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Do business and economics studies erode prosocial values?

Author

Listed:
  • Sundemo, Mattias

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

  • Löfgren, Åsa

    (Department of Economics, School of Business, Economics and Law, Göteborg University)

Abstract

Does exposure to business and economics education make students less prosocial and more selfish? Employing adifference-in-difference strategy with panel-data from three subsequent cohorts of students enrolled in a Business and Economics bachelor’s program (>900 students), we find that business and economics students become less prosocial over time relative to a control group of comparable students. Importantly, younger students appear to be significantly more malleable with respect to their to prosocial values. Furthermore, we observe heterogeneous effects across majors such as accounting, finance, and economics. Our research demonstrates a strong correlation between prosocial values and generous behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Sundemo, Mattias & Löfgren, Åsa, 2022. "Do business and economics studies erode prosocial values?," Working Papers in Economics 827, University of Gothenburg, Department of Economics, revised Jan 2024.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:gunwpe:0827
    as

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    indoctrination; education; selection effect; economics education; business education; gender; prosociality; prosocial behavior; self-interest;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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