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Information Constraints and Technology Efficiency: Field Experiments Benchmarking Firms Website Performance

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  • Anwar Adem
  • Richard Kneller
  • Cher Li

Abstract

This study examines the influence of information constraints on firms’ efficiency in using digital technologies, focusing on business websites. Through two natural field experiments in the UK, we provide firms with benchmarked performance information on their websites. The experimental designs enable us to assess the salience of the information provided and heterogeneity linked to prior experience and catch-up potential. Our results indicate that performance gaps are not primarily driven by information constraints, as the treatment demonstrates a limited overall impact on motivating firms to improve, with a short-lived effect during the Covid-19 lockdowns. We further support these conclusions using data on website-building software and the number of page views.

Suggested Citation

  • Anwar Adem & Richard Kneller & Cher Li, 2023. "Information Constraints and Technology Efficiency: Field Experiments Benchmarking Firms Website Performance," CESifo Working Paper Series 10457, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10457
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    field experiment; digital technologies; information constraints; performance management; efficiency;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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