Incentive complexity, bounded rationality and effort provision

Using field and laboratory experiments, we demonstrate that the complexity of incentive schemes and worker bounded rationality can affect effort provision, by shrouding attributes of the incentives. In our setting, complexity leads workers to over-provide effort relative to a fully rational benchmar...

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Bibliografiska uppgifter
Huvudupphovsmän: Abeler, J, Huffman, D, Raymond, C
Materialtyp: Working paper
Språk:English
Publicerad: University of Oxford 2023
Beskrivning
Sammanfattning:Using field and laboratory experiments, we demonstrate that the complexity of incentive schemes and worker bounded rationality can affect effort provision, by shrouding attributes of the incentives. In our setting, complexity leads workers to over-provide effort relative to a fully rational benchmark, and improves efficiency. We identify con tract features, and facets of worker cognitive ability, that matter for shrouding. We find that even relatively small degrees of shrouding can cause large shifts in behavior. Our results illustrate important implications of complexity for designing and regulating workplace incentive contracts.