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Launching for success: The effects of psychological distance and mental simulation on funding decisions and crowdfunding performance

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  • Rose, Stefan
  • Wentzel, Daniel
  • Hopp, Christian
  • Kaminski, Jermain

Abstract

This research examines how potential backers form mental representations of products in reward-based crowdfunding campaigns, and how these representations affect funding decisions and campaign performance. To test our framework, we conducted four experiments and also drew on a sample of 961 Kickstarter campaigns. Our results show that two campaign characteristics – the product's development stage and the indicated time to product delivery – determine the psychological distance that supporters experience in response to a campaign, and that psychological distance, in turn, inhibits individual campaign contributions and cumulative campaign success. Furthermore, we find that encouraging supporters to imagine the benefits of product usage is an effective means to increase support for campaigns that elicit high psychological distance.

Suggested Citation

  • Rose, Stefan & Wentzel, Daniel & Hopp, Christian & Kaminski, Jermain, 2021. "Launching for success: The effects of psychological distance and mental simulation on funding decisions and crowdfunding performance," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(6).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:36:y:2021:i:6:s0883902618308619
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2020.106021
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alsagr, Naif & Cumming, Douglas J. & Davis, Justin G. & Sewaid, Ahmed, 2023. "Geopolitical risk and crowdfunding performance," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
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    4. Allison, Thomas H. & Warnick, Benjamin J. & Davis, Blakley C. & Cardon, Melissa S., 2022. "Can you hear me now? Engendering passion and preparedness perceptions with vocal expressions in crowdfunding pitches," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 37(3).
    5. Zhou, Fei & Zhang, Na & Mou, Jian & Zhang, Qin, 2024. "Fueling user engagement in virtual CSR co-creation with mental simulation: A cognitive appraisal perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    6. Sirine Zribi, 2022. "Effects of social influence on crowdfunding performance: implications of the covid-19 pandemic," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Crowdfunding; New product development; Entrepreneurial financing; Construal level theory; Psychological distance; Mental simulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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