Contributing for Myself, but Free riding for My Group?
-
Yoshio Iida
Abstract
Many real-world decisions are made by individuals as representatives of groups. Most research, however, studies either individuals or groups as decision-makers. This paper explores whether there is a general difference between a decision made as an individual and as a representative of a group in the context of a public good game. We conducted a series of experiments to test this question and to understand mechanisms contributing to potential differences. We found that representatives contributed less than individuals when they could not communicate with their constituency. However, when they could discuss their strategy before playing, they contributed at least as much as individual decision-makers. Furthermore, when they could justify their decision after playing, they contributed even more than individual decision-makers. We discuss potential reasons for this and directions for future research.
© 2019 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- The Role of Migration in the Variety and Quality of Trade: Evidence from Germany
- Status Goods and Market Powers
- Contributing for Myself, but Free riding for My Group?
- Efficiency Defense in EU and US Horizontal Merger Control if Costs are Endogenous
- Analyzing Educational Achievement Differences between Second-Generation Immigrants: Comparing Germany and German-Speaking Switzerland
- Vertically Linked Industries, Product Quality and Minimum Quality Standards
- NAIRU Estimates for Germany: New Evidence on the Inflation–Unemployment Tradeoff
Articles in the same Issue
- The Role of Migration in the Variety and Quality of Trade: Evidence from Germany
- Status Goods and Market Powers
- Contributing for Myself, but Free riding for My Group?
- Efficiency Defense in EU and US Horizontal Merger Control if Costs are Endogenous
- Analyzing Educational Achievement Differences between Second-Generation Immigrants: Comparing Germany and German-Speaking Switzerland
- Vertically Linked Industries, Product Quality and Minimum Quality Standards
- NAIRU Estimates for Germany: New Evidence on the Inflation–Unemployment Tradeoff
