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An Economic Approach to Voluntary Association

Author

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  • Ekaterina Melnik

    (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Jean-Benoît Zimmermann

    (GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

We develop an economic model of association based on voluntary contributions. Different equilibria corresponding to the different modes of formation of associations are analyzed and the results are compared with the existing empirical literature. The main contribution consists in analyzing voluntary associations as a means of providing collective consumption goods or services while allowing for some heterogeneity of preferences concerning the quality of these goods or services. Thus we introduce the concept of subjective quality as a possible incentive for volunteering. The model stresses the importance of non-pecuniary rewards and of accepted differentiation for the well-functioning of voluntary organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekaterina Melnik & Jean-Benoît Zimmermann, 2010. "An Economic Approach to Voluntary Association," Working Papers halshs-00537766, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00537766
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00537766
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

    Voluntary Association; Public Good; Volunteering;
    All these keywords.

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