Final answer:
The free-rider phenomenon becomes more problematic in larger groups where individual contributions are hard to monitor, consensus is harder to achieve, and enforcement of contribution becomes more challenging.
Step-by-step explanation:
The free-rider phenomenon becomes more problematic as the size of a group becomes larger. In small groups, free riding can be discouraged through peer pressure and the visibility of each member's contributions. However, in large groups, it's difficult to monitor individual contributions, leading to decreased cohesion and difficulties in achieving consensus.
Large groups face greater collective action problems as individual efforts are often inconspicuous, and thus, people may elect not to contribute, knowing they can benefit from the group's successes without actively participating. The larger the group, the more complex it becomes to manage free riding and ensure that all members are contributing to the collective goals. To manage such issues, large groups must invest in monitoring systems and enforcement mechanisms to discourage non-contributory behavior.