What Impedes Efficient Adoption of Products? Evidence from Randomized Sales Offers for Fuel-Efficient Cookstoves in Uganda

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the European Economic Association
Year: 2018
Volume: 16
Issue: 6
Pages: 1850-1880

Score contribution per author:

0.804 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Many consumers do not adopt products with health and wellbeing benefits apparently far greater than their costs. A sales offer combining a free trial, time payments, and the option of returning the product can overcome barriers such as liquidity constraints and poor information about benefits and usability. We tested this sales offer (and alternatives) in an experiment with a fuel-efficient charcoal stove in urban Uganda and a fuel-efficient wood stove in rural Uganda. Consistent with the importance of these barriers, this offer dramatically increased uptake—in urban Kampala, from 4% to 46%, and in rural Mbarara, from 5% to 57%.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:jeurec:v:16:y:2018:i:6:p:1850-1880.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-24