RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Nonbinding Peer Review and Effort in Teams
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1365
OP 1399
DO 10.3368/jhr.55.4.0717-8907R2
VO 55
IS 4
A1 Kristian Behrens
A1 Matthieu Chemin
YR 2020
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/55/4/1365.abstract
AB 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 complete an online survey to review the effort of their peers. These reviews are not linked to any rewards or sanctions, thus making them nonbinding. We find that nonbinding 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.