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Incentives for Cooperation in Teams: Sociality Meets Decision Rights

Author

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  • Butz, Britta

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Guillen Alvarez, Pablo

    (University of Sydney)

  • Harbring, Christine

    (RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

We investigate the effect of a donation incentive tied to contributions to a public good when group members can decide on the size of the donation to be made. An up to 20 % donation of the public good was implemented either exogenously or endogenously by group members. In the Vote treatment, groups could either decide in favor of or against a donation of 20 % of the public good; in the Vote Share treatment, subjects could decide on a donation share of between 0 % and 20 %. Results show that a large percentage of the participants vote in favor of implementing a donation share in both treatments. Voting in favor of a 20 % donation share or endogenously implementing a high donation share in the Vote Share treatment has positive effects on contributions to the public good compared to an exogenously implemented donation share.

Suggested Citation

  • Butz, Britta & Guillen Alvarez, Pablo & Harbring, Christine, 2021. "Incentives for Cooperation in Teams: Sociality Meets Decision Rights," IZA Discussion Papers 14242, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14242
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D70 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - General
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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