EVENT POSTPONED - Ohad Barzilay, Tel Aviv University
EVENT POSTPONED - Ohad Barzilay, Tel Aviv University
The Impact of Social and Community Features on Crowdfunding Performance: Evidence from Kickstarter
The Impact of Social and Community Features on Crowdfunding Performance: Evidence from Kickstarter
Abstract:
Many digital platforms, regardless of their business domain, follow the common practice of incorporating social and community features in order to increase their user engagement and expand their online community. Although this practice is advocated by the literature and clearly makes sense, its implications are not well understood.
In this talk Ohad will present his ongoing research which aspires to untangle the social forces apparent on modern digital platforms and to provide a better understanding of their dynamics. As a testbed, his team studies crowdfunding platforms, that is, designated websites aimed at enabling entrepreneurs to raise money for their project over the Internet. The team uses comprehensive data collected from Kickstarter, the largest crowdfunding platform to date.
Specifically, Ohad will discuss the impact of "playing both sides of the market" – meaning the reciprocal dynamics arise from entrepreneurs who support the campaigns of their peers. This is a joint work with Yael Inbar and David Zvilichovsky.
Ohad's talk is largely based on two recent papers (currently under review). Both are available online:
- Playing Both Sides of the Market: Success and Reciprocity on Crowdfunding Platforms (http://ssrn.com/abstract=2304101)
- Community Impact on Crowdfunding Performance (http://ssrn.com/abstract=2524910)
Bio:
Ohad Barzilay is a faculty member at the Technology Management, Entrepreneurship and Information Systems Department of The Recanati Business School, Faculty of Management, Tel Aviv University. He holds a PhD in computer science in the area of software engineering and he studies the economics of information systems. Ohad uses empirical methods such as machine learning, data mining and big data techniques to study the dynamics on digital platforms and to understand human behavior.
Buffet lunch will be available at 11:45 am.