The Incentives for Contributing Digital Contents Over P2P Networks: An Empirical Investigation

NANDI, Tushar K. and ROCHELANDET, Fabrice (2008): The Incentives for Contributing Digital Contents Over P2P Networks: An Empirical Investigation. Published in: Review of Economic Research on Copyright Issues , Vol. 5, No. 2

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the determinants of sharing behaviour by envisaging two types of behaviour, namely contribution against free riding. In doing so, we evaluate the theoretical predictions about reciprocity and altruism in the presence of non-rival goods and anonymity. We use a probit model and primary data from a survey that collects information about P2P sharing behaviour of more than 2000 individuals. Our econometric results suggest that the motivations for contributing are poorly determined by rational self-interested behaviour. We then envisage policy implications in terms of copyright enforcement and business.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: P2P, free riding, sharing
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D0 - General; H - Public Economics > H4 - Publicly Provided Goods; L - Industrial Organization > L1 - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance; Z - Other Special Topics > Z1 - Cultural Economics ; Economic Sociology ; Economic Anthropology

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