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Sabotage! Survey Evidence on When it is Acceptable

Gary Charness
University of California, Santa Barbara - Department of Economics

David I. Levine
University of California, Berkeley - Economic Analysis & Policy Group

July 20, 2004

Abstract:
When is sabotage acceptable? We use a quasi-experimental design to study the acceptability of several forms of rule-breaking at work. In addition to hypotheses from theories of fairness, we find retaliation is perceived as more acceptable if it is an act of omission instead of an act commission and if it is in the same "domain" as the employer's bad act. Pilfering goods and services is more acceptable than taking money, while damaging property is least acceptable. Respondents who are older, female, politically conservative, and managers typically show less tolerance for acts of sabotage, while union members are union members a bit more accepting than average.

Keywords: Perceived fairness, Sabotage, Retaliation, Omission, Commission, Domains of reciprocity, Labor relations

JEL Classifications: A13, B49, J28, J39, J50

Working Paper Series

Date posted: January 15, 2005 ; Last revised: March 16, 2005

Suggested Citation

Charness, Gary and Levine, David I. Ian, Sabotage! Survey Evidence on When it is Acceptable (July 20, 2004). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=648730

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Contact Information

David Ian Levine (Contact Author) University of California, Berkeley - Economic Analysis & Policy Group ( email ) Berkeley, CA 94720 United States 510-642-1697 (Phone) 510-643-1420 (Fax)
Gary Charness University of California, Santa Barbara - Department of Economics ( email ) 2127 North Hall Santa Barbara, CA 93106 United States 805-893-2412 (Phone) 805-893-8830 (Fax)