Distributive preferences and effort provision: A two-way link?

Jaromír Kovářík, Ibai Martínez-Macías and Luis Miller

Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), 2025, vol. 117, issue C

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between effort and distributive preferences in a setting where effort does not affect the total amount available for distribution. While prior research has shown a link from effort to distributive preferences, we provide empirical evidence of the reverse relationship: individuals who make egalitarian choices exert less effort one year later compared to those who act selfishly. To test this, we use a unique dataset from participants who participated in a real-effort experiment with distributional choices on two distinct occasions, one year apart. Our findings offer an explanation for the self-serving interpretations of fairness observed in the literature and underscore the role of distributive preferences as a key determinant of effort and productivity.

Keywords: Effort; Productivity; Fairness; Laboratory experiment; Longitudinal study; Social preferences (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:soceco:v:117:y:2025:i:c:s2214804325000527

DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2025.102385

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