Melbourne Accounting Research Seminar - Adam Presslee

Adam Presslee from the University of Waterloo will present a MARS seminar.

Topic: Peer-to-Peer Recognition Leaderboards and Employee Helping Behaviour

Abstract: Firms commonly use leaderboards within their peer-to-peer recognition programs, yet there is considerable variation in the measure used to determine leaderboard rankings. We experimentally investigate how such variation in leaderboard ranking basis affects employees’ helping behavior. We find that leaderboards ranking employees based on the number of times peer-to-peer recognition is received diminish helping compared to when no leaderboard is provided. Conversely, leaderboards ranking employees based on the number of times peer-to-peer recognition is given enhances helping compared to when no leaderboard is provided. These findings underscore the influence of ranking basis on shaping social norms and related motivation linked to helping behavior. Further, these findings highlight for firms the importance of judiciously selecting a ranking basis when utilizing peer-to-peer recognition leaderboards.

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