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Reciprocal reactions to (in)transparent task assignments: An experimental investigation

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  • Fellner-Röhling, Gerlinde
  • Hromek, Kristijan
  • Kleinknecht, Janina
  • Ludwig, Sandra

Abstract

We investigate how the transparency of selecting an agent to perform a task affects the agent’s reciprocal behavior. In a modified gift-exchange game, agents either receive information about having (not) been selected or receive no such information at all, which allows to analyze reciprocity of agents who were or were not the preferred choice of the principal. We do not find that transparency is harmful as agents’ reciprocity is not reduced when learning that they have not been selected. Yet, we also do not find that reciprocity increases on average when agents learn they have been selected, although we find a positive effect on the extensive margin. This observation is driven by gender-specific reactions to transparency. While men react with increased reciprocity to the positive signal of having been selected (in line with intention-based reciprocity), women do not. Our observations could be explained by gender-specific attribution styles, i.e., whether the selection is attributed to own characteristics (internally) or good luck (externally).

Suggested Citation

  • Fellner-Röhling, Gerlinde & Hromek, Kristijan & Kleinknecht, Janina & Ludwig, Sandra, 2023. "Reciprocal reactions to (in)transparent task assignments: An experimental investigation," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:106:y:2023:i:c:s221480432300099x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2023.102073
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intention-based reciprocity; Employee selection; Attribution styles; Locus of control; Gender differences;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • M59 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Other

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