Full Citation

Title: Social Opprobrium and Compliance: Evidence from Water Conservation

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2023

ISBN:

ISSN: 2212-4284

DOI: 10.1016/J.WRE.2023.100218

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: In this paper, I investigate the joint impacts of top-down targets and social opprobrium on aggregate compliance with government mandates for resource conservation. I use data on urban water usage, local agency enforcement, and reports of water waste by private citizens in California during a period of severe drought in which a year-long mandate for water conservation was imposed. During the mandate, private citizens engaged in opprobrium by “drought shaming” customers engaged in “water waste.” I find that increases in complaints regarding water waste led to increases in follow-up actions by local agencies, increased levels of cumulative water conservation, and increased compliance with state-mandated targets. The findings suggest that private citizen involvement in the form of social opprobrium is an important aspect of local agency compliance.

Url: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212428423000038

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Authors: El-Khattabi, Ahmed Rachid

Periodical (Full): Water Resources and Economics

Issue:

Volume: 42

Pages: 1-21

Data Collections: IPUMS NHGIS

Topics: Natural Resource Management

Countries: