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Pushing through or slacking off? Heterogeneity in the reaction to rank feedback

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  • Hett, Florian
  • Schmidt, Felix

Abstract

This paper studies heterogeneity in the reaction to rank feedback. In a laboratory experiment, individuals take part in a series of dynamic real-effort contests with intermediate feedback. To solve the identification problem in estimating the causal effect of rank feedback on subsequent effort provision we implement a random multiplier in the first round of each contest. The realization of this multiplier then serves as a valid instrument for rank feedback. While rank feedback has a robust effect on subsequent effort provision on average, an explicit analysis of between-subject heterogeneity reveals that a substantial fraction of participants in fact react entirely opposite than the aggregated results indicate. We further show that this heterogeneity has consequences for overall outcomes, thereby arguing that heterogeneous sensitivities to rank feedback could have implications for the design of various policies in education and organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Hett, Florian & Schmidt, Felix, 2018. "Pushing through or slacking off? Heterogeneity in the reaction to rank feedback," SAFE Working Paper Series 203, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:safewp:203
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3163498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Klausmann, Tim & Wagner, Valentin & Zipperle, Isabell, 2021. "Rank response functions in an online learning environment," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    2. Tim Klausmann, 2021. "Feedback in Homogeneous Ability Groups: A Field Experiment," Working Papers 2114, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    heterogeneity; competitiveness; contest; rank feedback; relative performance evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior

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