Antecedents of researchers’ behavioral intentions to use crowdsourcing in science: a multilevel approach

Abstract

Crowdsourcing in science is a collaborative online process through which scientists involve a group of self-selected individuals of varying, diverse knowledge and skills via an open call on the Internet and/or online platforms to undertake a specified research task or set of tasks. It is a response to the call for more inclusive, responsive and transparent research in science. Despite the growing importance of crowdsourcing in science, little is known about which factors influence researchers’ behavioural intentions to use crowdsourcing in science. This study aims to identify factors that influence researchers’ behavioural intentions to use crowdsourcing in science, as well as to develop and test a theoretical multilevel model of researchers’ behavioural intentions to use crowdsourcing in science. We use a sequential mixed method: (1) focus group interviews with 36 researchers from six fields of science, in line with the OECD classification; and (2) partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), using a survey of 552 management researchers to test the model. Managerial and theoretical results show that the antecedents to perceived usefulness and perceived organizational support positively impact the intention to use crowdsourcing in science. Our study offers a new conceptual framework that presents antecedents relevant to scholars’ intention to use crowdsourcing in science. The results bring implications for researchers, managerial staff of institutions of higher education and decision-makers that can encourage researchers of crowdsourcing in science to further develop scientific knowledge in the field.