Tale of Two Green Communities: Energy Informatics and Social Competition on Energy Conservation Behavior

This study explores whether providing information on energy consumption is effective in changing energy consumption behavior. More specifically, in groups with collectivist culture, energy informatics have a significant role in inducing active participation and engagement in energy conservation efforts. Using data collected from energy monitoring competitions conducted in student residence halls of a university, I find that energy competition has positive influence in reducing energy consumption for cohesive dorms, whereas it has adverse effect for less cohesive ones . The findings of the study indicate suggest that the role of information on the energy saving is conditional on existing culture in communities. I discuss the managerial implications of the findings.