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Becoming “We” Instead of “I”, Identity Management and Incentives in the Workplace

Author

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  • Jocelyn Donze
  • Trude Gunnes

Abstract

In this article, we propose to view the firm as a locus of socialization in which employees with heterogeneous work attitudes can be motivated and coordinated through adherence to a social ideal of effort. We develop an agency model in which employees have both a personal and a social ideal of effort. The firm does not observe the personal ideals, but can make its workforce more sensitive to the social ideal by fostering interaction in the workplace. We show that there are two reasons why the firm invests in social bonding. First, it reinforces the effectiveness of monetary incentives. Second, strengthening the social ideal reduces the adverse selection problem and the need to devise distorted payment schemes. We also show that the firm allocates more time to social interaction when personal ideals of effort are low or heterogeneous.

Suggested Citation

  • Jocelyn Donze & Trude Gunnes, 2015. "Becoming “We” Instead of “I”, Identity Management and Incentives in the Workplace," Working Papers of BETA 2015-09, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:ulp:sbbeta:2015-09
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    2. Barigozzi, Francesca & Cremer, Helmuth, 2024. "Shining with the stars: Competition, screening, and concern for coworkers' quality," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 250-283.
    3. Trude Gunnes, 2021. "Norms and financial incentives: A model of how to fund universities," Review of Economics and Institutions, Università di Perugia, vol. 12(1).
    4. Donze, Jocelyn & Simard-Casanova, Olivier, 2018. "Managing Employees 'Insides' to Remedy Agency Problems? A Model of Transformational Leadership," MPRA Paper 94459, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Argyro Avgoustaki & Almudena Cañibano, 2020. "Motivational Drivers of Extensive Work Effort: Are Long Hours Always Detrimental to Well‐being?," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(3), pages 355-398, July.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D2 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • J3 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

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