What does this research mean for the field?

Rating inflation behavior follows an inverted U-shape over a reviewer's lifecycle, driven by shifting forms of reciprocity as they socialize within a platform community. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Examine how and why rating inflation evolves over time as reviewers socialize and interact with platform affordances in an online reputation community.

September 3, 2026Information Systems Research

Inflation in Reputation Systems? Newcomers, Veterans, and Socialization within a Platform Community

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Authors

MMMareike MöhlmannBentley University NBNicholas BerenteUniversity of Notre Dame YSYoonseock SonUniversity of Notre Dame

Discussion

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Implication

Exploratory mixed-method study reveals an inverted U-shaped rating inflation path in online reviewers, indicating veteran socialization promotes candid evaluations via generalized reciprocity.

Key Points

Examine how and why rating inflation evolves over time as reviewers socialize and interact with platform affordances in an online reputation community.
Employed an exploratory mixed-method study design evaluating reviewer rating behaviors across platform lifecycles.
Applied the theoretical framework of reciprocity to categorize reviewer development into Newcomer, Inflator, and Veteran phases.
Reviewer behavior evolves across three distinct archetypes: unsocialized Newcomers who rarely inflate ratings, Inflators guided by direct reciprocal norms, and Veterans driven by generalized community reciprocity.
Rating inflation follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory across reviewer tenure, where mature community socialization eventually curbs rating inflation in favor of candid evaluations.

Cite This Study

Möhlmann et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a99352e636c6408cfa7d2d6 https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2022.0321

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Implication

Exploratory mixed-method study reveals an inverted U-shaped rating inflation path in online reviewers, indicating veteran socialization promotes candid evaluations via generalized reciprocity.

Inflation in Reputation Systems? Newcomers, Veterans, and Socialization within a Platform Community

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Inflation in Reputation Systems? Newcomers, Veterans, and Socialization within a Platform Community

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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