Creating compassion: How volunteering websites encourage prosocial behaviour

Abstract

Organisations increasingly use websites to promote prosocial behaviour such as volunteering, philanthropy, and activism. However, these websites often fail to encourage prosocial behaviours effectively. To address the lack of relevant research, we develop, then refine, a design model that identifies the user experience factors that create intention to engage in prosocial behaviour on websites. We test an initial model developed from the literature, by interviewing forty participants, each of whom visited and compared six volunteering websites. Our analysis of the participants' user experience reveals eighteen elements that interplay to create intention to engage in prosocial behaviour. Our refined design model comprises ten website features (interaction, factual, anecdata, external recognition, organisational expression, value suggestion, explanatory content, visual media, written media and, website design), seven perceptions (ease of use, aesthetics, information quality, trust, negative affect, positive affect, and argument strength), and one motivation (egoism). These findings provide novel insights into how to design Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to encourage prosocial behaviour.

Exploring factors associated with participation in citizen science among UK museum visitors aged 40–60: A qualitative study using the theoretical domains framework and the capability opportunity motivation-behaviour model

“…In line with previous studies that investigated motivation for participation in citizen science (Geoghegan et al, 2016; Slattery et al, 2019), our data on beliefs about consequences and goals reflected egoism, altruism and collectivism. Egoism was indicated by the described goal of personal learning, the perceived importance of getting personalised feedback, the mentioned participation benefits of obtaining enjoyment and empowerment.…”

Deconstruction of the Discourse of Femininity: A Case of Thai Girls’ Schools

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A Comprehensive Analysis of Healthcare Websites Usability Features, Testing Techniques and Issues

“…19 [46] Interview By interviewing forty people, each of whom visited and compared six volunteer websites, the researchers can put an initial model developed from the literature for the test. Ten website features (interaction, factual, anecdata, external recognition, organizational expression, value suggestion, explanatory content, visual media, written media, and website design), seven perceptions (ease of use, aesthetics, information quality, trust, negative affect, positive affect, and argument strength), and one motivation are included in this refined design model.…”