How do sanctions and communication affect cooperative behaviors in non-monetary platforms of collaborative consumption? An experimental study

Abstract

Governance is an essential feature of collaborative platforms, as it refers to the rules adopted to stimulate users towards cooperative behaviors. However, little is known about governance on non-monetary platforms, in which sharing is free. Based on the theory of social dilemmas, we analyze the effects of sanctions and communication mechanisms on cooperation, and the moderating effect of disposition to trust. We conducted an experimental study exposing one group to a scenario subject to social and monetary punishment, and another group to a scenario with greater information transparency between users. The results show that sanctions and communication increased cooperation similarly and that their effect was more significant among people with a low disposition to trust. This means that more transparency of information can be a mechanism that leverages cooperation without the need for external controls or incentives. Our study offers theoretical contributions to the field of collaborative platforms and also managerial implications for practitioners involved in the governance of platforms.