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Competitiveness in dynamic group contests: Evidence from combined field and lab data

Author Info

Listed author(s):
  • Yann Girard

    ()

    (GSEFM, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany)

  • Florian Hett

    ()

    (GSEFM, University of Mainz, Germany)

Abstract

We analyse data from a field setting in which students participate in a dynamic group contest with feedback. We combine this information with a laboratory measure of competitiveness. We ?nd that competitive groups perform worse overall. In addition, we find that participants react to intermediate performance: A better rank in a given period increases the number of points in the subsequent period, even after controlling for group and time fixed effects. The effect is significantly stronger for competitive groups. We show that this difference in the sensitivity to dynamic incentives can explain the overall negative effect of competitiveness on performance.

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File URL: http://www.macro.economics.uni-mainz.de/RePEc/pdf/Discussion_Paper_1303.pdf
File Function: First version, 2013
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Paper provided by Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz in its series Working Papers with number 1303.

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Length: 35 pages
Date of creation: 01 Apr 2013
Date of revision: 01 Apr 2013
Handle: RePEc:jgu:wpaper:1303
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Keywords: Dynamic contest; competitiveness; field experiments; lab experiments; rank feedback;

Find related papers by JEL classification:

  • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
  • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
  • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
  • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
  • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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