The influence of collectivism on trustworthiness when managing the assets of a group

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction and motivation
• Theoretical background
  • Trustworthiness
    • Behavioural economics
    • Trust Game
    • Distinction between TWN and Reciprocity
    • Relevance of TWN in group decisions across cultures
  • Culture
    • Measurement of Culture - Overview
    • The IND/COL - Scale
  • Relation between TWN and culture
• The experiment
  • The experimental design
  • Trust Game incentives
  • Annotations
• Results
  • The sample
  • Results IND/COL-Scale
  • Results TWN
  • Hypotheses
• Discussion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to explore the relationship between collectivism and individualism, trust, and trustworthiness when managing group assets. It investigates whether cultural background influences trust and trustworthiness in group decision-making. The research analyzes the impact on trustworthiness when an individual's decision affects their own payoff or the payoff of other group members.

• Trustworthiness and its influence on economic decisions
• Cultural differences in decision-making, particularly individualism and collectivism
• The role of trust and trustworthiness in managing group assets
• The impact of cultural background on trust and trustworthiness
• The Trust Game as a tool to measure trust and trustworthiness

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction and Motivation: This chapter introduces the concept of trustworthiness and its importance in economic decision-making. It outlines the research question and the specific objectives of the thesis, highlighting the focus on understanding the influence of collectivism and individualism on trust and trustworthiness in group asset management.
• Theoretical Background: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the theoretical framework underpinning the research. It delves into the concepts of trustworthiness, behavioral economics, and the Trust Game. The chapter also explores the role of culture, particularly the distinction between individualism and collectivism, in influencing trust and trustworthiness.
• The Experiment: This chapter details the experimental design and methodology employed in the research. It outlines the Trust Game incentives and the specific annotations used to collect data. The chapter provides a clear explanation of the procedures and data collection methods used to investigate the research question.
• Results: This chapter presents the findings of the experiment, analyzing the data collected. It examines the sample characteristics, the results of the IND/COL-Scale (measuring individualism and collectivism), and the results related to trustworthiness. The chapter also outlines the hypotheses tested and the evidence found to support or refute them.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The research focuses on the key terms of trust, trustworthiness, collectivism, individualism, group decision-making, cultural differences, the Trust Game, and economic decision-making. This research aims to uncover the relationship between cultural background, trust, and trustworthiness, particularly in the context of managing group assets. By utilizing the Trust Game, the study seeks to provide insights into the factors that influence individual behavior and decision-making within different cultural contexts.