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From Me to We: Beating Procrastination in Teams

Author

Listed:
  • Anujit Chakraborty
  • Guidon Fenig

    (Department of Economics, University of California Davis)

Abstract

Can team incentives increase worker's productivity and decrease procrastination in intertemporal tasks? We recruited just under 600 online workers to engage in tedious tasks over three days. They were randomly assigned to either individualistic (Solo) incentives or to one of two team-based incentives (Cooperative and Competitive). Contrary to theoretical predictions, workers under Cooperative incentives surpassed the performance of those working under either Solo or Competitive incentives. Productivity on Day 1, which in theory should inversely relate to procrastination, was also significantly higher in both team treatments. Our structural analysis confirms that teams increase productivity by enhancing intrinsic motivation and by reducing the tendency to delay work. Finally, teams increase productivity further under Competitive incentives, when workers can observe and react to the efforts of their team members.

Suggested Citation

  • Anujit Chakraborty & Guidon Fenig, 2022. "From Me to We: Beating Procrastination in Teams," Working Papers 350, University of California, Davis, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:cda:wpaper:350
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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia Cerrone & Anujit Chakraborty & Hyok Jung Kim & Leonhard Lades, 2023. "Estimating Present Bias and Sophistication over Effort and Money," Working Papers 359, University of California, Davis, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics

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