A Greater Price for a Greater Good? Evidence that Consumers Pay More for Charity-Linked Products

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Elfenbein, Daniel W.; McManus, Brian
• 署名单位: Washington University (WUSTL); University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-ECONOMIC POLICY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7731
• DOI: 10.1257/pol.2.2.28
• 发表日期: 2010
• 页码: 28-60
• 关键词: corporate social-responsibility; public-goods; private provision; auctions; Donations; rules; ebay; insights

摘要

To study whether consumers will pay more for products that generate charitable donations, we analyze data from eBay on charity and noncharity auctions of otherwise identical products. Charity prices are 6 percent higher, on average, than noncharity prices. Bids below the closing price are also higher, as are bids by individuals bidding on identical charity and noncharity products. Bidders appear to value charity revenue at least partially as a public good, as they submit bids earlier in charity auctions, stimulating other bidders to bid more aggressively. Our results help explain why firms may pledge charitable donations, green production, or similar activities. (JEL D12, D44, D64, L81, M14, M31)