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Work Motivation and Teams

Author

Listed:
  • Simone Haeckl

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Rupert Sausgruber

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Jean-Robert Tyran

    (Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen)

Abstract

We provide a new measure of work motivation and show that motivation shapes the effects of team incentives and observation by peers on performance. In particular, we measure motivation to work hard as the deviation from the money-maximizing benchmark in a real-effort experiment. While we find that average output increases in response to team incentives and observation, we find that highly motivated workers do not respond. The reason is that highly motivated workers already work hard and increasing effort even further is very costly to them.

Suggested Citation

  • Simone Haeckl & Rupert Sausgruber & Jean-Robert Tyran, 2018. "Work Motivation and Teams," Discussion Papers 18-08, University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:kud:kuiedp:1808
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    File URL: https://www.economics.ku.dk/research/publications/wp/dp_2018/papers/1808.pdf
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    Cited by:

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    3. Sausgruber, Rupert & Sonntag, Axel & Tyran, Jean-Robert, 2021. "Disincentives from redistribution: evidence on a dividend of democracy," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    real-effort experiment; cooperation; team; intrinsic motivation; labors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods
    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General

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