about (1) the positive effect of group heterogeneity on group production; (2) the positive effect of organizational support and member activeness on group well-being; (3) the positive effect of member activeness on member support; and finally, (4) the positive effect of organizational support and member activeness on group effectiveness.