Why users contribute knowledge to online communities: An empirical study of an online social Q&A community

•An empirical model was proposed to study users’ knowledge contribution behavior.•Self-presentation is positively associated with knowledge contribution behavior.•Peer recognition is positively associated with knowledge contribution behavior.•Social learning is positively associated with knowledge contribution behavior.

Based on social capital theory, social exchange theory, and social cognitive theory, this study explored why users continuously contribute knowledge to online social Q&A communities. Empirical panel count data were collected from a popular Chinese online social Q&A community. The results from a negative binomial regression model with user fixed effects indicate that a user's self-presentation, peer recognition, and social learning have a positive impact on his knowledge-contribution behaviors. The findings can help guide the development and operation of online social Q&A communities.