Exploring Users’ Motivation to Contribute in Online Platforms

In this proposal, two studies on users’ motivations for contribution in online platforms are presented. The first study aims to investigate users’ dynamic contribution pattern in reward- based crowdfunding. We construct our unique dataset based on bi-hour crawling of project- related information from Kickstarter. By analyzing backers’ contribution and referral patterns before, during, and after the threshold, we show that users are more likely to help rather than to pre-order the projects. The second study focuses on the effect of monetary incentive on users’ voluntary contributions in Q&A platform. We find monetary intervention can create a positive spillover effect on users’ free content creation. Our results provide support that users contribute in order to improve their reputation. Overall, these two studies contribute to a better understanding of users’ motivations for contribution in crowdfunding and Q&A platforms. They have direct managerial implications to platform owners