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The Relation between Information and Heterogeneous Ability in Joint Projects - An experimental Analysis -

Author

Listed:
  • Gerlinde Fellner
  • Yoshio Iida
  • Sabine Kröger
  • Erika Seki

Abstract

We study voluntary contribution behavior of individuals who vary in their ability to contribute to a joint project under different information scenarios. We investigate a situation with two types who vary only in their external marginal return (low and high). Results of a laboratory experiment suggest that, when group members are not aware of the heterogeneity in their group, both types make the same nominal contributions. When agents are informed about the heterogeneity, contributions increase but differently by type. High types contribute only more with sufficient social exposure, i.e., when information on the type of the contributor is available. Low types, on the other hand, contribute only more when they are aware of the distribution of types, but have no information on the type of the contributor.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerlinde Fellner & Yoshio Iida & Sabine Kröger & Erika Seki, 2014. "The Relation between Information and Heterogeneous Ability in Joint Projects - An experimental Analysis -," Cahiers de recherche 1411, CIRPEE.
    • Handle: RePEc:lvl:lacicr:1411
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public goods; Voluntary contribution mechanism; Heterogeneity; Information; Norms;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C9 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods

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