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on Cultural Economics |
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Issue of 2024‒11‒11
five papers chosen by Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Luis Aguiar; Joel Waldfogel; Axel Zeijen |
| Abstract: | Digitization has facilitated the emergence of large distribution platforms downstream from traditionally powerful suppliers. Digital platforms can carry many suppliers’ products, test the products’ consumer appeal, and choose which products to promote, potentially shifting power from the suppliers to the platforms. We study these forces in the recorded music industry, which was traditionally dominated by a few “major” record labels distributing their products through fragmented radio stations and retailers. Now, the majors receive most of their promotion and distribution through platforms like Spotify, which carry millions of songs from both major and “independent” suppliers. We study Spotify’s use of playlists using data covering 2017-2020. First, Spotify used their expanded playlist capacity to test – and discover – proportionately more independent songs to promote on their playlists. Second, at least relative to major-label playlists, Spotify-operated playlists promoted new independent songs more than was indicated by their subsequent success. Third, placement on Spotify new-music playlists has a large causal impact on streams. The independent-label share of new-music promotion rose from 38 percent in late 2017 to 55 percent in early 2020, which helps to explain the reported decline in the share of Spotify royalty payments to major-label suppliers over the same period. |
| JEL: | L13 L82 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33048 |
| By: | Leung, Tin Cheuk (Wake Forest University, Economics Department); Strumpf, Koleman (Wake Forest University, Economics Department) |
| Abstract: | We introduce a novel method for detecting supply-side media bias without needing information on the ideological leanings of media owners or editors. Focusing on digital homepages, we analyzed over 100, 000 articles from The New York Times (NYT) and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and 24 million tweets. By controlling for demand-side factors, we attribute extended homepage visibility of ideologically slanted articles to supply-side biases. Liberal articles stay longer on the NYT homepage, while conservative ones persist on WSJ. Further analysis into articles’ transition to print and podcasts suggest that competition may reduce media bias, supporting the presence of supply-side biases. |
| Keywords: | Media Bias; Media Economics; Social Media; Machine Learning |
| JEL: | D22 D72 D83 L82 |
| Date: | 2024–10–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:wfuewp:0116 |
| By: | Reni Buneva (Saint Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia) |
| Abstract: | Geert Hofstede's cultural dimensions framework has significantly advanced our understanding of cultural differences and their impact on communication and behavior. However, religion, a critical component of many cultures, is not explicitly included in Hofstede's model. This article explores the integration of religion as a cultural dimension within Hofstede's framework. By examining the role of religion in shaping cultural values, beliefs, and behaviors, the paper aims to enhance the model's applicability and relevance in a globalized world. Case study and theoretical insights demonstrate how incorporating religion can provide a more comprehensive understanding of intercultural communication and cooperation. |
| Keywords: | Religion, Diversity, Intercultural understanding, Hofstede's model |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:14816448 |
| By: | Fausto Hernández-Trillo (Department of Economics, CIDE); Aaron Zaragoza (Department of Economics, CIDE) |
| Abstract: | This article analyzes the relationship between bribes and competitive success in matches of the First Division of Spain, based on the Negreira Case scandal, which exposed payments from Barcelona FC to Enríquez-Negreira while he was vice president of the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees. Drawing on an extensive self-constructed dataset, covering more than two decades of seasons, and employing various statistical and econometric techniques, this study delves into the potential association between bribery and the likelihood of an organization achieving more victories. The results reveal a significant positive relationship between the payments made by Barcelona FC and its competitive success, even after controlling for quality. |
| Keywords: | Corruption, Barcelona, Football, LaLiga, Referee Bias, Negreira |
| JEL: | Z0 Z2 A1 |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:emc:wpaper:dte642 |
| By: | Jacob Morrier; Amine Mahmassani; R. Michael Alvarez |
| Abstract: | Toxicity is a widespread phenomenon in competitive online video games. In addition to its direct undesirable effects, there is a concern that toxicity can spread to others, amplifying the harm caused by a single player's misbehavior. In this study, we estimate whether and to what extent a player's toxic speech spreads, causing their teammates to behave similarly. To this end, we analyze proprietary data from the free-to-play first-person action game Call of Duty: Warzone. We formulate and implement an instrumental variable identification strategy that leverages the network of interactions among players across matches. Our analysis reveals that all else equal, all of a player's teammates engaging in toxic speech increases their probability of engaging in similar behavior by 26.1 to 30.3 times the average player's likelihood of engaging in toxic speech. These findings confirm the viral nature of toxicity, especially toxic speech, in competitive online video games. |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2410.00978 |