Zhang, Yu, Jaeok Park, and Mihaela Van Der Schaar. "Rating protocols in online communities." ACM Transactions on Economics and Computation (TEAC) 2.1 (2014): 1-34.

This article addresses the challenge of fostering cooperation among self-interested individuals in online communities, where anonymity, dynamic participation, and diverse interests complicate incentive structures. The authors propose a novel framework for creating incentive schemes based on rating protocols, which include both a rating system and a recommended strategy for participants. The concept of sustainable rating protocols is introduced, ensuring that individuals are motivated to follow the community guidelines to maintain or improve their standing. The study seeks to identify optimal rating protocols that maximize social welfare while considering factors such as the effects of unilateral ratings, punishment duration, and the tendency of individuals to reset their reputation through whitewashing. The findings suggest that carefully designed rating protocols can significantly enhance cooperative behavior in online communities, with the level of cooperation being influenced by specific community attributes.