Heterogeneity, Coordination and the Provision of Best-Shot Public Goods

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Todd Cherry Ph.D., Professor (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: In a best-shot public good, where the provision level is determined by the highest contribution instead of the sum of all contributions, there is potential for waste and underprovision due to coordination failure. These failures are exacerbated when agents are identical because there is no focal point to guide coordination. In most real-world best-shot public-good situations, however, heterogeneity exists in the ability to contribute and the benefits received from the good. With such differences, shared expectations might emerge to improve coordination and increase efficiency. Using laboratory experiments, we find significant behavioral responses to heterogeneity that improve efficiency, but not always from increased coordination.

Additional Information

Publication
Cherry, T. L., Cotton, S. J., & Kroll, S. (2013). Heterogeneity, coordination, and the provision of best-shot public goods. Experimental Economics, 2013(4), 497-510. Publisher’s version available from www.springer.com (ISSN: 1386-4157). DOI 10.1007/s10683-012-9349-1
Language: English
Date: 2013

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