Social norms and intellectual property | Giada Di Stefano | TEDxHECParis

Summary

The speaker explores how social norms govern the sharing of ideas in various industries like entrepreneurship, cuisine, and science, ensuring trust and preventing intellectual theft. They discuss the role of reciprocity in moderating behavior, where people are less likely to share ideas when they feel the other person may exploit them. Drawing on experiments with chefs and employees, the speaker highlights the benefits of open idea exchange, such as improved performance and collaboration, even without direct reciprocity. The discussion emphasizes how norms can both protect and challenge the sharing of ideas in professional contexts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social norms play a crucial role in regulating how ideas are shared and protected across industries like entrepreneurship, science, and cuisine.
• 😀 Entrepreneurs face the challenge of sharing their ideas with investors without fearing that these ideas will be stolen, which is managed by social norms within the investment industry.
• 😀 Norms are unwritten rules that govern behavior but are not enforced by laws; they are powerful because they shape how people trust and collaborate with each other.
• 😀 Reciprocity is key: people tend to share ideas and follow norms when they believe others will act in good faith and reciprocate.
• 😀 The fear of idea theft or misuse can discourage sharing, especially if someone feels the other party might not abide by the same norms.
• 😀 In competitive environments, such as in business or culinary arts, competition can reduce trust, but reframing competitors as collaborators can turn rivalry into cooperation.
• 😀 Trust can be influenced by proximity and similarity; people are less likely to trust those they see as competitors or those outside their established networks.
• 😀 People are hesitant to sanction norm violators because of the social costs involved, leading them to sometimes break the norms themselves in retaliation.
• 😀 In industries like gourmet cuisine, chefs share recipes under unwritten norms, ensuring that the information is used responsibly and with proper attribution.
• 😀 The act of sharing ideas, even without immediate reciprocation, has tangible benefits, such as improving workplace performance—employees who engage in idea-sharing increase their performance by 23%.
• 😀 The moral obligation to share ideas exists because sharing can lead to greater collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, benefiting both individuals and communities.

Q & A

Why do entrepreneurs and individuals in creative industries share their ideas despite the risks of them being stolen?

Entrepreneurs and individuals in creative industries share their ideas because social norms ensure that they are protected in certain ways. For instance, investors are expected not to steal ideas presented to them, and similarly, chefs share recipes with an understanding of mutual respect and norm-based behavior that regulates idea usage.

What role do social norms play in business and creative industries?

Social norms provide a framework that allows people to exchange ideas and protect their interests. In business, norms dictate that investors will not steal ideas, while in creative fields like cooking, norms govern how recipes are shared and credited.

How do norms influence behavior when someone suspects the other person might not follow the same norms?

When someone suspects that the other party might not adhere to the same norms, their behavior is influenced by reciprocity. If they believe the other person will act unethically, they are more likely to stop sharing ideas or to modify their own behavior accordingly.

What are the key factors that influence whether someone trusts another person with their ideas?

Trust is influenced by factors such as familiarity with the person, their industry experience, and whether they are perceived as a competitor. Interestingly, people tend to trust others less if they are similar or close to them, due to feelings of competition.

What happens when individuals feel they are in a competitive situation with others?

When individuals feel they are in competition with others, they often perceive a threat to their ideas or success. This can lead to distrust and a reluctance to share information, as competition is seen as a risk to their position.

How does the proximity of competitors affect collaborative behavior in industries like restaurants?

When restaurants are located in close proximity to each other, competition transforms into collaboration. In areas with many competitors, individuals tend to work together, sharing knowledge and ideas, because they start to see each other as neighbors rather than direct rivals.

What are the consequences of violating norms in social and business settings?

Violating norms can lead to social sanctions such as gossip, ostracization, or reputational damage. However, in some cases, people may avoid enforcing these sanctions because it can be costly to their own social standing or business interests.

How do social norms differ from formal laws in regulating behavior?

Unlike formal laws, which are enforced by judicial authorities, social norms are informal rules upheld by community expectations. These norms guide behavior through mutual understanding and trust, rather than legal enforcement.

What did the research on chefs and recipe sharing reveal about the importance of norms?

The research on chefs revealed that norms play a critical role in idea sharing. Despite not having legal protections like patents or copyrights, chefs share recipes based on a mutual understanding of the norms surrounding how recipes should be used, cited, and credited.

Can sharing ideas and collaborating with others actually benefit individuals in the workplace?

Yes, sharing ideas and collaborating can improve performance. For instance, employees who share their ideas with colleagues at the end of the workday, rather than working alone, have been found to improve their performance by 23%.