Artikel

Properties of feedback mechanisms on digital platforms: an exploratory study

Many digital platforms implement feedback mechanisms as a means to control the behavior of their users. However, there is a lack of theoretical explanation regarding the interrelation between design characteristics of feedback mechanisms and their effects. In this study, we interpret feedback mechanisms as a specific type of management control to propose properties as a new theoretical perspective on this problem. Our exploratory study has two objectives. First, we analyze how digital platforms design their feedback mechanisms. Second, we examine to what extent feedback mechanisms comply with standards given in the management control literature for our newly introduced properties. Analyzing the 102 most widely used platforms in Germany, we find dominant patterns in nearly all design characteristics (e.g., query method, submission category and scale level). Furthermore, we find mixed compliance of feedback mechanisms with our introduced properties (e.g., low precision but high sensitivity and verifiability). For a deeper understanding of these results, especially the reasons for the design choices, we conduct 14 semi-structured expert interviews. We find simplicity and inspiration from other platforms to be dominant drivers for design choices.

Sprache
Englisch

Erschienen in
Journal: Journal of Business Economics ; ISSN: 1861-8928 ; Volume: 91 ; Year: 2020 ; Issue: 4 ; Pages: 479-526 ; Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer

Klassifikation
Management
Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation; Networks
Business Administration: General
Thema
Feedback mechanism
Design characteristics
Properties
Digital platform
Management control

Ereignis
Geistige Schöpfung
(wer)
Steur, Andreas J.
Seiter, Mischa
Ereignis
Veröffentlichung
(wer)
Springer
(wo)
Berlin, Heidelberg
(wann)
2020

DOI
doi:10.1007/s11573-020-01009-6
Letzte Aktualisierung
10.03.2025, 11:43 MEZ

Datenpartner

Dieses Objekt wird bereitgestellt von:
ZBW - Deutsche Zentralbibliothek für Wirtschaftswissenschaften - Leibniz-Informationszentrum Wirtschaft. Bei Fragen zum Objekt wenden Sie sich bitte an den Datenpartner.

Objekttyp

  • Artikel

Beteiligte

  • Steur, Andreas J.
  • Seiter, Mischa
  • Springer

Entstanden

  • 2020

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