What sparks academic engagement with society? A comparison of incentives appealing to motives

The pressure on higher education institutions (HEIs) to realize third mission activities continues grow, intensifying the search for incentives motivate academics engage with stakeholders outside their HEI. Previous studies have found limitations in intrinsically motivating academic engagement; therefore, this study investigates extrinsic regulation of motivations via incentives. authors identified a broad range activities, belonging four motivation categories: pecuniary incentives, career advancement, appreciation and research support. Drawing self-determination theory, (nudges rewards) are empirically compared between-subject design sample 324 from business economics disciplines. analysis showed that nudges affect academics’ intention society joint project. Furthermore, these responded well concerned support category. findings contribute literature by highlighting relevance marginal incentives—nudges—in implementing appropriate HEIs.