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Teamwork revisited: social preferences and knowledge acquisition in the field

Author

Listed:
  • Frauke Bieberstein

    (University of Bern)

  • Jonas Gehrlein

    (University of Bern)

  • Anna Güntner

    (University of Bern)

Abstract

Combining a lab-in-the-field experiment with field data, we study the effect of social preferences on performance in a modified teamwork setting, where the production of a public good serves as basis for incentivized individual performance, but is not a goal in itself. Examples of such modified team settings are knowledge sharing, peer coaching, and cooperative learning—all highly relevant topics for organizations today. As opposed to a standard public good setting, we find that conditional cooperators and their team partners are not more successful in producing the target output. In contrast, selfish individuals tend to perform better individually, without generating negative externalities for their team partners, as measured by the incentivized individual performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Frauke Bieberstein & Jonas Gehrlein & Anna Güntner, 2020. "Teamwork revisited: social preferences and knowledge acquisition in the field," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 591-614, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jbecon:v:90:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s11573-020-00966-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11573-020-00966-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Deversi, Marvin & Kocher, Martin G. & Schwieren, Christiane, 2020. "Cooperation in a Company: A Large-Scale Experiment," IHS Working Paper Series 15, Institute for Advanced Studies.

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