Karine Nyborg, a Professor of Economics at the University of Oslo, will be the speaker for this seminar which is part of the Research Seminar Series.

Abstract

By means of three public good game experiments, we demonstrate that self-sorting can facilitate cooperation in groups. When individuals can choose whether to join a group pre-committed to charity, such groups manage to sustain their cooperation towards the group’s local public good. A small minority of unconditional altruists overwhelmingly select charity groups, while free-riders largely select noncharity groups. Most subjects in both group types are conditional cooperators, whose willingness to cooperate is strengthened by the presence of altruists but undermined by others’ free-riding. The results support the view that socially responsible firms may be able to attract responsible employees who help sustain a cooperative firm culture.

This seminar is open to all LSE staff and students. If you are from outside the LSE and would like to attend, please email Gri.Events@lse.ac.uk to register for a place.

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