Anonymity and self-expression in online rating systems—An experimental analysis

• Published in: Journal of behavioral and experimental economics Vol. 98; p. 101869
• Main Authors: Hoyer, B., van Straaten, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.06.2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Altruism; Anonymity; Consumer attitudes; Consumers; Customer rating; Customers; Electronic commerce; Merchants; Privacy; Public good; Ratings & rankings; Reputation; Self expression; D64; H41; Anonymity; Customer rating; C91; Altruism; Reputation; L86; Public good
• ISSN: 2214-8043; 2214-8051
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2022.101869

•We analyze the impact of anonymity on the self-expression motive.•Self-expression motive is blunted by anonymity in customer rating systems.•Altruistic subjects are not affected by the introduction of anonymity.•Self-expression stimulates non-altruistic subjects to publish ratings.•Consumer welfare...