Published January 31, 2023 | public
Journal Article

Using Preference Estimates to Customize Incentives: An Application to Polio Vaccination Drives in Pakistan

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Abstract

We use estimates of time preferences to customize incentives for polio vaccinators in Lahore, Pakistan. We measure time preferences using intertemporal allocations of effort, and use these estimates to construct individually tailored incentives. We evaluate the effect of matching contract terms to discounting parameters in a subsequent experiment with the same vaccinators. Our tailored policy is compared with alternatives that either rely on atheoretic reduced-form relationships for policy guidance or apply the same policy to all individuals. We find that contracts tailored to individual discounting outperform this range of policy alternatives.

Additional details

Created:
August 22, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023