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Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to serve as an introduction and motivation for Volume 13 of Research in Experimental Economics. In many cases, these introductory chapters are prefaces, limited to giving a roadmap of the volume and brief discussions of the chapters and why they were included. However, in some cases a more extensive discussion of the state of the literature and discipline can be useful. We have the same goal for this chapter.

Methodology – The methodology is that of a literature review combined with an analysis of the development of issues of endogeneity, self-selection, and formation in laboratory experimental research on public goods, charitable contributions, and nonprofit organizations.

Findings – This chapter traces the path of experimental public goods research as viewed through several lenses. There is a correspondence between the period of carefully controlled conditions in laboratory research and the framework of neoclassical economic theory (Lindahl/Samuelson). Indeed this is one of the original purposes of the earliest experiments by economists. However, there has been a distinct shift away from external control towards more endogenous evolution and selection over the past decade.

Originality – There have been several surveys of public goods research (many are referenced in this chapter). To our knowledge, this is the first to set out the history of, and the imperatives for, this new direction.

Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to present a new business model called the Retained Earnings Maximizing (REM) Nonprofit Enterprise. Specifically, the chapter details the nature of the REM enterprise's motivation, organizational control, market interaction with other firms, and obstacles to the growth for the REM enterprise. Additionally, the chapter outlines a research agenda for experimental and empirical inquiries into nonprofit organizations and the REM enterprise.

Methodology – This chapter utilizes standard industrial organization theory in a nonmathematical approach to explaining the nature of the REM enterprise.

Findings – The chapter seeks to establish the business model of the REM. By inquiring into the nature of the REM enterprise, the chapter provides the basis for future research.

Research Limitations – The research was limited in terms of potential case studies because this is a new business model that is being proposed.

Practical Implications – The chapter could have large practical implications for increased and more consistent revenues to philanthropic organizations. Since writing the chapter, we tried to implement our own REM business model in an on campus coffee shop. Other ventures are being established in a similar vein.

Value of the Chapter – The adoption of the L3C legal structure by a handful of states demonstrates the desire to establish new business models with charitable ends. Likewise, the REM business model hopes to increase levels of philanthropy while spurring innovative thought about the Independent Sector which has been underrepresented in economic research.

Purpose – Motivated by new models of nonprofit organizations, we study a voluntary contributions environment in which the productivity of the public goods process is chosen endogenously by a manager. The experimental treatments incorporate two institutions of transparency in the organization, which we conjecture will assist the manager in achieving an outcome superior to the standard free-riding prediction.

Methodology – The chapter uses the methodology of laboratory experimental economics.

Findings – The findings demonstrate that transparency institutions can be important for assisting the manager and the stakeholders achieve relative stable and efficient outcomes.

Limitations – We discuss obvious areas for further investigation including environments in which firm productivity is only stochastically related to the decisions of the manager.

Practical and Social Implications – The chapter is oriented to real-world issues in the organization of nonprofit enterprises, which were a once ubiquitous and now re-emerging source of charitable activity. The chapter is written so that it should be accessible to informed practitioners in nonprofit organizations.

Originality – The study of endogenous environments and institutions in the provision of charitable and public goods is a relatively new advance and is indeed the theme of Research in Experimental Economics, Volume 13, “Charity with Choice.”

Purpose – This chapter is the introductory chapter for the volume.

Approach – We begin with “A Fable for Our Time” and discuss the role that laboratory experimental social science research can play in policy issues regarding energy, the environment, and sustainability. We follow this general discussion with a chapter-by-chapter summary of the volume.

Purpose – The purpose of this chapter is to provide a discussion of the importance of social science research in areas of energy, economics, and the environment from the point of view of the director of a major interdisciplinary institute, Institute for Energy Systems Economics and Sustainability (IESES), at Florida State University (FSU). The author is himself a mechanical engineer who has steered the new institute into an explicit mission of linking engineering and social science research.

Design and methodology – The chapter is a viewpoint paper. It begins with a brief history of the IESES institute and then addresses three specific policy areas: electrical grid improvements, transportation, and land use.

Implications – At this time, our society needs exceptional energy policy as much or more than it needs direct technology investment.

Originality – It is a tradition at Research in Experimental Economics to include an overview from scholars outside the field but with practical experience in the policy issues being addressed. This is the first time that the overview has been provided by an author whose primary training is as an engineer.