Leadership and Diffusion in Online Communities: Features of Language Use, Identity and Social Structure

The purpose of this dissertation research is to uncover the mechanisms that play a role in establishing innovation in online communities. In particular, this research examines how characteristics of language use, online identity and social structure can be used to characterize prominent participants, or leaders, and their role in creating and diffusing innovation. This research utilizes a number of methodologies including automated text analysis and information retrieval, as well as social network analysis, to further our theoretical understanding and inform the design and development of online communities that encourage participation and innovation in a variety of organizational settings.