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Intrinsic Motivation and the Logic of Collective Action: The Impact of Selective Incentives

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  • Andreas P. Kyriacou

Abstract

I integrate the notion of intrinsic motivation, applied to economics most notably by Frey (1997), into the logic of individual contributions toward collective goods as analyzed since Olson ([1965] 1971). This illuminates the many and various ways through which the intrinsic motivation to contribute toward such goods can be crowded out by the application of selective incentives. I suggest that the crowding‐out effect increases the cost to society of organizing the provision of collective goods and argue in favor of designing selective incentives that mitigate this effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas P. Kyriacou, 2010. "Intrinsic Motivation and the Logic of Collective Action: The Impact of Selective Incentives," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 69(2), pages 823-839, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:69:y:2010:i:2:p:823-839
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2010.00722.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Vaidyanatha, Abhi & Charness, Gary, 2020. "In-group identification and motivation crowding," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 866-874.
    3. Narloch, Ulf & Pascual, Unai & Drucker, Adam G., 2012. "Collective Action Dynamics under External Rewards: Experimental Insights from Andean Farming Communities," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(10), pages 2096-2107.
    4. Andreas P. Kyriacou, 2011. "Rational Irrationality and Group Size: The Effect of Biased Beliefs on Individual Contributions Towards Collective Goods," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 70(1), pages 109-130, January.

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