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Cooperation In Contests

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  • Diane J. Reyniers

Abstract

We use a contest framework to investigate the nature of organizational culture. Organization members decide whether to participate in the contest and if they do participate they have two possible modi operandi: be helpful or not. We state sufficient conditions, in terms of contest design, for the existence of various types of organizational culture and we show the possibility (at equilibrium) of a mixed organizational culture, i.e. the coexistence of two subcultures: a helping one and an individualistic one. We find that cooperation emerges only when prize density is sufficiently high. However, in a mixed culture the degree of cooperation decreases in the number of prizes.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane J. Reyniers, 1996. "Cooperation In Contests," Rationality and Society, , vol. 8(4), pages 413-432, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:8:y:1996:i:4:p:413-432
    DOI: 10.1177/104346396008004004
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    References listed on IDEAS

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