A Large-Scale Field Experiment to Reduce Nonpayments for Water: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Review of Economics and Statistics · 2023 · Bettina Rockenbach、Sebastian Tonke、Arne R. Weiss
中文摘要
在一项针对纳米比亚水务公司9,823名客户的田野实验中，我们实施了旨在减少欠费行为的干预措施。这些干预措施基于诊断性调查，以识别缴费的关键障碍，其针对信息摩擦并运用心理承诺技术，以缩小客户支付意愿与实际缴费之间的差距。初期，缴费额增加了29%至55%，使得这些干预具有很高的成本效益。消除信息摩擦具有持久影响，但承诺技术仅产生短期效果。我们展示了在难以实施强硬手段（例如对欠费者断水）的情境下，行为干预的有效性及其局限性。
Abstract
Abstract In a field experiment among 9,823 customers of the Namibian water utility, we implement interventions to reduce nonpayments. The interventions are based on diagnostic surveys to identify key obstacles to payments. They address informational frictions and apply psychological commitment techniques to narrow the gap between customers’ willingness to pay and actual payments. Initially, payments increase by 29% to 55%, making the interventions highly cost-effective. Removing informational frictions has a lasting impact, but the commitment techniques produce only short-term effects. We demonstrate the effectiveness and limitations of behavioral interventions in settings where heavy-handed tools (e.g., disconnecting nonpayers) are difficult to implement.