Abstract

Peer networks can positively affect individual careers and the scientific enterprise as a whole. People's willingness to contribute to such networks is poorly understood. In an email experiment, we investigated how framing the future research environment affects people's willingness to contribute to an emerging academic network. In spite of relatively large treatment effects, we do not find statistically significant effects of pessimistic or optimistic messaging on the willingness to contribute. We discuss limitations of the small sample size and the future research potential of network nudges.

Keywords

behavioural economics; nudging; peer communications; research networks; willingness to cooperate

Published in

Journal of Agricultural Economics
2021, volume: 72, number: 2, pages: 628-634

Authors' information