Deadlines and Memory Limitations
- This paper studies the behavioral consequences of deadlines. In cooperation with a dental clinic, we conduct two natural field experiments that exogenously vary deadlines and associated rewards for arranging check-up appointments. Our data show strong and systematic effects of deadlines on patients’ behavior. Imposing relatively tight deadlines induces patients to act earlier and at a persistently higher frequency than without a deadline. Several of our findings suggest that individuals’ responses to deadlines are shaped by limitations in memory and attention.
Document Type: | Working Paper |
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Language: | English |
Author(s): | Christian Traxler, Steffen Altmann, Philip Weinschenk |
Publication year: | 2020 |
Publishing Institution: | Hertie School |
Number pages: | 62 |
Related URL: | https://hertieschool-f4e6.kxcdn.com/fileadmin/5_WhoWeAre/1_People_directory/Faculty_downloads/Traxler/Publications/ATW_Deadlines.pdf |
Release Date: | 2021/06/07 |
Tag: | Deadlines; Memory limitations; field experiment; limited attention |
Notes: | Also published here: Steffen Altmann, Christian Traxler, Philipp Weinschenk (2021) Deadlines and Memory Limitations, in: Management Science. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4227 |
Licence of document (German): |