How online lurking contributes value to E-participation: A conceptual approach to evaluating the role of lurkers in e-participation

This conceptual paper looks at the online behavior known as lurking, the value of lurking and how it contributes to e-participation and innovation in public administrations. Online lurking is often defined using negative terms, but it is argued in this paper that positive definitions may be more appropriate and using Takahashi's definition of “active lurkers” can show how online participation that is not visible may have an impact in online participation and e-participation by engaging in activities such as listening, acting as an audience, using, propagating and sharing knowledge. This works represents a contribution to a more differentiated understanding of online participation. It aims to show that lurking represents many online behaviors that may not always be visible, but are important in online contexts, as they represent participants who are active and may contribute valuable and innovative information. The role and value of lurkers is considered in general for online participation and specifically for e-participation and public administration.