Online social networks are used by hundreds of millions of people every day, but little is known about their effect on behavior. In five experiments, we demonstrate that social network use enhances self-esteem in users who are focused on close friends (i.e., strong ties) while browsing their...

In the context of user-generated content (UGC), mobile devices have made it easier for consumers to review products and services in a timely manner. In practice, some UGC sites differentiate between reviews posted from mobile versus non-mobile devices. For example, TripAdvisor uses a “via...

The popularity of social media has led to many brands using platforms such as Facebook for marketing communications, typically whereby brands post content (text, images, and/or videos) on their social media pages for their consumer “fans” to see and, hopefully, engage with. Despite the...

Why do consumers avoid creditors when they send messages that put pressure on consumers to repay their debts? This behavior, called creditor avoidance, ultimately hurts consumers but many still engage in it despite it being against their best financial interests. To better understand factors...