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Encouraging solvers to sustain participation intention on crowdsourcing platforms: an investigation of social beliefs

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Abstract

Solvers’ continuance participation intention is central to the survival and development of online crowdsourcing platforms. This study integrates sense of belonging and social beliefs (i.e., perceived fairness and platform trust) to understand continuance intention. This study proposes that perceived fairness and platform trust are helpful to build solvers’ sense of belonging, which is assumed to be positively associated with sustained intention. Another core contribution points to the complementary relationships, that is, perceived fairness and platform trust help solvers derive meaningfulness from their attachment that encourages sustained intention. Using a sample of 290 solvers obtained from an online crowdsourcing platform, the empirical testing provides support for the significant and positive effect of sense of belonging, which can be derived from high levels of procedural fairness and platform trust. Interestingly, results further support the complementaries between sense of belonging and its antecedents on continuance intention. Some new knowledge and implications can be contributed by this study.

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Funding

Funding was provided by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: 72101122); Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (Grant Number: 1521552001003)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China

    Meng-Meng Wang

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  1. Meng-Meng Wang
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Correspondence to Meng-Meng Wang.

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Appendix 1: Measures

Appendix 1: Measures

Procedural fairness (PF) adapted from Gilliland [28] and Franke et al. [24].

  1. PF1.

    On Zhubajie.com, I have the right to voice my opinion during the task participation process.

  2. PF2.

    Zhubajie.com provides a transparent participation process.

  3. PF3.

    On Zhubajie.com, all solvers are treated equally during the participation process.

Distributive fairness (DF) adapted from Gilliland [28] and Franke et al. [24].

  1. DF1.

    In my eyes, the reward is split fairly between the solver with the winning solution and Zhubajie.com.

  2. DF2.

    In my eyes, the winning solution deserves the reward for my participating task.

Platform Trust (PT) adapted from McKnight et al. [44].

  1. PT1.

    Zhubajie.com provides good and reliable crowdsourcing services.

  2. PT2.

    Zhubajie.com cares about the well-being of the solvers.

  3. PT3.

    Zhubajie.com provides a secure trade system.

  4. PT4.

    Overall, I believe Zhubajie.com is trustworthy.

Sense of belonging (BS) adapted from Mowday et al. [45].

  1. BS1.

    I feel a sense of attachment with Zhubajie.com.

  2. BS2.

    I feel an obligation to Zhubajie.com.

  3. BS3.

    I have a identification with the principles of Zhubajie.com.

Continuance intention (CI) adapted from Bhattacherjee [9].

  1. CPI1.

    I intend to continue participating in the tasks on Zhubajie.com.

  2. CPI2.

    My intentions are to continue participating in Zhubajie.com rather than on other crowdsourcing platforms.

  3. CPI3.

    If I could, I would like to discontinue my participation in the tasks on Zhubajie.com.

Perceived benefits adapted from Kankanhalli et al. [35].

  1. 1.

    Participating in the tasks on Zhubajie.com can help me earn some money.

  2. 2.

    Zhubajie.com platform provides me a new chance for work.

  3. 3.

    Participating in the tasks on Zhubajie.com provides me with opportunities for increasing my knowledge and skills.

Perceived effort adapted from Barrick et al. [6].

  1. 1.

    I try hard to finish the task which I am participating in.

  2. 2.

    I need to put in effort into understanding the task requirements.

  3. 3.

    I need to input much time and effort to solve tasks on Zhubajie.com platform.

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Wang, MM. Encouraging solvers to sustain participation intention on crowdsourcing platforms: an investigation of social beliefs. Inf Technol Manag 23, 39–50 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10799-021-00340-w

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