Common property natural resources and outcome interdependence : effects of motivational orientation, information and resource characteristics /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1988.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | The problem of interest is the use of common-property renewable resources at excessive rates, better known as the "commons dilemma." The commons dilemma is described as a conflict between short-term individual and long-term collective interests. Two solutions to the commons dilemma have been identified in the literature: structural solutions which restrict free access to the common-property resource, and non-structural solutions which maintain free access. Of interest in this study is the non-structural solution. Two laboratory experiments were conducted to determine how different individual, situational and resource characteristics affect the harvest behavior of persons participating in a replenishable resource dilemma. In each experiment, motivational orientation (cooperative, individualistic) was crossed with level of information (none, general, perfect) concerning the condition of the resource in a 2 X 3 factorial design. In Experiment One, subjects harvested from a single resource, which through false feedback was depleted over time. Subjects in Experiment Two harvested from two resources. Resource A was depleted more rapidly and had a value three times greater than resource B. Significant motivation effects were found for total units requested during Experiment One, but not during Experiment Two. When total requests for resource A and resource B during Experiment Two were considered separately, significant motivation effects were found. Information treatment effects were significant for both experiments. Providing general information led to greater collective behavior than did perfect information. Each 40-trial experiment was also segmented into four 10-trial stages. In general, motivation effects were significant during early stages, and information effects were significant during latter stages. Finally, harvest behavior was examined over time. Results from Experiment One show a significant drop in requests over time. The drop in requests during Experiment Two for resources A and B combined was also significant, but the actual decrease was minimal compared to Experiment One... |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Recreation and Resources Development." |
| Physical Description: | xix, 272 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |