Social Interactions Mediated by the Internet and the Big- Five: a Cross-Country Analysis

This study analyzes the possible relationship between personality traits, in terms of Big Five (extraversion, agreeableness, responsibility, emotional stability and openness to experience), and social interactions mediated by digital platforms in different socioeconomic and cultural contexts. We considered data from a questionnaire and the experience of using a chatbot, as a mean of requesting and offering help, with students from 4 universities: University of Trento (Italy), the National University of Mongolia, the School of Economics of London (United Kingdom) and the Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Paraguay). The main findings confirm that personality traits may influence social interactions and active participation in groups. Therefore, they should be taken into account to enrich the recommendation of matching algorithms between people who ask for help and people who could respond not only on the basis of their knowledge and skills.