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on Nudge and Boosting |
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Issue of 2026–01–19
three papers chosen by Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Geven, Koen Martijn; Tahir, Ayesha; Fasih, Tazeen; Qureshi, Javaeria; Hasan, Amer; Fazili, Sheena; Malik, Rabea; Macdonald, Kevin Alan David |
| Abstract: | Text and voice messages have emerged as a low-cost and popular tool for nudging recipients to change behavior. This paper presents findings from a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the impact of an information campaign using text and voice messages implemented in Punjab, Pakistan during the COVID-19-induced school closures. This campaign sought to increase study time and provide academic support while schools were closed and to encourage reenrollment when they opened, to reduce the number of dropouts. The campaign targeted girls enrolled in grades 5 to 7. Messages were sent out by a government institution, and the campaign lasted from October 2020 until November 2021, when schools had permanently re-opened. Households were randomized across three treatment groups and a control group that did not receive any messages. The first treatment group received gender-specific messages that explicitly referenced daughters in their households, and the second treatment group received gender-neutral messages. A third group was cross randomized across the first two treatment arms and received academic support messages (practice math problems and solutions). The results show that the messages increased reenrollment by 6.0 percentage points approximately three months after the intervention finished. Gender neutral messages (+8.9 percentage points) showed larger effect size on enrolment than gender-specific messages (+ 4.3 percentage points), although the difference is not statistically significant. The message program also increased learning outcomes by 0.2 standard deviation for Urdu and 0.2 standard deviation for math. The paper finds a small positive effect on the intensive margin of remote learning and an (equivalent) small negative effect on the intensive margin of outside tutoring. In line with similar studies on pandemic remediation efforts, the paper finds no effect of the academic support intervention on learnin g. The findings suggest that increased school enrollment played a role in supporting the observed increase in learning outcomes. |
| Date: | 2026–01–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11286 |
| By: | Francesco Salvi; Giuseppe Russo; Adam Barla; Vincent Moreau; Robert West |
| Abstract: | Meat consumption is a major driver of global greenhouse gas emissions. While pricing interventions have shown potential to reduce meat intake, previous studies have focused on highly constrained environments with limited consumer choice. Here, we present the first large-scale field experiment to evaluate multiple pricing interventions in a real-world, competitive setting. Using a sequential crossover design with matched menus in a Swiss university campus, we systematically compared vegetarian-meal discounts (-2.5 CHF), meat surcharges (+2.5 CHF), and a combined scheme (-1.2 CHF=+1.2 CHF) across four campus cafeterias. Only the surcharge and combined interventions led to significant increases in vegetarian meal uptake--by 26.4% and 16.6%, respectively--and reduced CO2 emissions per meal by 7.4% and 11.3%, respectively. The surcharge, while effective, triggered a 12.3% drop in sales at intervention sites and a corresponding 14.9% increase in non-treated locations, hence causing a spillover effect that completely offset environmental gains. In contrast, the combined approach achieved meaningful emission reductions without significant effects on overall sales or revenue, making it both effective and economically viable. Notably, pricing interventions were equally effective for both vegetarian-leaning customers and habitual meat-eaters, stimulating change even within entrenched dietary habits. Our results show that balanced pricing strategies can reduce the carbon footprint of realistic food environments, but require coordinated implementation to maximize climate benefits and avoid unintended spillover effects. |
| Date: | 2025–12 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2512.13174 |
| By: | Hosni, Hanin; Zhao, Shuoli; Woods, Tim |
| Abstract: | Growing environmental concerns necessitate shifts towards sustainable purchases, such as reusable packaging like glass milk bottles. However, A key barrier is the behavioral complexity requiring consumers to both purchase the product and return the packaging. We investigated whether financial incentives could foster habit formation using a 21-week field experiment with 6, 735 co-op members of a grocery store randomized to Control, Purchase Incentive (PI), or Return Incentive (RI) groups for local, glass-bottled milk. Analyzing the scanner data and survey responses, we found that while both incentives significantly boosted sales during the 7-week intervention, these effects were temporary and did not translate into lasting purchase habits. Similarly, bottle returns increased modestly during the intervention but did not persist. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, the RI did not significantly outperform the PI in promoting bottle returns. Low incentive redemption, consumer default choices, and the inconvenience of returns emerged as potential obstacles. Our results suggest that temporary financial incentives alone, such as coupons, are insufficient to establish habits for multi-step sustainable behaviors. It is important to address structural barriers like convenience and underlying consumer preferences. |
| Keywords: | Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea25:361166 |