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Mellowing with Tenure? Socialization Increases Prosocial Behavior in Public Organizations

In: Experiments in Organizational Economics

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  • Sheheryar Banuri
  • Philip Keefer

Abstract

Recent research suggests that prosocial organizations are likely to have more prosocial employees, and that this match plays a significant role in organization contracting practices and productivity – for example, in government. Evidence suggests that selection plays a role: prosocial employees are more likely to join prosocial organizations. In this paper, we ask whether prosocial behavior increases with tenure in prosocial organizations. Using a unique sample of nearly 300 mid-career Indonesian public officials, we find that subjects with longer tenure in the public sector exhibit greater prosocial behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheheryar Banuri & Philip Keefer, 2016. "Mellowing with Tenure? Socialization Increases Prosocial Behavior in Public Organizations," Research in Experimental Economics, in: Experiments in Organizational Economics, volume 19, pages 127-140, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:rexezz:s0193-230620160000019004
    DOI: 10.1108/S0193-230620160000019004
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