Social Norms and Common-Pool Resources in Networks

Lionel Richefort () and Pauline Pedehour ()
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Lionel Richefort: Nantes Univ - IAE Nantes - Nantes Université - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes - Nantes Université - pôle Sociétés - Nantes Univ - Nantes Université, LEMNA - Laboratoire d'économie et de management de Nantes Atlantique - Nantes Univ - IAE Nantes - Nantes Université - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises - Nantes - Nantes Université - pôle Sociétés - Nantes Univ - Nantes Université
Pauline Pedehour: GRANEM - Groupe de Recherche Angevin en Economie et Management - UA - Université d'Angers - Institut Agro Rennes Angers - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement

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Abstract: This paper shows that stronger conformity to social norms can generate nonmonotonic changes in aggregate common-pool resource use, even when individual responses are monotone. Agents form heterogeneous local reference points based on their neighbors' behavior. As conformity intensifies, adjustments toward these local standards propagate through the network and interact with resource congestion, potentially reversing aggregate consumption. We characterize conditions under which this occurs and establish that the parameter region generating non-monotonicity is open and economically meaningful. Survey evidence supports heterogeneous comparison behavior. Our results imply that agents with extreme comparison rules can amplify, dampen, or overturn the effects of social-norm-based environmental policies.

Keywords: Social norms; Network games; Reference points; Common-pool resources; Non-monotonicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06-16
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