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Cooperation in a Company: A Large-Scale Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Deversi, Marvin

    (University of Munich (LMU))

  • Kocher, Martin G.

    (Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, University of Vienna, and University of Gothenburg)

  • Schwieren, Christiane

    (University of Heidelberg)

Abstract

We analyze cooperation within a company setting in order to study the relationshipbetween cooperative attitudes and financial as well as non-financial rewards. In to-tal, 910 employees of a large software company participate in an incentivized onlineexperiment. We observe high levels of cooperation and the typical conditional con-tribution patterns in a modified public goods game. When linking experiment andcompany record data, we observe that cooperative attitudes of employees do not payoff in terms of financial rewards within the company. Rather, cooperative employeesreceive non-financial benefits such as recognition or friendship as the main rewardmedium. In contrast to most studies in the experimental laboratory, sustained levelsof cooperation in our company setting relate to non-financial values of cooperationrather than solely to financial incentives.

Suggested Citation

  • Deversi, Marvin & Kocher, Martin G. & Schwieren, Christiane, 2020. "Cooperation in a Company: A Large-Scale Experiment," IHS Working Paper Series 15, Institute for Advanced Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ihs:ihswps:15
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    File URL: https://irihs.ihs.ac.at/id/eprint/5330/
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Svajone Bekesiene & Rasa Smaliukiene, 2022. "Personal Growth under Stress: Mediating Effects of Unit Cohesion and Leadership during Mandatory Military Training," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-17, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cooperation; social dilemma; field experiment; company;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D23 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Organizational Behavior; Transaction Costs; Property Rights
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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