AN ECONOMIC APPROACH TO VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION

Katia Melnik (1) , Jean-Benoît Zimmermann (1)

1 GREQAM - Groupement de Recherche en Économie Quantitative d'Aix-Marseille

We develop an economic model of association based on voluntary contributions. Different equilibria corresponding to the different modes of formation of associations are analyzed and the results are compared with existing empirical literature. The main contribution consists in formalizing the voluntary association as a means of providing collectiveconsumption goods or services. We introduce the concept of the subjective quality as a possible incentive for volunteering. The model stresses the importance of non-pecuniary rewards and of accepted differentiation for well-functioning of voluntary organizations.

Mots clés: Voluntary Association; Public Good; Volunteering

Domaines: Economies et finances

Katia Melnik, Jean-Benoît Zimmermann. AN ECONOMIC APPROACH TO VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATION. 2008. ⟨halshs-00347448⟩