Modding as rating behavior in virtual communities: The case of rooster teeth productions

Abstract

Virtual communities that make use of social network site features blend known applications of virtual communities. These communities can be simultaneously social and commercial, organization sponsored and heavily relying on member interaction. We explore modding behavior that allows members to evaluate other members' contributions both with numerical value and qualitative rating. We show that approximately half of all members received mods on their comments, that the majority of mods given were positive, and that the amount of mods received for a comment was related to the position of the comment in the community website's thread. Contributing to the emerging literature of social network sites and virtual communities, we discuss implications for theory, future research and management. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.