The timing of choice-enhancing policies

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Public Economics
Year: 2018
Volume: 157
Issue: C
Pages: 27-40

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Recent studies investigate policies motivating consumers to make an active choice as a way to protect unsophisticated consumers. We analyze the optimal timing of such choice-enhancing policies when a firm can strategically react to them. In the model, a firm provides a contract with automatic renewal. We show that a policy intending to enhance consumers’ choices when they choose a contract can be detrimental to welfare. By contrast, a choice-enhancing policy at the time of contract renewal increases welfare more robustly. Our results highlight that policies should be targeted in timing to the actual choice inefficiency.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:pubeco:v:157:y:2018:i:c:p:27-40
Journal Field
Public
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26