Dear colleagues,

 

The Department of Economics cordially invites you to the WU Economic Research Seminar (Department Seminar) on Wednesday, April 25, with

 

Georg Kirchsteiger

(Université libre de Bruxelles)

 

on

"Endogenous Repeated Cooperation and Surplus Distribution ‐ An Experimental Analysis"

 

Abstract: This paper investigates how endogenous group formation combined with the possibility of repeated interaction impacts cooperation levels and surplus distribution. We developed and tested experimentally a Surplus Allocation Game where the cooperation of four agents is needed to produce a surplus, but only two agents have the power to allocate it among the members of the group. Different matching procedures were used to test the impact of exogenous vs. endogenous group formation. Contrary to commonly hold beliefs, the possibility of repeated interaction with the same partners per se did not lead to higher average cooperation levels and more equal (on average) allocations of the surplus, but to a self‐selection of agents into groups with different life‐spans, correlated with the behavior of both distributors and receivers. We developed a behavioral model based on a few straightforward assumptions which captures the dynamics observed in the experimental data, sheds light into the rationales that drive the agents’ individual behavior, and allows us to understand how group duration is linked to different agents´ characteristics. Our model suggests that the most generous distributors are those acting for fear of rejection, rather than for true generosity. Moreover, the groups lasting the longest (and the most efficient ones) are those composed by this type of distributors and “undemanding” receivers.

 

Place and time: Wednesday, April 25, 4.30 – 6.00 p.m., Campus WU, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, building D4, 2nd floor, Department meeting room 2.008.

 

With best regards,

Harald Oberhofer

 

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Univ.-Prof. Dr. Harald Oberhofer

 

Institute for International Economics

WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

Phone: +43/1/31336-4984

Fax: +43/1/31336-4984

Email: harald.oberhofer@wu.ac.at

Webpage: https://www.wu.ac.at/ie/mitarbeiter/harald-oberhofer/

 

Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO)

Phone: +43/1/7982601-468

Fax: +43/1/7989386

Email: harald.oberhofer@wifo.ac.at

Webpage: http://www.wifo.ac.at/harald_oberhofer