Download or read book Identity and Leadership in Virtual Communities: Establishing Credibility and Influence written by Hickey, Dona J. and published by IGI Global. This book was released on 2014-02-28 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The presence and ubiquity of the internet continues to transform the way in which we identify ourselves and others both online and offline. The development of virtual communities permits users to create an online identity to interact with and influence one another in ways that vary greatly from face-to-face interaction. Identity and Leadership in Virtual Communities: Establishing Credibility and Influence explores the notion of establishing an identity online, managing it like a brand, and using it with particular members of a community. Bringing together a range of voices exemplifying how participants in online communities influence one another, this book serves as an essential reference for academicians, researchers, students, and professionals, including bloggers, software designers, and entrepreneurs seeking to build and manage their engagement online.