Leaders in online communities

In online communities, tremendous work can be done without formal control structures, hierarchy or control mechanisms. Online communities are loosely coordinated, self-organizing and voluntary.
Leaders in online communities are not the one having the greatest number of postings, or queries answered, though participation and tenure are important factors, positively correlated with leadership.

Leaders are recognized for their independent judgment and expertise.

They have more interaction with members of the community than any other members.

Source : “Leading knowledge Collaboration in Online Communities”, S. kudaravallu, S. Faraj & M. Wasko, MIS Quarterly, 2015.