The role of data-reuse experience in biological scientists’ data sharing: an empirical analysis

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how scientists’ prior data-reuse experience affects their data-sharing intention by updating diverse attitudinal, control and normative beliefs about data sharing. Design/methodology/approach This paper used a survey method and the research model was evaluated by applying structural equation modelling to 476 survey responses from biological scientists in the USA. Findings The results show that prior data-reuse experience significantly increases the perceived community and career benefits and subjective norms of data sharing and significantly decreases the perceived risk and effort involved in data sharing. The perceived community benefits and subjective norms of data sharing positively influence scientists’ data-sharing intention, whereas the perceived risk and effort negatively influence scientists’ data-sharing intention. Research limitations/implications Based on the theory of planned behaviour, the research model was developed by connecting scientists’ prior data-reuse experience and data-sharing intention mediated through diverse attitudinal, control and normative perceptions of data sharing. Practical implications This research suggests that to facilitate scientists’ data-sharing behaviours, data reuse needs to be encouraged. Data sharing and reuse are interconnected, so scientists’ data sharing can be better promoted by providing them with data-reuse experience. Originality/value This is one of the initial studies examining the relationship between data-reuse experience and data-sharing behaviour, and it considered the following mediating factors: perceived community benefit, career benefit, career risk, effort and subjective norm of data sharing. This research provides an advanced investigation of data-sharing behaviour in the relationship with data-reuse experience and suggests significant implications for fostering data-sharing behaviour.