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Research ArticleArticle

Non-binding Peer Review and Effort in Teams: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Kristian Behrens and Matthieu Chemin
Published online before print September 16, 2019, 0717-8907R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.55.4.0717-8907R2
Kristian Behrens
Kristian Behrens is a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada; National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation; and CEPR, UK. E-mail: . Matthieu Chemin is a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, McGill University, Canada; CIREQ, Canada; and CIRANO, Canada. E-mail: .
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Matthieu Chemin
Kristian Behrens is a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada; National Research University Higher School of Economics, Russian Federation; and CEPR, UK. E-mail: . Matthieu Chemin is a professor of economics in the Department of Economics, McGill University, Canada; CIREQ, Canada; and CIRANO, Canada. E-mail: .
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Abstract

Individuals tend to free-ride in teams, thus providing inefficiently low effort. We implement a system of confidential peer review in a randomly selected set of teams, whereby teammates fill an online survey to review the effort of their peers. These reviews are not linked to any rewards or sanctions, thus making them non-binding. We find that non-binding peer reviews increase effort and team productivity and do not decrease worker morale. The effects are stronger for low-ability individuals in low-ability teams where the traditional forces of peer effects may be absent.

JEL Codes
  • J24
  • I20

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
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Non-binding Peer Review and Effort in Teams: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Kristian Behrens, Matthieu Chemin
Journal of Human Resources Sep 2019, 0717-8907R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.55.4.0717-8907R2

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Non-binding Peer Review and Effort in Teams: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Kristian Behrens, Matthieu Chemin
Journal of Human Resources Sep 2019, 0717-8907R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.55.4.0717-8907R2
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