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A Cross-Country Study of Preferences for Choice Autonomy

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Listed:
  • Jana Freundt
  • Holger Herz

Abstract

We establish the existence of intrinsic preferences for choice autonomy, defined as a preference for own choice in the absence of any instrumental value of choice, in large general population samples in nine countries using a novel preference elicitation tool. We find that such preferences are widespread, but also reveal stark differences across countries. Within countries, individuals who place a higher value on self-reliance and personal identity exhibit stronger intrinsic preferences for choice autonomy. In our small cross-country sample, we find suggestive evidence that differences are correlated with power distance, but not with measures of individualism, and that differences are predictive of managerial decentralization across countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Freundt & Holger Herz, 2025. "A Cross-Country Study of Preferences for Choice Autonomy," CESifo Working Paper Series 12238, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Björn Bartling & Ernst Fehr & Holger Herz, 2014. "The Intrinsic Value of Decision Rights," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 82, pages 2005-2039, November.
    2. Randolph Sloof & Ferdinand A. Siemens, 2017. "Illusion of control and the pursuit of authority," Experimental Economics, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 20(3), pages 556-573, September.
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    5. Wouter Dessein & Richard Holden, 2022. "Organizations with Power-Hungry Agents," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 65(S1), pages 263-291.
    6. Jana Freundt & Holger Herz, 2024. "From Partisanship to Preference: How Identity Shapes Dependence Aversion," CESifo Working Paper Series 11304, CESifo.
    7. Buchan, Nancy & Croson, Rachel, 2004. "The boundaries of trust: own and others' actions in the US and China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 55(4), pages 485-504, December.
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      • Simon Gaechter & Benedikt Herrmann & Christian Thoeni, 2010. "Culture and Cooperation," Discussion Papers 2010-09, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
      • Simon Gaechter & Benedikt Herrmann & Christian Thoeni, 2010. "Culture and Cooperation," Discussion Papers 2010-09, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
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    10. Jonathan Chapman & Erik Snowberg & Stephanie W. Wang & Colin Camerer, 2022. "Looming Large or Seeming Small? Attitudes Towards Losses in a Representative Sample," NBER Working Papers 30243, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    12. Till O. Weber & Benjamin Beranek & Simon Gaechter & Fatima Lambarraa-Lehnhardt & Jonathan F. Schulz, 2021. "The Behavioural Mechanisms of Voluntary Cooperation in WEIRD and Non-WEIRD Societies," Discussion Papers 2021-03, The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham.
    13. Dieckmann, Anja & Grimm, Veronika & Unfried, Matthias & Utikal, Verena & Valmasoni, Lorenzo, 2016. "On trust in honesty and volunteering among Europeans: Cross-country evidence on perceptions and behavior," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 225-253.
    14. Bruhin, Adrian & Janizzi, Kelly & Thöni, Christian, 2020. "Uncovering the heterogeneity behind cross-cultural variation in antisocial punishment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 291-308.
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    16. Nicholas Bloom & Raffaella Sadun, 2012. "The Organization of Firms Across Countries," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 127(4), pages 1663-1705.
    17. Buffat, Justin & Praxmarer, Matthias & Sutter, Matthias, 2023. "The intrinsic value of decision rights: A replication and an extension to team decision making," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 560-571.
    18. Ferdinand M. Vieider & Mathieu Lefebvre & Ranoua Bouchouicha & Thorsten Chmura & Rustamdjan Hakimov & Michal Krawczyk & Peter Martinsson, 2015. "Common Components Of Risk And Uncertainty Attitudes Across Contexts And Domains: Evidence From 30 Countries," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 13(3), pages 421-452, June.
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    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics

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