Real-Time Feedback Systems, Recordkeeping and the Task Selection Bias

With the emergence of new technologies, the use of real-time feedback systems where employees have a choice over whether and how frequently they want to get feedback is increasing. In this study, we experimentally examine individuals’ tendency to choose easier tasks over difficult tasks (also known as the task selection bias) under real-time feedback systems. We find that real-time feedback systems lead to a higher task selection bias and that recordkeeping can reduce the task selection bias induced by real-time feedback systems. Our findings also reveal that planning and dynamic sequencing (where the system suggests the next task based on a plan) do not have an incremental effect over recordkeeping in reducing the task selection bias. Our study uncovers how modern accounting systems influence task selection and tests how real-time feedback systems could be modified to mitigate the task-selection bias induced by real-time feedback systems.

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