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Point at, nudge, or push private provision of a public good?

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  • Hendrik Bruns
  • Grischa Perino

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik Bruns & Grischa Perino, 2021. "Point at, nudge, or push private provision of a public good?," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 59(3), pages 996-1007, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:59:y:2021:i:3:p:996-1007
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.12981
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    3. Flörchinger, Daniela & Frondel, Manuel & Jarke-Neuert, Johannes & Perino, Grischa, 2023. "Complexity and Learning Effects in Voluntary Climate Action: Evidence from a Field Experiment," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277680, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    4. Diederich, Johannes & Goeschl, Timo & Waichman, Israel, 2023. "Self-nudging is more ethical, but less efficient than social nudging," VfS Annual Conference 2023 (Regensburg): Growth and the "sociale Frage" 277679, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    5. Astrid Dannenberg & Olof Johansson‐Stenman & Heike Wetzel, 2022. "Status for the good guys: An experiment on charitable giving," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(2), pages 721-740, April.
    6. Pedro Naso; Tania Theoduloz; Nicholas Tyack; Dambala Gelo; Mare Sarr; Timothy Swanson, 2021. "Using Information to Improve Global Cooperation: A Climate Change Experiment," CIES Research Paper series 72-2021, Centre for International Environmental Studies, The Graduate Institute.

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