The Internet has evolved in the last 15 years in such a speed and in such a mass that the world has changed dramatically. If in the year 1985 a normal West German student would have wanted to learn about new developments in the world he had watched news in the television or had read a newspaper. But if he wanted more specific information about something then there were no means left. Today at every minute of the day in every city of the world {with Iridium Satelite Phone coverage, it is possible to get an Internet connection at every point of the world} [www.iridium.com , accessed on the 18thof May 2005] every human being can receive every information she or he desires. We are in the information society!
That information we require can come from different sources. It can be trusted news service like CNN [www.cnn.com], a well known encyclopedia e.g. the Encyclopedia Encarta [www.encarta.com] or a rather informal source e.g. a virtual community like Well [www.well.com]... Wait a moment! You might ask yourself why after the most famous news network and the largest encyclopedia in the world I have mentioned a virtual community… The answer is clear the internet has evolved so much that today it is possible to get almost every answer you want from almost every specialist you want for free! [Concept from: Rheingold 1993, chapter 1]
What does it mean? It means that millions and millions of internet users are exchanging their thoughts and combining their knowledge for an exchange of information2. Declaration of my research question
As the subject of my paper is the “tasks of a community manager” I have thought which aspects of the work of a community manager would be an interesting subject for this study. Traditionally a management position is a position which requires academic knowledge; trust from the subordinates and a responsibility for the company and its employees. In the case of a virtual community manager, those three aspects are still the same. Since trust in virtual communities is part of another paper and erudite knowledge in the area of community managing is a very well spread area, the aim of the following 6 pages will be to answer my question:
“What are the responsibilities a Community Manager has to take care of?”. Classification of virtual communities
Table of Contents
1. Introductionary words about Virtual Communities
2. Declaration of the research question
3. Classification of Virtual Communities
3.1 Definition of a Virtual Community
3.2 Work Areas in Virtual Communities
3.3 Human Ressources infrastructure of a Virtual Community
4. Needs of Virtual Communities
4.1 Financial Needs
4.2 Technological Needs
4.3 Social Needs
5. Areas of Community Managing
5.1 Knowledge Management
5.2 Community Building
5.3 Supervision of Employees
5.4 Financial Oversight
6. Communication in Virtual Communities
7. Conclusions
Research Objective and Core Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to define and analyze the core responsibilities and tasks inherent to the role of a community manager within the context of virtual environments, providing a framework for understanding their management duties.
- The evolution and classification of virtual communities.
- Fundamental financial, technological, and social needs of online platforms.
- Strategies for effective knowledge management and community building.
- Approaches to the supervision of employees and honorary staff.
- Methods for maintaining financial oversight and facilitating communication.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Definition of a virtual community
A “Virtual Community”, a term invented by Howard Rheingold in his book “The Virtual Community” 1993, is a group of people who are connected online to each other by one equal interest. As there are several different kinds of virtual communities the ties may be more or less closer.
Derek M. Powazek the author of “Design for Community knows three kinds of virtual communities:
• Communities of support
• Communities of shared stories
• Communities of commerce
Communities of support are communities in which common people share their experiences with their own diseases or those of their close ones.
Communities of shared stories are used to tell personal stories and to receive feedback from other human beings to one self’s problems and events in life.
Communities of commerce center the idea of a company to promote their products or their brand name by inviting users to share their experiences with those products or brands online.
[Powazek 2001, 136-142]
Summary of Chapters
1. Introductionary words about Virtual Communities: Provides an overview of the rapid development of the Internet and its impact on information accessibility, positioning virtual communities as significant hubs for knowledge exchange.
2. Declaration of the research question: Outlines the scope of the study, focusing on the specific responsibilities a community manager must undertake to ensure the success and sustainability of a virtual environment.
3. Classification of Virtual Communities: Defines what constitutes a virtual community and categorizes them into different types based on their primary purpose, while also detailing the organizational infrastructure.
4. Needs of Virtual Communities: Examines the essential prerequisites for maintaining a community, including financial stability, technical infrastructure, and the underlying social elements.
5. Areas of Community Managing: Discusses the key functional domains a manager oversees, specifically focusing on knowledge management, growth, staff supervision, and budget control.
6. Communication in Virtual Communities: Analyzes the methods of interaction between members and how these communication channels are leveraged to foster community engagement.
7. Conclusions: Summarizes the diverse management tasks and reiterates the critical role the community manager plays in coordinating all aspects of the community's lifecycle.
Keywords
Virtual Community, Community Manager, Knowledge Management, Community Building, Online Interaction, Financial Oversight, Technical Infrastructure, Moderation, Social Needs, Employee Supervision, Communication, Digital Platform, User Engagement, Management Responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the professional role of a community manager, specifically exploring the diverse tasks and responsibilities required to maintain and grow a virtual community.
What are the main thematic areas covered in the document?
The document covers the classification of virtual communities, their technical and financial requirements, strategies for community building, and the methods used to manage communication and staff.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author seeks to answer: "What are the responsibilities a Community Manager has to take care of?"
Which scientific methodology is applied in the paper?
The work utilizes a literature-based analysis and conceptual synthesis, drawing on theories from established authors like Rheingold, Powazek, and Kim to define management practices in virtual environments.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body treats the categorization of communities, the essential infrastructure (technical and financial), strategies for member engagement, and the administrative duties of the manager, including budget and staff oversight.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Virtual Community, Community Management, Knowledge Management, User Engagement, and Digital Infrastructure.
How does the author define a "Virtual Community"?
Based on Howard Rheingold, it is defined as a group of people connected online through a shared interest, which can vary in depth and scope.
What approach does the paper suggest for managing employees in a virtual setting?
The paper discusses the need for both paid and honorary employees, highlighting the importance of moderation tools and innovative systems, such as the rating mechanism used by Slashdot, to maintain quality without overwhelming the staff.
- Quote paper
- Moissej Sverdlin (Author), 2005, Tasks of a community manager, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63737
