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on Social Norms and Social Capital |
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Issue of 2025–08–25
eight papers chosen by Fabio Sabatini, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” |
| By: | Filipe R. Campante; Ruben Durante; Felix Hagemeister; Ananya Sen |
| Abstract: | We study how AI-generated misinformation affects demand for trustworthy news, using data from a field experiment by a major German outlet, Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ). Readers were randomly assigned to a treatment highlighting the challenge of distinguishing real from AI-generated images. The treatment raised concern with misinformation (0.3 s.d.) and reduced trust in news (0.1 s.d.), including SZ. Importantly, it affected post-survey browsing behavior: daily visits to SZ digital content rose by 2.5% in the immediate aftermath of the treatment. Moreover, we find that subscriber retention increased by 1.1% after five months, corresponding to about a one-third drop in attrition rate. Results are consistent with a model where the relative value of trustworthy news sources increases with the prevalence of misinformation, which may thus boost engagement with those sources even while lowering trust in news content. |
| JEL: | D12 L82 L86 |
| Date: | 2025–08 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:34100 |
| By: | Daniel Engler (University of Kassel, Institute of Economics); Marvin Gleue (University of Kassel, Institute of Economics); Gunnar Gutsche (University of Kassel, Institute of Economics); Sophia Möller (University of Kassel, Institute of Economics); Andreas Ziegler (University of Kassel, Institute of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Legal norms can have a direct effect on individual behavior through their legal enforcement. However, according to the ‘expressive function of law, ’ they can also have indirect effects on individual behavior by shaping related social norms. Since evidence for this expressive function is scarce, we consider a new law on corporate due diligence for the protection of human rights and the environment (i.e. the German Supply Chain Act) and empirically examine its indirect effects on individual sustainable purchasing behavior, as indicated by the willingness to pay (WTP) for sustainable socks, where sustainability is ensured by the certification with a label of the Fair Wear Foundation. The empirical analysis is based on data from a pre-registered and incentivized experiment implemented in a representative survey of 1, 017 citizens in Germany. Before making socks purchasing decisions and the elicitation of related personal injunctive and perceived social norms, the respondents were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group that received information about the German Supply Chain Act. We examine average treatment effects and, based on a causal mediation analysis, the mediating role of related personal injunctive and perceived social norms on individual sustainable purchasing behavior. A manipulation check shows that the treatment information has a significantly positive effect on individual knowledge about the objectives of the German Supply Chain Act. However, the treatment information has no significant effect on the WTP for sustainable socks with the Fair Wear Foundation label or on related norms. Although our mediation analysis reveals that personal injunctive and perceived social norms are significantly positively correlated with this WTP, our experimental analysis does not provide any evidence for the expressive function of law in the case of the German Supply Chain Act and individual sustainable purchasing behavior. |
| Keywords: | Legal norms, personal injunctive norm, perceived social norms, German Supply Chain Act, individual sustainable purchasing behavior |
| JEL: | D91 K38 Q58 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mar:magkse:202510 |
| By: | Avner Greif; Joel Mokyr; Guido Tabellini |
| Abstract: | Why did the industrial revolution occur in Europe and not in China, despite China being well ahead of Europe in terms of economic and technological achievements several centuries earlier? We revisit this long-standing question from a new perspective. We emphasize the importance of the different social organizations that diffused in these two parts of the world in the centuries that preceded the industrial revolution: kin-based organizations in China, vs corporations in Europe. We explain their cultural origins, and discuss how these different organizations shaped the evolution of legal systems, political institutions and human capital accumulation in these two parts of the world. Our main argument is that European corporations played a crucial role in the scientific and technological innovations that ultimately led to the industrial revolution. |
| Keywords: | industrial revolution, China, Europe, culture, institutions, organizations |
| JEL: | N00 P00 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12023 |
| By: | Natalia Montinari; Matteo Ploner; Veronica Rattini |
| Abstract: | Immigration has shaped many nations, posing the challenge of integrating immigrants into society. While economists often focus on immigrants' economic outcomes compared to natives (such as education, labor market success, and health) social interactions between immigrants and natives are equally crucial. These interactions, from everyday exchanges to teamwork, often lack enforceable contracts and require cooperation to avoid conflicts and achieve efficient outcomes. However, socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural differences can hinder cooperation. Thus, evaluating integration should also consider its impact on fostering cooperation across diverse groups. This paper studies how priming different identity dimensions affects cooperation between immigrant and native youth. Immigrant identity includes both ethnic ties to their country of origin and connections to the host country. We test whether cooperation improves by making salient a specific identity: Common identity (shared society), Multicultural identity (ethnic group within society), or Neutral identity. In a lab in the field experiment with over 390 adolescents, participants were randomly assigned to one of these priming conditions and played a Public Good Game. Results show that immigrants are 13 percent more cooperative than natives at baseline. Natives increase cooperation by about 3 percentage points when their multicultural identity is primed, closing the initial gap with immigrant peers. |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2507.02511 |
| By: | Lamyae Khatabi (USMBA - Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah [Fès]); Azmour Mohamed (UAE - Abdelmalek Essaadi University [Tétouan] = Université Abdelmalek Essaadi [Tétouan]) |
| Abstract: | This study aims to model the mechanisms through which entrepreneurial training contributes to the legitimization of women entrepreneurs in a sociocultural context marked by restrictive gender norms, using Morocco as the analytical framework. On a methodological level, the research adopts a theoretical approach based on a systematic literature review. Through this process, an integrated conceptual model is proposed, identifying the direct, mediating (such as self-confidence and access to professional networks), and moderating (notably social norms) effects of training on perceived legitimacy. Although the study is exploratory and conceptual in nature, it lays the groundwork for future empirical validations. The main conclusion highlights that entrepreneurial training serves as a strategic lever not only for developing entrepreneurial skills but also for strengthening the social and institutional recognition of women entrepreneurs, acting as a vector for personal empowerment and the transformation of dominant social norms. |
| Keywords: | Entrepreneurial training, Legitimacy, Entrepreneurial skills, Social norms, Entrepreneurial training, Legitimacy, Entrepreneurial skills, Gender, Morocco, Social norms., African Scientific Journal |
| Date: | 2025–07–15 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05166143 |
| By: | Aaron Günther; Niklas Potrafke; Felix Rösel; Timo Wochner |
| Abstract: | What are the consequences of losing political representation in a democracy? A reform of Germany’s mixed electoral system left more than 7 million citizens in 23 constituencies without a directly elected representative after the 2025 national election. Which and how many constituencies were affected was unpredictable and quasi-random. We show that losing political representation reduces citizens’ satisfaction with democracy. Moreover, discontent is independent of party preferences and spreads through social networks, reducing democratic satisfaction even among individuals who were unaware of the reform’s outcome. Political representation is a cornerstone of democracy; its erosion may give rise to democratic backsliding. |
| Keywords: | political representation, democracy, social networks |
| JEL: | D02 D72 P11 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12051 |
| By: | Agarwal, Vikas; Arisoy, Yakup Eser; Trinh, Tri |
| Abstract: | We investigate whether eponymous hedge funds-those named after their founder/manager-signal managerial ability or ethical behavior. While such funds do not outperform non-eponymous peers, they exhibit lower operational and fraud risks. Survey evidence supports these findings. Eponymous funds that violate regulations and breach investors' trust experience reduced investor flows despite strong performance. Offsetting these costs, eponymous fund managers benefit from lower failure rates and better contractual terms such as higher incentive fees and greater share restrictions. These results suggest that eponymy serves as a credible signal of ethical behavior and personal commitment, valued by investors beyond performance alone. |
| Keywords: | Eponymy, hedge funds, performance, signaling, reputation, trust, ethics, integrity |
| JEL: | G23 G40 G41 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:cfrwps:323936 |
| By: | Agnoletto, Margherita (University of Turin); Della Giusta, Marina (University of Turin); Mendolia, Silvia (University of Turin) |
| Abstract: | We examine the impact of intensive social media use on puberty timing, particularly earlier menarche in girls. Using data from the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS), a nationally representative longitudinal dataset tracking around 19, 000 children in the UK, we analyse how digital engagement influences adolescent development. Our results show that intensive social media use significantly accelerates menarche in girls but has no clear effect on male puberty markers. The likely mechanism behind this effect is the negative impact of social media on mental health, particularly stress and anxiety, which have been linked to earlier menarche. Our findings highlight social media use itself as a potential risky behaviour, reinforcing concerns about its effects on adolescent well-being. |
| Keywords: | menarche, stress, social media, risky behaviours |
| JEL: | I12 I31 J13 J16 |
| Date: | 2025–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18013 |