Abstract
People exhibit peer-induced fairness concerns when they look to their peers as a reference to evaluate their endowments. We analyze two independent ultimatum games played sequentially by a leader and two followers. With peerinduced fairness, the second follower is averse to receiving less than the first follower. Using laboratory experimental data, we estimate that peer-induced fairness between followers is two times stronger than distributional fairness between leader and follower. Allowing for heterogeneity, we find that 50 percent of subjects are fairness-minded. We discuss how peer-induced fairness might limit price discrimination, account for low variability in CEO compensation, and explain pattern bargaining. (JEL C72, D63).
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2022-2049 |
Number of pages | 28 |
Journal | American Economic Review |
Volume | 99 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Economics and Econometrics