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Does the nudge effect persist? Evidence from a field experiment using social comparison message in China

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  • Botao Qin
  • Haoyan Chen

Abstract

We designed and carried out a field experiment in which we imposed social comparison incentives and technical recommendations on student dormitories through electricity consumption reports and energy‐saving suggestions materials, respectively. Our findings are as follows: (1) Regression results on all users show that the effect of social norms is not statistically significant. (2) A social comparison message has a heterogeneous effect on consumers' energy use. Low‐ and high‐energy users reduced their electricity consumption by 26% and 14%, respectively, in the first week after the treatment. (3) The effect of social norms is time sensitive.

Suggested Citation

  • Botao Qin & Haoyan Chen, 2022. "Does the nudge effect persist? Evidence from a field experiment using social comparison message in China," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 689-703, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:buecrs:v:74:y:2022:i:3:p:689-703
    DOI: 10.1111/boer.12313
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    Cited by:

    1. Rita Abdel Sater, 2021. "Essays on the application of behavioural insights to environmental policy [Essais sur l’application des connaissances comportementales aux politiques environnementales]," SciencePo Working papers tel-03450909, HAL.
    2. Rita Abdel Sater, 2021. "Essays on the application of behavioural insights to environmental policy [Essais sur l’application des connaissances comportementales aux politiques environnementales]," SciencePo Working papers Main tel-03450909, HAL.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • Q41 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Demand and Supply; Prices

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