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Real-Time Feedback and Social Comparison Reports Impact Resource Use and Welfare: Evidence From a Field Experiment

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  • Mark A. Andor
  • Lorenz Goette
  • Michael K. Price
  • Anna Schulze-Tilling
  • Lukas Tomberg

Abstract

We compare the behavior and welfare effects of two popular behavioral interventions for resource conservation. The first intervention is social comparison reports (SC), primarily providing consumers with information motivating behavioral change. The second intervention is real-time feedback (RTF), primarily providing consumers with information facilitating behavioral change. In a field experiment with around 1,000 participants, SC reduces water and energy use per shower by 9.4%, RTF by 28.8%, and the combination of both interventions by 35.0%. Participants’ willingness to pay for RTF and the combination is higher than for SC. We find that all interventions enhance welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark A. Andor & Lorenz Goette & Michael K. Price & Anna Schulze-Tilling & Lukas Tomberg, 2025. "Real-Time Feedback and Social Comparison Reports Impact Resource Use and Welfare: Evidence From a Field Experiment," CRC TR 224 Discussion Paper Series crctr224_2025_651, University of Bonn and University of Mannheim, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:bon:boncrc:crctr224_2025_651
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    File URL: https://www.crctr224.de/research/discussion-papers/archive/dp651
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Resource Conservation; Welfare; Real-time Feedback; Social Comparison; Behavioral Intervention; Field Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water

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