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Decisions on Extending Group Membership—Evidence from a Public Good Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Christian Grund

    (Chair of HRM and Personnel Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 64, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Christine Harbring

    (Chair of Organization, RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 64, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

  • Kirsten Thommes

    (Chair of Business Administration esp. Organizational Behavior, Facility of Business, University of Paderborn, Warburger Str. 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany)

  • Katja Rebecca Tilkes

    (Chair of HRM and Personnel Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Templergraben 64, 52062 Aachen, Germany)

Abstract

We experimentally compare the consequences for group cooperation of two decision mechanisms involving the extension of group membership. We analyze an exogenous decision (random draw) and an endogenous decision (made by a particular group member) mechanism to extend a temporary agent’s group membership. Our results reveal that the prospect of group membership extension affects not only the temporary but also the permanent group members’ contributions with an endogenous mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Grund & Christine Harbring & Kirsten Thommes & Katja Rebecca Tilkes, 2020. "Decisions on Extending Group Membership—Evidence from a Public Good Experiment," Games, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-27, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jgames:v:11:y:2020:i:4:p:61-:d:459720
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cooperation; public good game; group membership; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • M5 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics

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