Consumer Inaction Traps

• Author / Creator

  Brigden, Neil S

• This dissertation proposes and tests a theory of consumer inaction traps – situations where consumers repeatedly fail to take actions to address relatively small problems, and end up suffering disproportionately from these problems as a result. I demonstrate that initially forgoing action leads to a trap where subsequent opportunities to address a problem are not taken because they are relatively less attractive than opportunities that were previously foregone. I show that this trap can be avoided by removing the opportunity for initial inaction, by eliminating the consumer’s responsibility for the initial inaction, or by decoupling the current opportunity to address the problem from previous opportunities. Specific examples of these inaction traps are examined using incentive compatible experiments in the domains of product malfunctions (Essay 1) and declining investments (Essay 2). Experimental manipulations are used to both pinpoint the mechanism underlying these effects, and identify potential interventions to reduce or eliminate the impact of these traps.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Product malfunctions
  • Inaction inertia
  • Consumption experience
  • Investment decisions
  • Decision deferral

• Graduation date

  Fall 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3CZ32B9Q

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.