Factors Affecting Backers’ Funding Intention in Crowdfunding Platforms

In recent years crowdfunding has become a popular way for entrepreneurs and idea owners to raise capital. The main objective of this paper is to use the social exchange theory and the technology acceptance model to investigate the factors influencing the funding intention of backers in crowdfunding projects. A sample of 126 backers participated in the research. A questionnaire was used for data collection and structural equation modeling by means of SmartPLS3 was used for data analysis. The results showed that the shared values of backers with the project owners are positively affected by raising the trust of the backers in their funding intention. Also, the technology acceptance model in the field of crowdfunding was adopted and showed that the perceived usefulness and funding intention are positively related. Contrary to previous research, the result of this study was the dismissal of the impact of the structural assurance on intention through trust, which results in a lack of trust in institutional factors in the research community.