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Loyalty Without Trust

Author

Listed:
  • Renaud Foucart

    (Lancaster University ManagementSchool, UK)

  • Jonathan H.W. Tan

    (Department of Economics, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)

Abstract

We propose and test a model of loyalty in games. Players ca nmutually develop loyalty by working towards a common goal that is Pareto-superior to any Nash equilibrium without it. Loyalty imposes a psychological cost on defecting in an ongoing cooperation, which is sufficient to sustain cooperation. Data on two dynamic games from a field experiment conducted in a Pakistani factory disentangle its effects from reciprocity and strongly support its validity. Loyalty begets cooperation, but unlike reciprocity it does not require individually costly trust. Loyalty holds across games and strengthens with social proximity.

Suggested Citation

  • Renaud Foucart & Jonathan H.W. Tan, 2019. "Loyalty Without Trust," Economic Growth Centre Working Paper Series 1903, Nanyang Technological University, School of Social Sciences, Economic Growth Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:nan:wpaper:1903
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    File URL: https://web.hss.ntu.edu.sg/egc/wp/2019/2019-03.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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