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Real-effort in the Multilevel Public Goods Game

Author

Listed:
  • Catola Marco

    (School of Business and Economics, 5211 Maastricht University , Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Guarnieri Pietro

    (Department of Economics and Management, 9310 University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy)

  • Marcon Laura

    (Department of Economics and Management, 9310 University of Pisa , Pisa, Italy)

  • Spadoni Lorenzo

    (Department of Economics and Law, 18962 University of Cassino and Southern Lazio , Cassino, Italy)

Abstract

We investigate the extent to which a real-effort effect and an inequality effect impact individuals’ prosocial behavior in the multilevel public goods game. We explore two symmetrical treatments: one where everyone participates in a preliminary task to obtain their initial endowment, and another where no one does, to assess the real-effort effect. Additionally, we examine two asymmetrical treatments where only individuals from one local group engage in the preliminary task to study the inequality effect. We find evidence that the contribution to the local public good is stable across all treatments, while the contribution to the global public good is significantly lower when both groups perform the preliminary task.

Suggested Citation

  • Catola Marco & Guarnieri Pietro & Marcon Laura & Spadoni Lorenzo, 2024. "Real-effort in the Multilevel Public Goods Game," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 24(3), pages 965-974.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejeap:v:24:y:2024:i:3:p:965-974:n:1012
    DOI: 10.1515/bejeap-2024-0003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    multilevel public goods game; online experiment; efficiency; social dilemma;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • H4 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods

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