Worker's reward sensitivity predicting motivation in crowdsourcing: self-approach achievement goals perspective

Abstract

Current paper investigates direct and indirect effects of workers' reward sensitivity (as represented by Behavioral Approach System) on motivation (measured with work engagement and levels of effort) in crowdsourcing platform. Furthermore, this paper analyses the mediating role of Self-Approach Achievement Goals in channeling 'initial energization' to motivational outcomes. A random sample of 320 taskcn.com workers was used in this study. The findings of this study showed that reward sensitivity was effective directly and indirectly, in positively predicting all motivational outcomes. Interestingly, the predictive relationship only related to self-based approach Achievement Goals and not in relation to task-based approach Achievement Goals. However, workers adopting self-approach and task-approach goals have higher Effort and Work Engagement exerted in crowdsourcing. These results could help crowdsourcing platform managers better understand the participants that working on the tasks, as well as find efficient ways of motivating workers. Targeting workers with higher reward sensitivity is beneficial for platform owners, providing the way to increase workers motivational outcomes at no additional cost, thus facilitating better results.