Jeffrey K. MacKie-Mason

Why Share on Peer-to-Peer Networks? (Download full paper)

Lian Jian and Jeffrey K. MacKie-Mason

Published on: August, 2008

Abstract: Prior theory and empirical work emphasize the enormous free-riding problem facing peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing networks. Nonetheless, many P2P networks thrive. We explore two possible explanations: private provision of public goods and generalized reciprocity. We investigate a particular form of private incentives to share content: redistributing traffic in the network to the advantage of the sharing peer. Our preliminary model suggests that this incentive is likely insufficient to motivate equilibrium content sharing in large networks. We then approach P2P networks as a graph-theoretic problem and derive sufficient conditions for sharing and free-riding to co-exist in the absence of direct sharing benefits or an explicit incentive mechanism.

Online Fund-Raising Mechanisms: A Field Experiment (Download full paper)

Yan Chen, Xin Li, and Jeffrey K. MacKie-Mason

Published on: January, 2006

Abstract: We implemented one of the first web-based online field experiments of fund-raising. We embedded our experiment in the Internet Public Library to test comparatively four mechanisms: Voluntary Contribution (VCM), Premium, Seed Money and Matching. The Premium and Matching mechanisms each generate higher contribution rate than VCM, while the gift size is not significantly different across mechanisms. Because this is one of the earliest embedded, web-based field experiments we report our methodology findings in some detail. Using pop-up windows and asking for non-privacy-invasive geographic information were ineffective as participant assignment techniques. Evidence of desire to donate inferred from participant clickstream data is a poor predictor of actual giving.