Abstract
This paper explores the demand for soft, self-imposed commitment, and subsequent compliance behaviour, using a framed field study in a higher education setting. We find a substantial soft commitment demand and a remarkably high failure to comply with the chosen commitment. Students are more likely to demand soft commitment if they expect the task to be more time-consuming and their relative performance to be lower. Failure to comply is associated with previous grade and personality traits. We find no evidence that soft commitment affects grades.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1140-1146 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | APPLIED ECONOMICS LETTERS |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 16 |
Early online date | 17 Nov 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- soft commitment; deadlines; procrastination; education