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Simultaneous Decision-Making in Competitive and Cooperative Environments

Author

Listed:
  • Anya Savikhin

    (The University of Chicago)

  • Roman M. Sheremeta

    (Argyros School of Business and Economics, Chapman University)

Abstract

MWe experimentally investigate simultaneous decision-making in two contrasting environments: a competitive environment (a contest) and a cooperative environment (a voluntary contribution mechanism). We find that the cooperative nature of the voluntary contribution mechanism spills over to the contest, decreasing sub-optimal overbidding in the contest. However, contributions to the public good are not affected by simultaneous participation in the contest. There is a significant negative correlation between decisions made in competitive and cooperative environments, i.e. more cooperative subjects tend to be less competitive and vice versa. This correlation can be rationalized by heterogeneous social preferences towards inequality but not by bounded rationality theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Anya Savikhin & Roman M. Sheremeta, 2010. "Simultaneous Decision-Making in Competitive and Cooperative Environments," Working Papers 10-09, Chapman University, Economic Science Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chu:wpaper:10-09
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cooperation; competition; public goods; contests; experiments; behavioral spillover;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior

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