Not all Group Members are created Equal: Heterogeneous Abilities in Inter-group Contests

Francesco Fallucchi, Enrique Fatas (), Felix Koelle () and Ori Weisel ()
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Felix Koelle: University of Cologne
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Felix Kölle

No 2018-06, Discussion Papers from The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, School of Economics, University of Nottingham

Abstract: Competition between groups is ubiquitous in social and economic life, and groups are typically not created equal. Here we experimentally investigate the implications of this general observation on the unfolding of symmetric and asymmetric competition between groups that are either homogeneous or heterogeneous in the ability of their members to contribute to the success of the group. Our main finding is that, in contrast with a number of theoretical predictions, efforts in contests involving heterogeneous groups are higher than in contests involving only homogeneous groups, leading to reduced earnings (to contest participants) and increased inequality. This effect is particularly pronounced in asymmetric contests, where both homogeneous and heterogeneous groups increase their efforts. We find that asymmetry between groups changes the way group members condition their efforts on those of their peers. Implications for contest designers are discussed.

Keywords: Contests; groups; abilities; heterogeneity; experiments (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm and nep-exp
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Related works:
Journal Article: Not all group members are created equal: heterogeneous abilities in inter-group contests (2021)
Working Paper: Not all Group Members are created Equal: Heterogeneous Abilities in Inter-group Contests (2018)
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