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Institutions, social norms, and decision-theoretic norms

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  • Dequech, David

Abstract

This article attempts to contribute to the debate on how to define and theorize institutions, particularly regarding normativity and explanations for conformity. Firstly, it proposes some distinctions and concepts: it separates moral from epistemic values, leading to different types of legitimacy and social norms; then it distinguishes different meanings of the term 'normative' and introduces the concept of decision-theoretic norm. Secondly, the article defends a broad concept of institutions by arguing that some institutions are neither social norms nor decision-theoretic ones, a point that matters for institutional change and stability. Some conventions from which innovators break are highlighted as an example.

Suggested Citation

  • Dequech, David, 2009. "Institutions, social norms, and decision-theoretic norms," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 72(1), pages 70-78, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:72:y:2009:i:1:p:70-78
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    Cited by:

    1. Fidrmuc, Jana P. & Jacob, Marcus, 2010. "Culture, agency costs, and dividends," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 321-339, September.
    2. David Dequech, 2006. "Towards An Alternative To The Game-Theoretic Concept Of Conventions," Anais do XXXIV Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 34th Brazilian Economics Meeting] 77, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    3. Oguguo, Prince C. & Bodas Freitas, Isabel Maria & Genet, Corine, 2020. "Multilevel institutional analyses of firm benefits from R&D collaboration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    4. Craig A. Depken & Peter A. Groothuis & Mark C. Strazicich, 2020. "Evolution Of Community Deterrence: Evidence From The National Hockey League," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 38(2), pages 289-303, April.
    5. William D. Ferguson & Trang Kieu Nguyen, 2014. "Social Context and the Spread of HIV: An Evolutionary Game-Theoretic Investigation on the Impacts of Social Stigma on Epidemic Outcomes," Economies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-22, August.
    6. Diana Schüler, 2023. "Institutional change and entrepreneurship as occupational choice—The case of South Korea," Journal of International Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 385-439, September.
    7. Craig A. Depken II & Peter A. Groothuis & Mark C. Strazicich, 2016. "The Rise and Fall of the Enforcer in the National Hockey League," Working Papers 16-12, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.
    8. Arestis, Philip & Gonzalez-Martinez, Ana Rosa, 2016. "Revisiting the accelerator principle in a world of uncertainty: Some empirical evidence," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 35-42.
    9. Zhiwen Gong & Fung Chan & Yan Wu, 2021. "Borrowing Hong Kong’s International Standards: A Steppingstone for the Chinese “Belt and Road” Going Out?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    10. André de Melo Modenesi & Rui Lyrio Modenesi & José Luis Oreiro & Norberto Montani Martins, 2013. "Convention, interest rates and monetary policy: a post-Keynesian–French-conventions-school approach," European Journal of Economics and Economic Policies: Intervention, Edward Elgar Publishing, vol. 10(1), pages 76-92.
    11. Marcelo De Carvalho Pereira, 2014. "When Competition May Hinder Technologydiffusion: The Case Of Internet Access Services In Brazil," Anais do XL Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 40th Brazilian Economics Meeting] 152, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    12. David Dequech, 2016. "Some Institutions (Social Norms And Conventions) Of Contemporary Mainstream Economics, Macroeconomics, And Financial Economics," Anais do XLIII Encontro Nacional de Economia [Proceedings of the 43rd Brazilian Economics Meeting] 006, ANPEC - Associação Nacional dos Centros de Pós-Graduação em Economia [Brazilian Association of Graduate Programs in Economics].
    13. Timothy Hinks & Artjoms Ivlevs, 2014. "Communist party membership and bribe paying in transitional economies," Working Papers 20141401, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol.
    14. Bilgili, Faik, 2017. "Piyasa ekonomisine geçiş süreci ve sonrasında Türkiye'de GINI katsayılarının analizi: Alternatif GINI formülü yaklaşımı [During and after the process of transition to market economy, an analysis of," MPRA Paper 81043, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Emanuele Citera & Lino Sau, 2021. "Reflexivity, Financial Instability and Monetary Policy: A ‘Convention-Based’ Approach," Review of Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(2), pages 327-343, April.

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