Engelmann, D and Ortmann, A (2002) The Robustness of Laboratory Gift Exchange: A Reconsideration.
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We report a gift exchange experiment in which we systematically vary the following experimental design and implementation characteristics: the choice of equilibrium (interior versus corner point), the extent of potential efficiency gains, and the choice of frames (abstract versus employer worker). We also employ a matching mechanism that had been shown to best preserve the nature of one-shot interactions (rotation). Much of the observed play of our participants, especially responders, is at or close to equilibrium. Our results therefore stand in stark contrast to much of what has been reported in literature. Specifically, we find little evidence for positive reciprocity but substantial evidence for negative reciprocity. Our results suggest that laboratory gift exchange is highly sensitive to the parameterization of the model and implementation characteristics and question the common belief that trust and reciprocity are robust phenomena.
This is a Submitted version This version's date is: 17/12/2002 This item is not peer reviewed
https://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/d5c95041-16a3-b4a3-74cd-39083bf7eb59/3/
Deposited by Research Information System (atira) on 24-Jul-2012 in Royal Holloway Research Online.Last modified on 24-Jul-2012
This article is in both English and German.