Determinants of user-generated idea popularity in online knowledge communities: evidence from idea and user networks

Purpose This study investigates how firms can effectively identify popular user-generated ideas within online knowledge communities. It focuses on how structural characteristics of idea and user networks jointly influence the popularity of user-submitted innovation ideas. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on longitudinal data from Miui.com, we constructed idea networks and user networks respectively, and linked network characteristics to the popularity of user-generated ideas. Using social network analysis and pooled ordinary least squares regression with time fixed effects, this study examined how key characteristics of idea networks (i.e. the betweenness centrality of focal idea) and user networks (i.e. cross-idea membership overlap) affect idea popularity, and how network density within both idea and user networks moderates these relationships. Findings The results show that the betweenness centrality of focal idea is positively associated with idea popularity, whereas cross-idea membership overlap has a negative association with idea popularity. Furthermore, higher network density within both idea and user networks strengthens the positive impact of betweenness centrality and amplifies the negative impact of cross-idea membership overlap. This study demonstrates that idea structural attributes and user interaction patterns collectively determine the public attention received by user innovations. Originality/value By integrating idea and user network perspectives, this study advances understanding of how firms can leverage community network structures to identify popular user-generated ideas. It contributes to the literature on open innovation and user-firm co-creation by demonstrating the co-evolutionary dynamics between user engagement and idea diffusion.