Student use of social media, academic performance, and creativity: the mediating role of intrinsic motivation

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between students’ use of social media, their academic performance and creativity in the digital era. Design/methodology/approach This research used a survey strategy for collecting primary data required for this study from 334 students of undergraduate programs at Chinese universities who were sampled through a non-probability convenience approach. Findings The findings of the study reveal that students’ use of social media is positively associated with students’ academic performance and creativity. In addition, intrinsic motivation was found to be a mediating reason in the relationships between students’ use of social media and students’ academic performance and creativity. Originality/value This study explored an important role of intrinsic motivation as a mediator in the relationships between students’ use of social media and their positive outcomes. Studying the use of social media by students to their positive study outcomes is also practically important for students, educationalists and other policymakers.

How social media use is related to student engagement and creativity: investigating through the lens of intrinsic motivation

“…Intrinsic motivation is positively associated with student outcomes (Bempechat and Shernoff 2012;Saeed and Zyngier 2012). Specifically, research has found a positive association of students' intrinsic motivation with student engagement (Malik et al 2020;Yu et al 2019) and creativity (Du et al 2019;Soh 2017). We believe that student's intrinsic motivation is positively associated with social media utilisation by students, which, as a result, leads to student engagement & creativity.…”

“…The tradition of social media in all walks of life has been increased rapidly in the recent years (Anser et al 2020;Rauniar et al 2014). Past researches revealed that social media is getting popular among students, and recent researchers have noted the considerable influence of social media utilisation in academia (Friesen and Lowe 2012;Greenhow and Lewin 2016;Malik et al 2020).…”

“…The social-media is considered an excellent tool of learning in this modern age (W. M. Al-Rahmi et al 2018;Lin et al 2016;Sutherland and Jalali 2017). Hu et al (2017); Malik et al (2020) reveal that the student's utilisation of social media may increase the learners' creativity in the field of academia. Researchers believe that the exchange of knowledge and networking is the reason why the use of social media enhances individuals' creativity and innovation.…”

“…Intrinsic motivation is important for individuals' performance and work engagement (Hendijani et al 2016;Skinner and Chi 2012). Researchers believe that high intrinsic motivation in individuals leads them to be engaged and to work creatively (Malik et al 2020;Tan et al 2019). Researchers believe that when individuals find interest in their work, they become self-motivated and perform better (Menges et al 2017).…”

“…Hassandra, Goudas, and Chroni (2003), believe that the social factors such as media may enhance intrinsic motivation. Malik et al (2020), identified that the utilisation of social media is connected positively with the intrinsic motivation of students which further leads to higher academic performance. Researchers for instance, Bolkan (2015); Reeve (2012); Saeed and Zyngier (2012) have theorised an affirmative association among intrinsic motivation and academic performance of students.…”