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Experiments on Charitable Giving: Study of the impact of restricted choice and imperfect informaion on warm glow givers

Mirza, Zarak (2017) Experiments on Charitable Giving: Study of the impact of restricted choice and imperfect informaion on warm glow givers. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.65758) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:65758)

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Language: English

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Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.22024/UniKent/01.02.65758

Abstract

In some instances, charities insist on donors giving more than some fixed, minimum amount. In many other instances, charities frame appeals for funds in a way that suggests there is a minimum desirable donation. So, what are the effects on charitable giving if a minimum donation is required? We first provide a simple theoretical model that shows the effects are ambiguous. Some people are predicted to give more to the charity, some less and the overall effect could go either way. We then report the results of two lab experiments. In both experiments we find that giving is significantly lower when a minimum donation is required. Our two experiments consider very different settings. The first experiment involves individual decision making with large opportunity costs of giving. The second involves group involvement with direct incentives to give. That we observe lower giving in both settings suggests that imposing a minimum donation may not be an effective way to increase giving. We also explore the dynamic nature of giving under restrictive conditions along with the impact of screening and signalling on giving behaviour.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
Thesis advisor: Heady, Christopher
Thesis advisor: Cartwright, Edward
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.65758
Additional information: The author of this thesis has requested a temporary embargo for this work. We are sorry but until the embargo has expired, we will not be able to give you access or pass on any requests for access. 05/08/21
Uncontrolled keywords: Charity, warm glow, minimum donation, experiment, screening, signalling
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Economics
Funders: [UNSPECIFIED] University of Kent
SWORD Depositor: System Moodle
Depositing User: System Moodle
Date Deposited: 19 Jan 2018 16:10 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:52 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/65758 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Mirza, Zarak.

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