UC Davis

This dissertation bridges the literatures on Sense of Virtual Community and Online Governance, offering an empirical examination of how governance structures shape the community experience within online contexts. Through an interdisciplinary, multi-method approach, capturing the perspectives of both community members and moderators, these studies provide a nuanced understanding of governance dynamics. Collectively, the series of studies presented in this dissertation underscore the necessity for flexible, context-specific governance strategies that are tailored to meet the unique needs of diverse online community participants.

The first study, presented in Chapter 2, introduces the results from an online survey with 1,080 community members, which examined the relationship between social control, formal control, participatory governance, and the sense of virtual community. Findings revealed that while participatory governance and social control individually enhanced the sense of community, their interaction was negative, suggesting that combining these mechanisms might actually reduce community cohesion, particularly in settings where both are heavily implemented. This study also highlighted that participatory governance is particularly beneficial in larger communities, supporting the idea that inclusive, pluralist governance processes can significantly boost community cohesion, from the perspective of community members.

The second study, presented in Chapter 3, shifts the focus on the often overlooked community moderators, utilizing a survey of 605 community leaders from Reddit to investigate how different governance approaches impact their psychological well-being. Contrary to prevailing assumptions that participatory processes are universally beneficial, this study reveals that more centralized governance structures might better support moderators' feelings of belonging and acceptance. This highlights the complexities and trade-offs associated with various governance approaches, emphasizing the challenges of balancing democratic engagement with the need for effective governance in volunteer-driven platforms.

The third study employs a mixed-method approach, integrating survey responses and digital trace data from Reddit's API to assess the interplay between governance resources, in shaping moderators' sense of community. Findings suggest that while participatory governance and larger moderator teams generally enhance moderators’ sense of community, the effectiveness of participatory governance may also depend on the existing regulatory structure, including the number of rules and moderators. This emphasizes the importance of designing governance systems that consider the specific contexts and needs of different online communities.

Taken together, these studies offer important insights into the complex dynamics of online governance, underscoring the importance of balancing the needs of both community members and moderators. This dissertation not only advances our theoretical understanding but also offers practical guidance for developing effective, responsive governance strategies in the evolving landscape of online communities.