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Aiming for the Goal: Contribution Dynamics of Crowdfunding

Author

Listed:
  • Joyee Deb
  • Aniko Öry
  • Kevin R. Williams

Abstract

We study a dynamic contribution game where investors seek private benefits offered in exchange for contributions, and a single, publicly minded donor values project success. We show that donor contributions serve as costly signals that encourage socially productive contributions by investors who face a coordination problem. Investors and the donor prefer different equilibria, but all benefit in expectation from the donor's ability to dynamically signal his valuation. We explore various contexts in which our model can be applied and delve empirically into the case of Kickstarter. We calibrate our model and quantify the coordination benefits of dynamic signaling in counterfactuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Joyee Deb & Aniko Öry & Kevin R. Williams, 2024. "Aiming for the Goal: Contribution Dynamics of Crowdfunding," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 114(12), pages 3847-3876, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:114:y:2024:i:12:p:3847-76
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20181851
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • D26 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Crowd-Based Firms
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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