Contagious Dishonesty: Corruption Scandals and Supermarket Theft

  • BSE Working Paper: 1267 | July 21
  • Keywords: crime , corruption , consumer behavior , norms
  • JEL codes: D73, K42, Z1, A13
  • crime
  • corruption
  • consumer behavior
  • norms
Download PDF Download pdf Icon

Abstract

Is dishonest behavior contagious? We answer this question by studying whether corruption scandals affect the propensity of supermarket customers to steal while using a self-service checkout system. Crucially, this system allows shoppers to engage in dishonest behavior by under-reporting the value of their shopping cart. Exploiting data from random audits on shoppers, we show that the probability of stealing increases by 16% after a local corruption scandal breaks. This effect is not driven by any change in material incentives. Suggestive evidence shows that it is driven by a reduction in the self-imposed cost of stealing triggered by emotions.

Subscribe to our newsletter
Want to receive the latest news and updates from the BSE? Share your details below.
Founding Institutions
Distinctions
Logo BSE
© Barcelona Graduate School of
Economics. All rights reserved.
FacebookInstagramLinkedinXYoutube