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Looking after number two? Competition, cooperation and workplace interaction

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  • Barmby, Tim
  • Sessions, John G.
  • Zangelidis, Alexandros

Abstract

We look for cooperation in a real-world setting in which optometrists absent less frequently in two-chair than one-chair offices because of the externality such behavior imposes on their co-worker. We motivate our empirical analysis by developing a model of worker interdependence in which two workers can either compete or cooperate. We show that, relative to a single worker working in isolation, competition unequivocally increases absence whilst cooperation may increase or decrease absence. Our empirical analysis of a unique data set finds explicit support for cooperative behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Barmby, Tim & Sessions, John G. & Zangelidis, Alexandros, 2016. "Looking after number two? Competition, cooperation and workplace interaction," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 131(PA), pages 166-182.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:131:y:2016:i:pa:p:166-182
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2016.08.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oriana Bandiera & Iwan Barankay & Imran Rasul, 2005. "Social Preferences and the Response to Incentives: Evidence from Personnel Data," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(3), pages 917-962.
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    Cited by:

    1. Courey, Gabriel & Heywood, John S. & McGinty, Matthew, 2021. "Ownership shares and choosing the best leader," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 482-500.
    2. Mario Lackner & Hendrik Sonnabend, 2023. "Presenteeism when employers are under pressure: evidence from a high‐stakes environment," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 90(358), pages 477-507, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Absence; Worker interdependency;

    JEL classification:

    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts
    • J54 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Producer Cooperatives; Labor Managed Firms

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