Film rentals and procrastination
Subtitle: a study of intertemporal reversals in preferences and intrapersonal conflict
By: Katherine L. Milkman, Todd Rogers, Max H. Bazerman
Contributors: Rogers, Todd; Bazerman, Max H.; Harvard Business School. Division of Research
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 07-099; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 07-099
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Boston
Language: eng
Number of pages: 20
Description: We report on a field study demonstrating systematic differences between the preferences people anticipate they will have in the future and their subsequent revealed preferences. We examine the film rental and return patterns of a sample of online DVD rental customers over a period of four months. We predict and find that people are more likely to rent DVDs in one order and return them in the reverse order when should DVDs (e.g., documentaries) are rented before want DVDs (e.g., action films). Similarly, we also predict and find that should DVDs are held longer than want DVDs.
Notes: "June 5, 2007"--Added t.p.

Includes bibliographical references.