Dover Y, Kelman G (2018) Emergence of online communities: Empirical evidence and theory. PLOS ONE 13(11): e0205167. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0205167

This research paper presents empirical evidence and theoretical analysis of the emergence of online communities. The authors identify several factors that contribute to the emergence of online communities, such as shared interests and goals, social norms, and the availability of communication technologies. The paper also discusses the role of network effects in the growth and sustainability of online communities, as well as the challenges and opportunities that arise when managing online communities.