TY - JOUR
T1 - Leading by words: A voluntary contribution experiment with one-way communication
AU - Koukoumelis, Anastasios
AU - Levati, M. Vittoria
AU - Weisser, Johannes
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - We use experimental methods to study the power of leading by words. The context is a voluntary contribution mechanism with one-way communication. One group member can send a free-form text message to his fellow players. Contrary to the commonly accepted wisdom that the cooperation-enhancing effect of communication requires the mutual exchange of promises, we find that the introduction of one-way communication increases contributions substantially and decreases their variation. When communication is one-shot, its effect on contribution levels persists over time. Moreover, one-way communication is effective even in the absence of strategic concerns.
AB - We use experimental methods to study the power of leading by words. The context is a voluntary contribution mechanism with one-way communication. One group member can send a free-form text message to his fellow players. Contrary to the commonly accepted wisdom that the cooperation-enhancing effect of communication requires the mutual exchange of promises, we find that the introduction of one-way communication increases contributions substantially and decreases their variation. When communication is one-shot, its effect on contribution levels persists over time. Moreover, one-way communication is effective even in the absence of strategic concerns.
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2011.11.007
U2 - 10.1016/j.jebo.2011.11.007
DO - 10.1016/j.jebo.2011.11.007
M3 - Article
SN - 0167-2681
VL - 81
SP - 379
EP - 390
JO - Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
JF - Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
IS - 2
ER -