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On the roots of the intrinsic value of decision rights: Experimental evidence

Author

Listed:
  • João Ferreira

    (University of Southampton)

  • Nobuyuki Hanaki

    (Osaka University [Osaka])

  • Benoît Tarroux

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the motives behind an intrinsic value of decision rights. Based on a series of experimental treatments conducted in France and Japan, we measure how much of such potential value stems from (i) a desire for independence from others, (ii) a desire for power, or (iii) a desire for self-reliance. We find that both Japanese and French subjects attach a significant intrinsic value to hold control. Surprisingly, we find that self-reliance is the only significant motive behind it in both countries.

Suggested Citation

  • João Ferreira & Nobuyuki Hanaki & Benoît Tarroux, 2020. "On the roots of the intrinsic value of decision rights: Experimental evidence," Post-Print halshs-02390525, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02390525
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2019.10.008
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02390525v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Caliendo, Marco & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. & Silva-Goncalves, Juliana & Uhlendorff, Arne, 2024. "Locus of control and the preference for agency," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Justin Buffat & Matthias Praxmarer & Matthias Sutter, 2020. "The Intrinsic Value of Decision Rights: A Note on Team vs Individual Decision-Making," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2020_30, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.
    4. Freundt, Jana & Herz, Holger & KOPP, leander, 2023. "Intrinsic Preferences for Autonomy," FSES Working Papers 530, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Freiburg/Fribourg Switzerland.
    5. Elias Bouacida & Renaud Foucart, 2022. "Rituals of Reason," Working Papers 344119591, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    6. Xu, Zhicheng, 2023. "Obedience to the symbol of authority: Experimental evidence on the symbolic source of legitimate authority," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    7. March, Christoph, 2021. "Strategic interactions between humans and artificial intelligence: Lessons from experiments with computer players," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    8. Jana Freundt & Holger Herz & Leander Kopp, 2023. "Intrinsic Preferences for Choice Autonomy," CESifo Working Paper Series 10342, CESifo.
    9. 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.
    10. Feldhaus, Christoph & Lingens, Jörg & Löschel, Andreas & Zunker, Gerald, 2022. "Encouraging consumer activity through automatic switching of the electricity contract - A field experiment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intrinsic value; Decision rights; Independence; Power; Self-reliance; Crosscultural experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights

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