Online knowledge sharing in blockchains: towards increasing participation

Purpose This paper aims to propose a system dynamics model of blockchain online community knowledge sharing, with the following goals: to reveal the internal mechanism of blockchain technology on community knowledge sharing; to show the impact of blockchain technology on knowledge sharing; and to promote knowledge sharing and the self-development of blockchain online communities. Design/methodology/approach Based on the core characteristic factors of blockchain technology, including incentive mechanism, trust mechanism, information protection mechanism, etc., a knowledge sharing analysis framework is established. Through the use of the Vensim PLE (Personal Learning Version) software, according to the steps of “putting forward a dynamic hypothesis”, “establishing a system dynamic equations”, and then “model testing” and “simulation”, the article analyzes in depth the process and extent of the impact of the above features on online community knowledge sharing. Findings The results show that the blockchain incentive mechanism, trust mechanism and information protection mechanism all contribute to promoting an increase in the number of community knowledge sharing users, as well as in the total amount of knowledge shared. The results also show that the token reward in the incentive mechanism has in fact a higher degree of influence than the trust and information protection mechanisms. Originality/value At present, no research on the internal mechanism of knowledge sharing in blockchain online communities has been carried out. This article plays a complementary role in research in this field, and offers significant guidance for promoting online community knowledge management and online community development.