Designing an Online Community Checklist Tool (OC2T) Based on Online Communities Implementation Framework Using Three-Tier-Architecture

Shanmugam, Mohana; Jusoh, Yusmadi Yah; Jabar, Marzanah A.; Haizan Nor, Rozi Nor

This research introduces an Implementation framework (IF) to evaluate the sustainability of online communities. The appropriateness and importance of the components in the IF are validated by four experts from the academia and industry. Based on these findings, a prototype called Online Communities Checklist Tool (OC2T) is developed and evaluated. A user acceptance test using the Perceived Usefulness and Ease of Use (PUEU) instrument conducted with fifteen developers’ demonstrated overall feasibility and acceptability of the prototype. Results further reveal that the OC2T is beneficial in evaluating the sustainability of online communities. Finally, to sustain a successful online community, the present study aids by assisting organizations in their policy making through positive engagement of users involving online communities and to embark into OC2T components to prevent online communities from failing.