A Study of Human Decision-Making in Economic Games

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dc.contributor.authorGreen, Ellen P.en
dc.contributor.committeechairBall, Sheryl B.en
dc.contributor.committeememberGe, Suqinen
dc.contributor.committeememberMacieira, Joao C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberTideman, Nicolausen
dc.contributor.committeememberYou, Wenen
dc.contributor.departmentEconomicsen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:18:21Zen
dc.date.adate2011-11-21en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:18:21Zen
dc.date.issued2011-11-04en
dc.date.rdate2011-11-21en
dc.date.sdate2011-11-08en
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation contains three essays on the impact of other-regarding behavior on human decision-making. Chapter II uses experimental methods to analyze the relative performance of a variety of compensation contracts. This study creates an environment in which individuals are paid via common payment mechanisms employed in the dual-principal agent relationships (Piece Rate, Flat Rate, Salary, Bonus and Socialization) and examines the effect that different incentive structures have on agent behavior. In Chapter III I explore the potential outcomes of blended payment structures in a dual-principal agent environment. I draw from the previously conducted experimental study in Chapter II and simulate agent behavior induced by blended payment mechanisms. In Chapter IV, I move away from studying payment mechanisms to investigate the impact of intentionality and responsibility on an individual's decision-making process. I explore the effects of direct and indirect responsibility as well as selfish and kind intentions using experimental methodology. Each of these essays provides further evidence that other-regarding behavior has a significant impact on the outcome of an economic situation; therefore, emphasizing the need to address such behavior in theoretical designs.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.identifier.otheretd-11082011-152752en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-11082011-152752/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/29505en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartGreen_EP_D_2011.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectPrincipal-agent theoryen
dc.subjectmoral hazarden
dc.subjectcontract enforcementen
dc.subjectreciprocityen
dc.subjectaltruismen
dc.subjectother-regarding behavioren
dc.subjectresponsibilityen
dc.subjectintentionalityen
dc.titleA Study of Human Decision-Making in Economic Gamesen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineEconomicsen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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