Commemorative Stamps as a Recognition Tool: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Commemorative stamps have a place in the cultural, economic, and geopolitical status of a nation; and the nature of what is printed on stamps is very much a reflection of the culture, regime, and values of a country. Whilst commemorative stamps can be a source of celebration for monuments, flora and fauna, and key points in a nation’s history; they are also a source of recognition, designed to publicly celebrate and showcase the contribution of key figures based on their performance in areas deemed significant to the nation’s culture and evolution. In this empirical study, we analyse commemorative stamp data in a cross-sectional setting to understand key determinants that shape their provision. The award literature has developed some propositions that so far have not been tested empirically. We find strong evidence that the political process strongly influences the use of postage stamps as a recognition tool. The political regime as well as governance matter. For example, controlling for regime, more corrupt countries are more likely to use stamps to recognize personalities. On the other hand, more democratic regimes are more frequently using stamps as a recognition tool. We also find that cultural factors and ideologies show substantial heterogeneity in their influence while factors such as fractionalization or income inequality do not seem to matter. Factors such as personal and impersonal pro-sociality or creativity seemed to reduce the need for stamps as a recognition tool, while other factors such as market orientation, individualism, or traditionalism encourage the use of stamps to recognize individuals. Overall, we find that some results are consistent with the theoretical propositions while others are not, requiring more empirical evidence around awards and a better understanding of how stamps differ from other recognitions.