Boosting Cooperation Between Agents in Diverse Groups: A Dynamical Model of Prosocial Behavior, Free-Riding and Coercive Solutions

Nazaria Solferino (), Serena Fiona Taurino () and M. Elisabetta Tessitore ()

International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, 2018, vol. 3, issue 2, 48-55

Abstract: Cooperation is usually stronger towards in-group members, because giving an up-right signal about themselves implies higher possibilities of reciprocity among members with the same social identity. We examine the case where collaboration between two groups is a mandatory condition to achieve success in a particular project, but in the first one, the social identity is quite strong. We show that the existence of a small share of prosocial players in the first group can create a sort of "imitation effect" so that each new member puts more effort in cooperating with the outsiders. On the other side, to avoid free-riding effort should be conditional to the other's commitment. This way to boost cooperation is usually more efficient than a coercive strategy in the presence of significant sized majorities or feelings of resentments. Our analysis suggests that it is appropriate, under some circumstances, to stimulate a multicultural paradigm devoted to value and manage diversity through an acculturation process emphasizing adaptation, interdependence, and mutual appreciation of different cultures.

Keywords: Cooperation; Dynamical analysis; Groups; Identity. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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