Self Selection and Information Role of Online Product Reviews

Information Systems Research, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 456-474, 2008

38 Pages Posted: 23 Oct 2007 Last revised: 3 Aug 2014

See all articles by Xinxin Li

Xinxin Li

University of Connecticut - Department of Operations & Information Management

Lorin M. Hitt

University of Pennsylvania - Operations & Information Management Department

Date Written: September 1, 2007

Abstract

Online product reviews may be subject to self-selection biases that impact consumer purchase behavior, online ratings' time series, and consumer surplus. This occurs if early buyers hold different preferences than do later consumers regarding the quality of a given product. Readers of early product reviews may not successfully correct for these preference differences when interpreting ratings and making purchases. In this study, we develop a model that examines how idiosyncratic preferences of early buyers can affect long-term consumer purchase behavior as well as the social welfare created by review systems. Our model provides an explanation for the structure of product ratings over time, which we empirically test using online book reviews posted on Amazon.com. Our analysis suggests that firms could potentially benefit from altering their marketing strategies, such as pricing, advertising, or product design, to encourage consumers likely to yield positive reports to self-select into the market early and generate positive word of mouth for new products. On the other hand, self-selection bias, if not corrected, decreases consumer surplus.

Keywords: online product reviews, self selection, consumer heterogeneity, herding

JEL Classification: C23, C40, D60, D80, L10, L86, M31

Suggested Citation

Li, Xinxin and Hitt, Lorin M., Self Selection and Information Role of Online Product Reviews (September 1, 2007). Information Systems Research, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 456-474, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1019641

Xinxin Li (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut - Department of Operations & Information Management ( email )

2100A Hillside Rd
Storrs, CT 06269
United States
(860) 486-3062 (Phone)

Lorin M. Hitt

University of Pennsylvania - Operations & Information Management Department ( email )

571 Jon M. Huntsman Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
215-898-7730 (Phone)
215-898-3664 (Fax)

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