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Asymmetric volunteer's dilemma game: Theory and experiment

Author

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  • Kawagoe, Toshiji
  • Takizawa, Hirokazu
  • Yamamori, Tetsuo

Abstract

This study explores asymmetric volunteer dilemma games in which players incur different costs for volunteering. Diekmann (1993) conjectures that a player with less cost is more likely to contribute at the equilibrium if it is risk dominant. We have re-examined this hypothesis theoretically and experimentally and found that even when focusing on risk-dominant equilibria, the explanatory power of the theory is not universal. An econometric comparison among several behavioral models including regret aversion shows that quantal response equilibrium best explains the data.

Suggested Citation

  • Kawagoe, Toshiji & Takizawa, Hirokazu & Yamamori, Tetsuo, 2023. "Asymmetric volunteer's dilemma game: Theory and experiment," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 955-977.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:142:y:2023:i:c:p:955-977
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2023.10.009
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Volunteer's dilemma; Risk dominance; Quantal response equilibrium; The depth of reasoning; Inequity aversion; Regret aversion; Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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