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Measuring Group Cohesion to Reveal the Power of Social Relationships in Team Production

Author

Listed:
  • Simon Gächter

    (University of Nottingham, IZA Bonn, and CESifo Munich)

  • Chris Starmer

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Fabio Tufano

    (University of Leicester)

Abstract

We introduce group cohesion to study the economic relevance of social relationships in team production. We operationalize measurement of group cohesion, adapting the “oneness scale” from psychology. A series of experiments, including a preregistered replication, reveals strong, positive associations between group cohesion and performance assessed in weak-link coordination games, with high-cohesion groups being likely to achieve superior equilibria. In exploratory analysis, we identify beliefs rather than social preferences as the primary mechanism through which factors proxied by group cohesion influence group performance. Our evidence provides proof of concept for group cohesion as a useful tool for economic research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon Gächter & Chris Starmer & Fabio Tufano, 2025. "Measuring Group Cohesion to Reveal the Power of Social Relationships in Team Production," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 107(2), pages 539-554, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:107:y:2025:i:2:p:539-554
    DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01283
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