Research

The research emphasis of the group for microeconomics and experimental economic research is the analysis of various important non-economic factors (such as fairness, social norms, reciprocity) and the rigorous investigation of the importance of these factors for modern economic life. Various questions are in the center of this assessment, such as how do incomplete contracts affect employees' work motivation? How can management motivate unmotivated workers without demotivating motivated ones? How do efficient work and trade relationships arise and function? What are the biological, hormonal, and neuronal bases of prosocial behavior? The examination of human altruism, social preferences, and social norms, with numerous applications in the areas of labor market economics, contract theory, theory of the firm, and personnel economics, form another important thematic emphasis. The group further extended its research activities decisively in these new areas thanks to the association of two assistant professorships in the areas of "behavioral economics" and "neuroeconomics" within the framework of the university research priority program "Foundations of Human Sociality: Altruism and Egoism". New research methods expand to the examination of neuropeptides on behavior and use new neuroscientific technologies. The use of fMRI, rTMS, and tDCS in economic experiments permits an examination of the neuronal bases of economic behavior.

To obtain more information about our research and teaching activities, please follow the links to the individual webpages of the members of our group.