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How accounts shape lending decisions through fostering perceived trustworthiness

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  • Sonenshein, Scott
  • Herzenstein, Michal
  • Dholakia, Utpal M.

Abstract

We examine the roles of social accounts in influencing lenders' decisions about loaning money to borrowers. Using field data and a laboratory experiment, we show that lenders will lend money depending on the accounts borrowers tell. In Study 1, field data from a peer-to-peer lending website reveal that two-account combinations (explanation-acknowledgment and explanation-denial) increase the likelihood of favorable lending decisions. A laboratory study helps explain the important role of accounts by unpacking the process of perceived borrower trustworthiness in lending decisions. A final field study assessing the performance of loans 2 years after origination shows that accounts, despite having a positive effect on the loan decision process, negatively predict loan performance. Collectively, the three studies show that accounts facilitate economic exchanges between unacquainted transaction partners because of their role in increasing perceived trustworthiness, but that ironically, accounts can negatively relate to loan performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonenshein, Scott & Herzenstein, Michal & Dholakia, Utpal M., 2011. "How accounts shape lending decisions through fostering perceived trustworthiness," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 115(1), pages 69-84, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:115:y:2011:i:1:p:69-84
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    3. Ki Taek Park & Hyejeong Yang & So Young Sohn, 2022. "Recommendation of investment portfolio for peer-to-peer lending with additional consideration of bidding period," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 315(2), pages 1083-1105, August.
    4. Han Jiang & Zhiyi Wang & Lusi Yang & Jia Shen & Jungpil Hahn, 2021. "How Rewarding Are Your Rewards? A Value-Based View of Crowdfunding Rewards and Crowdfunding Performance," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 45(3), pages 562-599, May.
    5. Qun Chen & Ji-Wen Li & Jian-Guo Liu & Jing-Ti Han & Yun Shi & Xun-Hua Guo, 2021. "Borrower Learning Effects: Do Prior Experiences Promote Continuous Successes in Peer-to-Peer Lending?," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 963-986, August.
    6. Qun Chen & Ji-Wen Li & Jian-Guo Liu & Jing-Ti Han & Yun Shi & Xun-Hua Guo, 0. "Borrower Learning Effects: Do Prior Experiences Promote Continuous Successes in Peer-to-Peer Lending?," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-24.
    7. Andreas Hoegen & Dennis M. Steininger & Daniel Veit, 2018. "How do investors decide? An interdisciplinary review of decision-making in crowdfunding," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 28(3), pages 339-365, August.
    8. Liu, Zhengchi & Shang, Jennifer & Wu, Shin-yi & Chen, Pei-yu, 2020. "Social collateral, soft information and online peer-to-peer lending: A theoretical model," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 281(2), pages 428-438.
    9. Wang, Shaoda & Ye, Dezhu & Liao, Junyun, 2024. "Politeness matters: The role of polite languages in online peer-to-peer lending," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    10. Nikolaus Lipusch & Dominik Dellermann & Ulrich Bretschneider & Philipp Ebel & Jan Marco Leimeister, 2020. "Designing for Crowdfunding Co-creation," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 62(6), pages 483-499, December.
    11. Jeremy C. Short & David J. Ketchen Jr. & Aaron F. McKenny & Thomas H. Allison & R. Duane Ireland, 2017. "Research on Crowdfunding: Reviewing the (Very Recent) past and Celebrating the Present," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 41(2), pages 149-160, March.
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    13. Yan Li & Cungang Li & Yijun Gao, 2020. "Voluntary disclosures and peer-to-peer lending decisions: Evidence from the repeated game," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-26, December.

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