| Abstract: |
Navigating Dhaka's ubiquitous rickshaw system often involves daily fare
negotiations, a common yet unpredictable economic interaction. This research
investigated whether a subtle shift in passenger communication could enhance
the efficiency of these micro-negotiations. Using a quasi-experimental design
conducted from March to July 2025 in Bashundhara R/A, the study compared two
conversational approaches for a fixed 2-kilometer route: a direct fare request
versus one framed with "it's quite close." Findings revealed that the "Framed
Approach" significantly reduced negotiation attempts, requiring an average of
2.56 rickshaws hailed compared to 3.04 for the "Direct Approach"—a 15.79%
improvement. This highlights how a few well-chosen words can lead to tangible
time savings and greater operational efficiency in informal urban economies.
The study offers practical insights for commuters and provides real-world
validation of behavioral economics principles (Kahneman & Tversky, 1979),
specifically framing effects (Tversky & Kahneman, 1981), demonstrating their
powerful influence on everyday economic outcomes. The study demonstrates the
framing effect's strong influence on daily decision-making and resource
allocation (Thaler & Sunstein, 2008) while offering crucial, useful commuter
strategies and solid, empirical validation of behavioral economics concepts. |