Point at, nudge, or push private provision of a public good?. (27th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bruns, Hendrik; Perino, Grischa
• Is Part Of: Economic inquiry. Volume 59:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 996
• Page End: 1007
• Publication Date: 2021-03-27
• Subjects: climate protection -- default -- experiment -- motivation crowding -- nudge -- public good; Economics -- Periodicals; 330.05
• DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12981
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2583

Abstract

Abstract: How decision makers respond to behavioral and traditional interventions might depend on their and the regulator's attributes. This online experiment investigates the effect of defaults, recommendations, and mandatory minimum contributions accompanied by regulator information on the private provision of climate protection, accounting for intrinsic motivation. Findings show that all interventions increase the propensity of individuals to choose the focal value. There is no evidence that recommendations and defaults change average contributions. We report a negative interaction of the default with intrinsic motivation. Expert or political regulator information decreases intervention effectiveness. The study improves our understanding of behavioral public policy instruments.