@article{Alberts:2016:10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.001, author = {Alberts, G and Gurguc, Z and Koutroumpis, P and Martin, R and Muuls, M and Napp, T}, doi = {10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.001}, journal = {Energy Policy}, pages = {504--523}, title = {Competition and norms: a self-defeating combination?}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.001}, volume = {96}, year = {2016} }
TY - JOUR AB - This paper investigates the effects of information feedback mechanisms on electricity and heating usage at a student hall of residence in London. In a randomised control trial, we formulate different treatments such as feedback information and norms, as well as prize competition among subjects. We show that information and norms lead to a sharp – more than 20% - reduction in overall energy consumption. Because participants do not pay for their energy consumption this response cannot be driven by cost saving incentives. Interestingly, when combining feedback and norms with a prize competition for achieving low energy consumption, the reduction effect – while present initially – disappears in the long run. This could suggest that external rewards reduce and even destroy intrinsic motivation to change behaviour. AU - Alberts,G AU - Gurguc,Z AU - Koutroumpis,P AU - Martin,R AU - Muuls,M AU - Napp,T DO - 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.001 EP - 523 PY - 2016/// SN - 1873-6777 SP - 504 TI - Competition and norms: a self-defeating combination? T2 - Energy Policy UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.06.001 UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/33898 VL - 96 ER -
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