关键词: 跨边界连接行为, 结构洞, 创意贡献质量, 在线社区, 信息行为

Abstract: In the context of open innovation, companies can obtain user-generated ideas through online communities to foster innovation development. However, differences in information topics and directions create information boundaries that limit cross-domain information flow and application, thereby hindering the generation of high-quality user ideas. Using users of Zhihu as the research object, this paper aims to identify patterns of user boundary spanning connection behaviors and constructs a mechanism model to explain the influence of these behaviors on idea contribution quality. It conducts empirical tests to test the model using ordinary least squares regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models. The findings show that boundary spanning connection behavior encompasses both cross-domain connections and same-domain connections. Cross-domain connection behavior enhances both the novelty and usefulness of user contributions, while same-domain connection behavior primarily fosters usefulness of idea contributions. Structural holes weaken the positive effect of cross-domain connections on the novelty of idea contributions, while strengthening the positive relationship between same-domain connections on the usefulness of idea contributions. In addition, users with high social activity preferences are more inclined to engage in cross-domain connections, while those with high professional contribution preferences focus more on same-domain connections. This paper provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the quality of user idea contributions and offers practical implications for personal information management and corporate innovation development.

Key words: boundary spanning connection behavior, structural hole, idea contribution quality, online community, information behavior