Motivational Affordances Research Articles

Empirical Investigation of Participation on Crowdsourcing Platforms

Crowdsourcing platforms have gained importance in recent times, and their success is dependent mainly on the participation of the crowd. Participation is a function of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Moreover, with the growing scale of information, the participants would need to focus on the quality of information to achieve sustainable participation. Our study uses game elements and information quality grounded in Motivational Affordance Perspective (MAP) to study the intrinsic and extrinsic participation on a crowdsourcing platform. We collected responses from 337 participants who are actively contributing to any crowdsourcing platform. Warp PLS uses partial least square structured equation modeling. The results confirm that the use of game elements positively promotes the participant’s intrinsic and extrinsic participation. We also confirmed that motivation is also positively moderated by the quality of information that the crowdsourcing platform shares with the participants. The results help in extending the theoretical arguments of MAP and self-determination theory.

Empirical Investigation of participation on crowdsourcing platforms- A gamified approach

Crowdsourcing platforms have gained importance in recent times, and their success is dependent mainly on the participation of the crowd. Participation is a function of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Moreover, with the growing scale of information, the participants would need to focus on the quality of information to achieve sustainable participation. Our study uses game elements and information quality grounded in Motivational Affordance Perspective (MAP) to study the intrinsic and extrinsic participation on a crowdsourcing platform. We collected responses from 337 participants who are actively contributing to any crowdsourcing platform. Warp PLS uses partial least square structured equation modeling. The results confirm that the use of game elements positively promotes the participant’s intrinsic and extrinsic participation. We also confirmed that motivation is also positively moderated by the quality of information that the crowdsourcing platform shares with the participants. The results help in extending the theoretical arguments of MAP and self-determination theory.

Wearable Activity Trackers: A Structural Investigation into Acceptance and Goal Achievements of Generation Z

ABSTRACT Background Consumers are adopting wearable activity trackers to stay healthy and monitor their fitness progress. Purpose The study investigates the acceptance of WAT by Generation Z users and draws upon achievement goal theory by theorizing how and why consumers use WAT. Methods Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze intentions to use wearable activity tracker by Generation Z. Further, the study hypothesized relationships of motivational affordances – self-monitoring, rewards, social comparison on intentions to use WAT, and goal orientations’ moderating effect. Results The SEM results indicated that the structural model had satisfactory levels of fit indices: χ2/df = 2.651, CFI = 0.955, GFI = 0.817, NFI = 0.916, TLI = 0.935, AGFI = 0.931 and RMSEA = 0.064. The moderating effect of goal orientations for the intentions to use WAT was significant for some affordances. Discussion The study suggests Generation Z users show intentions to use WAT. Motivational affordances resulted in intentions to use WAT with moderating effect of some goal orientations impacting the intentions. Translation to Health Education Practice Self-tracking using wearable technology and personal health management is gaining importance. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Motivational affordances and survival of new askers on social Q&A sites: The case of Stack Exchange network

AbstractSocial question‐and‐answer (Q&A) sites are platforms where users can freely ask, share, and rate knowledge. For the sustainable growth of social Q&A sites, maintaining askers is as critical as maintaining answerers. Based on motivational affordances theory and self‐determination theory, this study explores the influence of the design elements of social Q&A sites (i.e., upvotes, downvotes, edits, user profile, and comments) on the survival of new askers. In addition, the moderating effect of having an alternative experience is examined. Online data on 25,000 new askers from the top five Q&A sites in the Technology category of the Stack Exchange network are analyzed using logistic regression. The results show that the competency‐ and autonomy‐related design features of social Q&A sites motivate new askers to continue participating. Surprisingly, having an alternative experience shows a negative moderating effect, implying that alternative experiences increase switching costs in the Stack Exchange network. This study provides valuable insights for administrators of social Q&A sites as well as academics.

Empirical Investigation of Participation on Crowdsourcing Platforms

Crowdsourcing platforms have gained importance in recent times, and their success is dependent mainly on the participation of the crowd. Participation is a function of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Moreover, with the growing scale of information, the participants would need to focus on the quality of information to achieve sustainable participation. Our study uses game elements and information quality grounded in Motivational Affordance Perspective (MAP) to study the intrinsic and extrinsic participation on a crowdsourcing platform. We collected responses from 337 participants who are actively contributing to any crowdsourcing platform. Warp PLS uses partial least square structured equation modeling. The results confirm that the use of game elements positively promotes the participant’s intrinsic and extrinsic participation. We also confirmed that motivation is also positively moderated by the quality of information that the crowdsourcing platform shares with the participants. The results help in extending the theoretical arguments of MAP and self-determination theory.

Analyzing the relationships between learners’ motivation and observable engaged behaviors in a gamified learning environment

Over the last ten years, gamification has been widely integrated in digital learning environments as a way to increase learners’ motivation. However, little is known about engaged behaviors adopted by learners when using gamified learning environments. In this paper, we analyze learners’ interactions with a gamified learning environment to study learners’ engagement in this particular context and to identify the factors that influence engaged behaviors. We also analyze the complex relationships that exist between learners’ engagement and motivation. We conducted a large-scale field study in ecological conditions, involving 257 students (13-14 years’ old) in 12 classes, from 4 different middle schools. We identified a model of engagement that distinguishes two types of engaged behaviors: an achievement-oriented engagement for initially intrinsically motivated learners or high achiever learners, and a perfection-oriented engagement for low achiever learners. We show that each type of engaged behavior has a specific impact on the variation in learners’ motivation during the learning activity. This model contributes to a better understanding of how gamification can affect learners’ engaged behaviors and motivation during the learning activity according to their initial motivation and player profile. These findings open up new perspectives in terms of motivational affordances, as well as the design and dynamic adaptation of gamification based on learners’ interaction traces with the learning environment.

Gamified Wearable Fitness Tracker for Physical Activity: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Recently, gamified wearable fitness trackers have received greater attention and usage among sport consumers. Although a moderate amount of aerobic physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of many serious illnesses, physical inactivity issues are still prominent. Although wearable fitness trackers have the potential to contribute to physical activity engagement and sustainable health outcomes, there are dwindling engagement and discontinuance issues. Thus, examining its gamification elements and role in physical activity becomes critical. This study examined the gamification elements in wearable fitness trackers and their role in physical activity and sports engagement. A comprehensive literature review yielded 26 articles that empirically measured a variety of gamification features and the effect of the device on physical activity and sports engagement. The study suggests three key gamification themes: goal-based, social-based, and rewards-based gamification that can be a point of interest for future scholars and practitioners. Based on the review, we propose a conceptual framework that embraces motivational affordances and engagement in physical activity and sports.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Contact Tracing Applications: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

BackgroundFollowing the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital contact tracing apps have become prevalent worldwide in a coordinated effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, their uptake has been low and slow due to privacy concerns, the lack of trust and motivational affordances, and their minimalist design.ObjectiveThe objective of this article is to present a protocol for a systematic review of the main factors, including facilitators and barriers, that influence the adoption of contact tracing apps.MethodsWe searched seven databases, namely, Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed (MEDLINE), IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Digital Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, for relevant publications between October 30, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Three authors were involved in removing duplicates, screening, and selection of relevant articles according to the PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols) guidelines.ResultsAltogether, we retrieved 777 articles from the seven databases. As of May 14, 2021, we have completed the screening process and arrived at 13 eligible articles to be included in the systematic review. We hope to elicit, summarize, and report the main findings in the systematic review article by the end of August 2021. We expect to uncover facilitators and barriers related to app utility, data security, ease of use, and persuasive design that are deemed important to adoption of contact tracing apps.ConclusionsThe findings of the systematic review will help researchers to uncover the gaps in the adoption of contact tracing apps, and decision makers and designers to focus on the principal adoption factors necessary to create better and more effective contact tracing apps.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/28961

Gamification in freight transportation: extant corpus and future agenda

PurposeSeveral freight operations rely on human cognition and behavior. Tackling these aspects, gamification transforms activities to resemble game-like experiences. Since the freight transportation sector is rapidly adopting gamification, the purpose of this study is to provide an overview that synthesizes the state-of-the-art and plot future directions for research and the practice of gamifying this area.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of the gamification of freight transportation was conducted. After screening 691 studies, 40 relevant studies were analyzed.FindingsMost studies found positive psychological and behavioral outcomes from gamification. Literature mainly focused on tackling the operational-level issues of road and maritime transportation modes by implementing simulation games.Research limitations/implicationsBesides elaborating how gamification can improve freight transportation, the authors describe directions still uncovered by the current corpus, such as research design and temporality and the variety of modes and tasks.Practical implicationsPractical implications emerged from the studies, primarily focusing on understanding users, tasks and contexts, targeting different audiences and transportation modalities, and balancing motivational affordances, while considering the demands of the freight transportation domain, including dynamic, spatially dispersed environments and cooperation between multiple stakeholders.Social implicationsThe transportation of goods dominates much of the global economy and ecology. Therefore, gamifying this domain has a huge societal impact potential, especially related to issues of sharing economy, safety, environmental sustainability and social media.Originality/valueBeyond providing an original overview of gamified freight transportation, this study maps current research gaps and describes practical recommendations.

Examining the Effects of Feedback-giving as a Gamification Mechanic in Crowd Rating Systems

ABSTRACT Crowd rating derives a collective value based on massive homogeneous contributions from individual users, where using gamification design is a promising approach to encouraging users’ motivation and participation. Drawing upon self-determination theory and motivational affordances theory, this study investigates how different gamification objects, as building blocks for feedback-giving mechanics, affect users’ extrinsic and intrinsic motivation (i.e., compensation and enjoyment), which in turn affect their participation intention. We also examined the role of task complexity in moderating the gamified effects of feedback-giving mechanics. We conducted a four (gamification objects: leaderboards, progress, virtual characters, and plain) by two (task complexity: low and high) between-subject experiment with 402 subjects. The results suggested that feedback-giving as a critical gamification mechanic can motivate participants intrinsically or extrinsically. Specifically, leaderboards and progress positively influenced compensation, and leaderboards and virtual characters positively influenced enjoyment. Task complexity moderated the gamified effects of feedback-giving mechanics on compensation and enjoyment. With a higher task complexity, leaderboards even result in a higher level of enjoyment. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of feedback-giving mechanics in crowd rating systems, and practically, suggests that the design of feedback-giving and task complexity should be effectively integrated to reach compensational and enjoyable motivation to encourage user engagement in crowd rating activities.

Gamification for Family Engagement in Lifestyle Interventions: A Systematic Review.

The majority of chronic conditions that plague the USA are modifiable by lifestyle change. Lifestyle interventions that incorporate family members for social support and that use game design elements to engage family members have the potential to improve upon traditional interventions, which have largely been unsustainable. Determining the populations where family member support in a lifestyle intervention are present and the extent of gamification of lifestyle intervention components that engage these family members is an important and underexplored area of work. A systematic review of lifestyle interventions involving family members were reviewed for game design elements using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Game design elements related to engaged learning and motivational affordances from previous literature were included. Sixty-one studies met inclusion criteria. These studies reported on 50 independent interventions that were reviewed. Thirty-one of these interventions addressed lifestyle in those with a chronic condition, and 19 addressed lifestyle in those at high risk for chronic conditions. The majority of the lifestyle interventions included at least one game design element, yet overall there were limited elements utilized together. Compared with successful gamified programs that have greatly impacted a population's health behaviors, there were relatively a limited number of elements reported, particularly those that support social relatedness, such as meaningful storylines. Meaningfulness of the game design elements chosen and their arrangement was not apparent. Technology was under-utilized as a potential modality for intervention component delivery. Developing products to train researchers to properly apply game design elements to intervention components, as well as test their effectiveness, are areas for future research.

In Blockchain We Trust: Does Blockchain Itself Generate Trust?

ObjectivesThis study considers the affordance of users' perceived technological property of blockchains and investigates how users discover the possible actions that can be performed within blockchain media. With a focus on the role of trust, it analyzes how motivational affordances in blockchain media influence user experienceMethodsQualitative methods are used to obtain the depth of understanding and elicit the perspective of blockchain media. We then conduct a survey to analyze the affordance of trust in the acceptance of blockchain mediaResultsOur confirmed model indicates a heuristic dimension of trust regarding underlying ties to affective and technological affordances. These findings imply that cognitive heuristics affect users' decision making about privacy and security on blockchain media. These heuristics lead users to engage in uncertain and even risky transactions in blockchain media.ConclusionsDespite the exponential growth in blockchain development, there has been little attention paid on how technological innovations of blockchains can produce value in the media sector. Our findings provide a lens to understand the blockchain's usability problems by pairing heuristics to blockchain design and user experience principles.

The Use of Badges And its Impact on the Interaction Dynamics of a Mooc

Several research projects have been using gamified approaches as a way to develop media and information literacies in particular cohorts. Badges are one of the elements that is often used in these approaches and its importance and scope has been widely discussed in the realm of Educational Technology. In the scope of the GamiLearning project, a gamification strategy was designed using the badges’ engine of the SAPO Campus platform in order to provide continuous training in this field to a group of teachers. The particular training action reported in this article was implemented via the “Badges: how to use?” MOOC. Data obtained shows that the interaction dynamics patterns were very significant between the trainees, especially in terms of posts, comments and endorsements. These results suggest that the use of badges as a motivational asset can contribute to a more sustained engagement of students throughout the duration of the training action and, hence, to a greater ratio of completion of MOOCs. This article will present the data obtained in this MOOC and will promote a discussion about the motivational affordances of the use of badges in educational contexts.

Gamifying learning for learners

The majority of user models in gamification are based on user’s gamer personality. However, the motivations driving individuals’ learning behavior differ from their motivations when playing. There is no evidence that learners’ experiences in gamified activities are described by these models. Thus, an alternative model capturing learners’ motivational experiences and relating them to the motivational mechanisms of gamification design is needed. To fill this gap we propose a context-specific typology which groups learners based on their type of motivation and perceived ability associated with a learning activity. The purpose of this proposal is to provide a framework for connecting each learner’s type to a set of motivational affordances to which that type is susceptible. Facilitating the task of selecting motivational affordances matching learner’s type aids the design of customized gamified learning.

Narrative immersion for information literacy: A pilot study

AbstractAspects of storytelling may be leveraged to foster greater motivation in student research projects. Recognizing this possibility, the following mixed‐method pilot study explores the effects of reading creative nonfiction on student inquiry within an information literacy (IL) course to spark interest in their topic. Participants reported time‐on‐task and source exploration, responded to scales of narrative immersion, interest, and self‐regulation, then responded to reflective prompts. Results show a correlation between situational interest in the topics of IL and inquiry and mental and emotional involvement in a narrative. Further study, however, is necessary to establish the motivational affordances of storytelling and narrative in facilitating student inquiry. Such research may inform IL pedagogy and instructional design practices.

Understanding participant engagement in problem structuring interventions with self-determination theory

The importance of understanding how Soft OR methods work is increasingly being recognised. However, gaining insight into how participant engagement develops at the micro-level of a problem structuring intervention is an ongoing challenge. This exploratory study addresses the question: How do intrinsically motivating experiences of participants unfold in problem structuring interventions? A sensitising device for the study of motivational affordances in problem structuring interventions is proposed, grounded in self-determination theory, interaction aesthetics and the generic constitutive definition of problem structuring methods. Applying this lens to empirical episodes from a problem structuring intervention, eudaimonic and hedonic experiences of participants are made visible. In this way, the approach proposed in this paper contributes to an enriched understanding of how Soft OR methods work and enhances our conceptual repertoire for reflection on practice.

Gamification as a moderator for the impact of intrinsic motivation: Findings from a multigroup field experiment

Gamification, the application of game elements (i.e., motivational affordances) in non-game contexts, has shown a promising potential to increase individuals’ intrinsic motivation and to positively impact their attitudes and behaviors. However, few studies exist that empirically test the effectiveness of gamification applications in a controlled experimental setting. To fill this gap, we compared the results from gamified and non-gamified workshops conducted with Austrian students. A total of 384 individuals participated in this field experiment, 261 of whom were subjected to a multitude of gamified elements, while 123 served as a non-gamified control group. In the gamified context, the findings show a stronger influence of intrinsic motivation, as measured by enjoyment and curiosity, on attitude and behavioral intention, and a greater explanatory power of the model. Gamification therefore positively moderates the impact of exogenous motivational variables and amplifies the effect of intrinsic motivation.

The effects of security and traceability of blockchain on digital affordance

PurposeThis study takes an affordance approach to explain how users perceive the affordance of user action within blockchain and examines how it influences the subsequent user experience. Focusing on the effect of trust on cognitive processes, the authors analyze how affordances in blockchains affect the user experience.Design/methodology/approachThe blockchain affordances are examined through a two-stage process. The authors employ a qualitative analysis based on insights gained from the current literature and interviews. The authors then apply a quantitative survey to examine the role of trust in interactions with blockchain services. A structural user model was tested in which their appreciation of affordances of blockchain predicted the trust and satisfaction.FindingsUsers' appreciation for transparency and reliability explained to what extent they trust and are satisfied, thereby suggesting the heuristic roles of trust in blockchains. The study findings indicate a heuristic role for trust regarding underlying links to technological and affective affordances. A user's cognitive heuristics affect their attitudes toward blockchain, in which technological features are processed through users' perceptions and experience.Research limitations/implicationsThe model contributes to the conceptualization of security, privacy and traceability along with trust, which is then linked to transparency and reliability. The findings show how the frame of affordances gains explanatory power by being linked to the concepts of affect and emotion. The heuristics of direct perception of security–traceability–privacy (STP) can be used to understand the trajectory of heuristics and ongoing choices of blockchain.Practical implicationsThe study results offer a lens through which to address the technology's most common problems by pairing user experience principles and heuristics to blockchain technologies. This study offers insights into the understanding of user actions related to blockchains and into practical implications for developing trust-based services. The results guide the application and tailoring of motivational affordances in blockchain.Originality/valueWhile blockchain technology has gained popularity and momentum, there has been little research on how specific features of blockchain technology create value. This study contributes to the research gap by highlighting the role and dimension of trust in relation to STP in blockchains and provides meaningful implications for theory and practice.

Strava as a discursive field of practice: Technological affordances and mediated cycling motivations

The number of interactive fitness technologies, applications and networks which have gamified and biomedicalized real-world activities such as cycling have increased significantly over recent years (e.g., Endomondo, Fitocracy, Runtastic, Map My Ride, Nike+ Running and Zwift). Given the rising popularity of these Online Social Fitness Networks (OSFNs), it is important to understand their motivational affordances and the discursive communities of practice which they facilitate. Framing Strava as a case in point, the current article adopts a content analysis approach to data drawn from 162 registered cyclists on Strava to explore the motivational affordances and discursive practices dominant within the Strava OSFN. The perceived motivational affordances of the technology are shown to reflect a coherent Strava discourse relating to self-tracking, data, community and dependency.

Enhancing Students' Class Participation through Gamification: Creating Motivational Affordance, Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine if the method of gamification may improve students’ class participation during the deliverance of course content. Drive by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study believes that motivational affordance resulted from gamification activity may lead to psychological outcome, and this psychological outcome will lead to behavioural outcome. Methodology: The study was conducted using qualitative action research methodology with descriptive analysis in two classes of Enterprise Strategy course. Three phases were involved for data gathering. Main Findings: In phase 1, when traditional lecture was solely used, students seemed to be passive, indifferent and reluctant to participate. In phase 2, when traditional lecture is supplanted with gamification activity, students have participated actively. Similar results of phase 2 was found in phase 3, where different set of students were observed. Students also perceived that using gamification in classroom provide enjoyable and fun environment, attractive and exciting, besides enhancing knowledge. Students also perceived that gamification activity increases participation, improving motivation, creating competition, developing teamwork and bonding between students and instructor and should be conducted more. Application: The results of this study may be beneficial to students in term of new technique used in teaching and learning process through enhancement of knowledge circulation from lecturers to students or between the students themselves. The results may also heighten the awareness of instructors in identifying alternative tools besides conducting traditional lectures. The results also may encourage administrators in helping the instructors towards upgrading their teaching methods and performance using latest applications for the purpose of improving students’ engagement. Novelty/Originality: The findings from study add to the body of knowledge on the significance of using gamification in classroom in order to engage students in classroom activity.