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Receiving Credit : On Delegation and Responsibility

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  • Argenton, Cedric

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Potters, Jan

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

  • Yang, Yadi

    (Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management)

Abstract

Evidence has shown that blame for a “bad” decision can be shifted by delegating the decision to someone else. We conduct experiments using a four-player delegated dictator game to examine whether the reverse is also true: does one receive credit for taking a “good” decision as compared to delegating the decision to someone else? Our results indicate that the answer is affirmative. A person receives higher rewards when she makes a fair decision herself than when a delegate does. This indicates that responsibility attribution is a double-edged sword that applies to both bad and good outcomes.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Argenton, Cedric & Potters, Jan & Yang, Yadi, 2022. "Receiving Credit : On Delegation and Responsibility," Other publications TiSEM 0f4ecd49-26e3-46c3-bd00-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:tiu:tiutis:0f4ecd49-26e3-46c3-bd00-32a4fe383f25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General

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