Why without pay? Intrinsic motivation in unpaid labour supply

Bruna Bruno and Damiano Fiorillo ()

Discussion Papers from D.E.S. (Department of Economic Studies), University of Naples "Parthenope", Italy

Abstract: Economic theory explains the supply of volunteering alternatively as an ordinary consumer good or an investment one. This paper provides a simultaneous approach considering both the objectives, by using the psychological distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, in order to reconcile conflicting results reported in the literature. According to the simultaneity approach, the paper develops a theoretical model of unpaid labour supply within an agent’s two-period utility maximization problem, taking into account the role of psychological motivation. The theoretical findings are tested with a sample selection model for Italy, by using 1997 Multipurpose Households Survey on everyday life issues of Istat. Robustness analysis and endogeneity test for intrinsic motivation are also performed. Empirical analysis rejects the hypothesis that only a consumption or investment motive could explain Italian volunteers’ behaviour, supporting the hypothesis that both motives interact in shaping regular unpaid labour supply, with a stronger impact of consumption motives. The relevant variables for frequently supplied unpaid labour are intrinsic motivation, age, household income, family responsibilities and activity sector.

Keywords: Intrinsic motivation; investment and consumption motives; volunteering. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C21 J22 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-03-31
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-hrm and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Why without pay? Intrinsic motivation in the unpaid labour supply (2012)
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