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Mutual monitoring, approval motivation and fostering cooperation in teams

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  • Jonathan Levy

    (Monash University)

Abstract

We establish whether the efficacy of mutual monitoring in fostering cooperation is dependent on the degree of approval motivation within teams. Approval motivation is defined as the desire to produce positive perceptions in others and the incentive to acquire the approval of others as well as the desire to avoid disapproval, (Martin in J Personality Assess 48(5):508–519, 1984). Contrary to the theoretical predictions, the results from the experiment suggest that mutual monitoring was not effective in fostering cooperation in teams. Furthermore, the efficacy of mutual monitoring in fostering cooperation was not correlated with the degree of approval motivation within teams.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Levy, 2021. "Mutual monitoring, approval motivation and fostering cooperation in teams," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 7(1), pages 74-87, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:7:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s40881-021-00106-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-021-00106-8
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cooperation; Public good; Approval motivation; Social norms; Experiments;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D11 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Theory
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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