IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i22p9732-d449176.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Investigation on the Use by Academic Researchers of Knowledge from Scientific Social Networking Sites

Author

Listed:
  • Vincenzo Corvello

    (Energy and Management Engineering, Department of Mechanical, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Maria Cristina Chimenti

    (Energy and Management Engineering, Department of Mechanical, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Carlo Giglio

    (Environmental and Material Engineering, Department of Civil, Energy, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • Saverino Verteramo

    (Energy and Management Engineering, Department of Mechanical, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

Abstract

Scientific social networking sites like ResearchGate or Academia.edu have become part of the work practice of academic researchers. These digital platforms have been designed precisely to encourage the exchange of knowledge between scholars and to help the expansion of collaborative networks among them. Even if studies on this topic have multiplied in recent years, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of these platforms on scientific production. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between the attitude of researchers towards scientific social networks and the use of knowledge in their scientific work. Data from users of the scientific social networking site ResearchGate were collected. A total of 143 valid responses were received and structural equation modeling was applied for data analysis. Findings of this study confirmed that researchers use knowledge obtained from scientific social networking sites both incorporating it within their research products and to acquire new competences. In particular approaching the platform as a scientific community with a shared language and a shared vision was found to have a positive impact on knowledge use. To the best knowledge of the authors this is the first study investigating the actual use of knowledge from scientific social networking sites by academic researchers. Results help us to understand the impact of these platforms on the work practice of a strategic sector like scientific research.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Corvello & Maria Cristina Chimenti & Carlo Giglio & Saverino Verteramo, 2020. "An Investigation on the Use by Academic Researchers of Knowledge from Scientific Social Networking Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9732-:d:449176
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/22/9732/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/22/9732/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Auranen, Otto & Nieminen, Mika, 2010. "University research funding and publication performance--An international comparison," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 822-834, July.
    2. Elizabeth A. Corley & Barry Bozeman & Xuefan Zhang & Chin-Chang Tsai, 2019. "The expanded scientific and technical human capital model: the addition of a cultural dimension," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 681-699, June.
    3. Jongwook Lee & Sanghee Oh & Hang Dong & Fang Wang & Gary Burnett, 2019. "Motivations for self‐archiving on an academic social networking site: A study on researchgate," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 70(6), pages 563-574, June.
    4. Shichao Pang & Peng Bao & Wenyuan Hao & Jaewoong Kim & Wei Gu, 2020. "Knowledge Sharing Platforms: An Empirical Study of the Factors Affecting Continued Use Intention," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, March.
    5. Lee Cronbach, 1951. "Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 16(3), pages 297-334, September.
    6. Yan, Weiwei & Zhang, Yin, 2018. "Research universities on the ResearchGate social networking site: An examination of institutional differences, research activity level, and social networks formed," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(1), pages 385-400.
    7. Defazio, Daniela & Lockett, Andy & Wright, Mike, 2009. "Funding incentives, collaborative dynamics and scientific productivity: Evidence from the EU framework program," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 293-305, March.
    8. Jie Zhao & Chanjuan Zhu & Zhixiang Peng & Xin Xu & Yan Liu, 2018. "User Willingness toward Knowledge Sharing in Social Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-27, December.
    9. John Horn, 1965. "A rationale and test for the number of factors in factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 30(2), pages 179-185, June.
    10. Anika Ostermaier‐Grabow & Stephanie B. Linek, 2019. "Communication and Self‐Presentation Behavior on Academic Social Networking Sites: An Exploratory Case Study on Profiles and Discussion Threads on ResearchGate," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 70(10), pages 1153-1164, October.
    11. Hamid R. Jamali, 2017. "Copyright compliance and infringement in ResearchGate full-text journal articles," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 112(1), pages 241-254, July.
    12. Miltiadis D. Lytras & Anna Visvizi & Linda Daniela & Akila Sarirete & Patricia Ordonez De Pablos, 2018. "Social Networks Research for Sustainable Smart Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, August.
    13. Manuel Gómez‐Solórzano & Marco Tortoriello & Giuseppe Soda, 2019. "Instrumental and affective ties within the laboratory: The impact of informal cliques on innovative productivity," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(10), pages 1593-1609, October.
    14. Wei Jeng & Daqing He & Jiepu Jiang, 2015. "User participation in an academic social networking service: A survey of open group users on Mendeley," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 66(5), pages 890-904, May.
    15. Shannon Mason, 2020. "Adoption and usage of Academic Social Networks: a Japan case study," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 122(3), pages 1751-1767, March.
    16. Jiang, Guoyin & Shang, Jennifer & Liu, Wenping & Feng, Xiaodong & Lei, Junli, 2020. "Modeling the dynamics of online review life cycle: Role of social and economic moderations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 285(1), pages 360-379.
    17. Weiwei Yan & Yin Zhang & Wendy Bromfield, 2018. "Analyzing the follower–followee ratio to determine user characteristics and institutional participation differences among research universities on ResearchGate," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(1), pages 299-316, April.
    18. Han, Heesup & Hsu, Li-Tzang (Jane) & Sheu, Chwen, 2010. "Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior to green hotel choice: Testing the effect of environmental friendly activities," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(3), pages 325-334.
    19. Lepori, Benedetto & Thelwall, Michael & Hoorani, Bareerah Hafeez, 2018. "Which US and European Higher Education Institutions are visible in ResearchGate and what affects their RG score?," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 806-818.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sergio Copiello, 2019. "Research Interest: another undisclosed (and redundant) algorithm by ResearchGate," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 120(1), pages 351-360, July.
    2. Łukasz Wiechetek & Zbigniew Pastuszak, 2022. "Academic social networks metrics: an effective indicator for university performance?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(3), pages 1381-1401, March.
    3. Sergio Copiello & Pietro Bonifaci, 2019. "ResearchGate Score, full-text research items, and full-text reads: a follow-up study," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 119(2), pages 1255-1262, May.
    4. Vivek Kumar Singh & Satya Swarup Srichandan & Hiran H. Lathabai, 2022. "ResearchGate and Google Scholar: how much do they differ in publications, citations and different metrics and why?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(3), pages 1515-1542, March.
    5. Weiwei Yan & Xin Wen & Yin Zhang & Sonali Kudva & Qian Liu, 2023. "The dynamics of Q&A in academic social networking sites: insights from participants, interaction network, response time, and discipline differences," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 128(3), pages 1895-1922, March.
    6. Shannon Mason & Yusuke Sakurai, 2021. "A ResearchGate-way to an international academic community?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(2), pages 1149-1171, February.
    7. Weiwei Yan & Qian Liu & Ruoyu Chen & Shengwei Yi, 2020. "Social networks formed by follower–followee relationships on academic social networking sites: an examination of corporation users," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 124(3), pages 2083-2101, September.
    8. Perri, Cecilia & Giglio, Carlo & Corvello, Vincenzo, 2020. "Smart users for smart technologies: Investigating the intention to adopt smart energy consumption behaviors," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    9. Elise Verot & Paul Bonjean & Robin Chaux & Julie Gagnaire & Amandine Gagneux-Brunon & Bruno Pozzetto & Philippe Berthelot & Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers & Franck Chauvin, 2022. "Development and Validation of the COVID-19 Knowledges and Behavior Questionnaire in a French Population (CoVQuest-CC)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, February.
    10. Hauck, Jana & Suess-Reyes, Julia & Beck, Susanne & Prügl, Reinhard & Frank, Hermann, 2016. "Measuring socioemotional wealth in family-owned and -managed firms: A validation and short form of the FIBER Scale," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 133-148.
    11. Karacic, Domagoj & Miskulin, Ivan & Serdarusic, Hrvoje, 2016. "State Investment In Science And Scientific Productivity Of Universities," UTMS Journal of Economics, University of Tourism and Management, Skopje, Macedonia, vol. 7(1), pages 37-48.
    12. Jun Hwan Kim & Hyun Cheol Lee, 2019. "Understanding the Repurchase Intention of Premium Economy Passengers Using an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, June.
    13. Dionysis Skarmeas & Constantinos N. Leonidou & Charalampos Saridakis & Giuseppe Musarra, 2020. "Pathways to Civic Engagement with Big Social Issues: An Integrated Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(2), pages 261-285, June.
    14. Raveenajit Kaur A. P. & Kalvant Singh & Alberto Luis August, 2021. "Exploring the Factor Structure of the Constructs of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK): An Exploratory Factor Analysis Based on the Perceptions of TESOL Pre-Service Teachers at ," Research Journal of Education, Academic Research Publishing Group, vol. 7(2), pages 103-115, 06-2021.
    15. Silvia Mariela Méndez-Prado & Vanessa Rodriguez & Kevin Peralta-Rizzo & Patricia Everaert & Martin Valcke, 2023. "An Assessment Tool to Identify the Financial Literacy Level of Financial Education Programs Participants’ Executed by Ecuadorian Financial Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-24, January.
    16. Salim Moussa, 2016. "A Comment on the Estimation of the Reliability of Multidimensional Marketing Constructs: A Store Personality Scale Application," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 17(5), pages 1125-1144, October.
    17. Jeanne A. Teresi & Katja Ocepek-Welikson & John A. Toner & Marjorie Kleinman & Mildred Ramirez & Joseph P. Eimicke & Barry J. Gurland & Albert Siu, 2017. "Methodological Issues in Measuring Subjective Well-Being and Quality-of-Life: Applications to Assessment of Affect in Older, Chronically and Cognitively Impaired, Ethnically Diverse Groups Using the F," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(2), pages 251-288, June.
    18. Mohd Azhar & Sehar Nafees & Sujood & Sheeba Hamid, 2023. "Understanding post-pandemic travel intention toward rural destinations by expanding the theory of planned behavior (TPB)," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-17, December.
    19. Mohd Azhar & Ruksar Ali & Sheeba Hamid & Mohd Junaid Akhtar & Mohd Nayyer Rahman, 2022. "Demystifying the effect of social media eWOM on revisit intention post-COVID-19: an extension of theory of planned behavior," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Yinghui Huang & Hui Liu & Weijun Wang & Rouchun Dong & Yun Tang, 2021. "The Junior Students’ Internet Literacy Scale: Measure Development and Validation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9732-:d:449176. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.