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Who gets the credit? Credit attribution, spillovers, and inefficiency in teams

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  • Ozerturk, Saltuk
  • Yildirim, Huseyin

Abstract

We examine team incentives in environments with positive spillovers and rewards based on ex-post public credit for collective success. Compared to the ex-ante efficient credit allocation that maximizes the team's overall payoff, ex-post credit distorts individual incentives: higher-ability or lower-cost agents receive excessive credit and overexert effort when spillovers are low, but are under-credited and insufficiently motivated when spillovers are high. To address these inefficiencies, organizations may optimally limit spillovers by restricting peer communication or reducing transparency in teamwork. Moreover, concerns about credit-sharing can deter agents from inviting collaborators or selecting the most capable partners when leading projects.

Suggested Citation

  • Ozerturk, Saltuk & Yildirim, Huseyin, 2025. "Who gets the credit? Credit attribution, spillovers, and inefficiency in teams," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 246-266.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:154:y:2025:i:c:p:246-266
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2025.09.005
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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