How Behavioral Economics Influences Management Decision Making

How Behavioral Economics Influences Management Decision-Making: A New Paradigm critically reexamines the management function in 21st century workplaces. The book seeks to examine and explain the real-world behaviors of employees and acknowledge the human nature that binds us all together and how to appeal to these characteristics in order to help organizations prosper. It explores well-observed but rarely understood features of employee cognition and irrationality, challenging the dominant discourse and offering an alternative to gain greater competitive advantage in today's complex markets. It also provides an effective new framework on the best ways to develop relevant management skills as they pertain to hiring, performance management, change management, employee engagement, and goal setting. As the knowledge economy continues to grow, the social bonds within companies will prove to be a key differentiation to deliver on the next big idea. Developing productive decisions with staff in the talent-driven global economy increasingly requires the development of "intrinsic" meaning in work, a human-centered work-place culture, and human-focused working practices. This book tackles these topics in comprehensive and efficient detail. Provides a framework to simply and effectively apply behavioral principles in organizations of any size Focuses on agent motivations and behavior and how they directly impact talent management in the knowledge economy Highlights empirical studies, detailing the impact of heuristics on hiring, performance management, change management, employee engagement, and goal-setting decisions

This Handbook is a unique and original contribution of over thirty chapters on behavioural economics, examining and addressing an important stream of research where the starting assumption is that decision-makers are for the most part relatively smart or rational. This particular approach is in contrast to a theme running through much contemporary work where individuals’ behaviour is deemed irrational, biased, and error-prone, often due to how people are hardwired. In the smart people approach, where errors or biases occur and when social dilemmas arise, more often than not, improving the decision-making environment can repair these problems without hijacking or manipulating the preferences of decision-makers. This book covers a wide-range of themes from micro to macro, including various sub-disciplines within economics such as economic psychology, heuristics, fast and slow-thinking, neuroeconomics, experiments, the capabilities approach, institutional economics, methodology, nudging, ethics, and public policy.

This book examines the field of behavioral economics and provides insights into the following questions: Does utility bring happiness?How do emotions and personal perspectives color our economic decisions?How do altruism, trust, fairness and justice come into play in game theory?Why are some organizations so successful in implementing their objectives?Can advances in neuroeconomics unlock the secrets of how decisions are made? The book looks at decision making and behavior from the point of view of (i) individual behavior and choice; (ii) group and interactive choice; and (iii) collective choices and decision making. In particular, it covers the following aspects: instances when bounded rationality leads to decisions inconsistent with standard economic assumptions; risk and the processes by which investors and consumers make decisions; altruistic and cooperative behavior as alternatives to competition; game theory as a way to explore motives of cooperation versus competition; the determinants of happiness and the relationship between utility and well-being; the concept of social capital, including motivations for charity and being a responsible citizen; how trust and fairness relate to economic actions and the motivation to cooperate rather than compete; behavior such as crime, corruption and bribery from ethical, social and economic viewpoints; and, finally, the decision making process of collective choice and how societies develop rules for governing themselves. This is the first book to bridge economics, psychology, sociology and political sciences and explain the nuanced subtleties of decision making.

The field of behavioural economics can tell us a great deal about cognitive bias and unconscious decision-making, challenging the orthodox economic model whereby consumers make rational and informed choices. But it is in the arena of health that it perhaps offers individuals and governments the most value. In this important new book, the most pernicious health issues we face today are examined through a behavioral economic lens. It provides an essential and timely overview of how this growing field of study can reframe and offer solutions to some of the biggest health issues of our age. The book opens with an overview of the core theoretical concepts, after which each chapter assesses how behavioral economic research and practice can inform public policy across a range of health issues. Including chapters on tobacco, alcohol and drug use, physical activity, dietary intake, cancer screening and sexual health, the book integrates the key insights from the field to both developed and developing nations. Also asking important ethical questions around paternalism and informed choice, this book will be essential reading for students and researchers across psychology, economics and business and management, as well as public health professionals wishing for a concise overview of the role behavioral economics can potentially play in allowing people to live healthier lives.

Behavioral Economics is a fascinating field that combines insights from psychology and economics to understand and predict human behavior in decision-making processes. It delves into the intricacies of why people make certain choices, often deviating from traditional economic theories that assume individuals are consistently rational and always act in their best interest. This subchapter aims to provide an overview of Behavioral Economics, shedding light on its fundamental concepts and principles. Whether you are a student, a business professional, or simply curious about human behavior, understanding Behavioral Economics can offer valuable insights into how individuals and societies make decisions. At its core, Behavioral Economics recognizes that humans are prone to biases, cognitive limitations, and emotions that influence their choices. It challenges the traditional economic assumption that individuals always act rationally by exploring the various factors that impact decision-making, such as social influences, heuristics, and framing effects. By studying Behavioral Economics, you will gain a deeper understanding of why people often make seemingly irrational choices. For instance, why do we tend to overestimate our abilities? Why do we prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains? These questions and more will be answered as we explore the fascinating world of behavioral economics. Throughout this subchapter, we will delve into key theories and experiments that have shaped the field of Behavioral Economics. We will explore concepts like prospect theory, which explains how people evaluate and make decisions under uncertainty, and the endowment effect, which describes our tendency to value objects we own more than identical objects that we do not own. Additionally, we will discuss the practical applications of Behavioral Economics in various domains, such as marketing, finance, and public policy. By understanding the underlying mechanisms that drive human behavior, you will be better equipped to design effective strategies, influence consumer choices, and drive positive change.

This enlightening book comprehensively maps the current state of economic psychology and behavioural economics. Exploring key concepts, topics and models in the field, it is also a launching pad for future research and provides useful insights on how good personal and professional decisions can be made, advancing microeconomic discourse.

A guide to the study of how and why you really make financial decisions While classical economics is based on the notion that people act with rational self-interest, many key money decisions—like splurging on an expensive watch—can seem far from rational. The field of behavioral economics sheds light on the many subtle and not-so-subtle factors that contribute to our financial and purchasing choices. And in Behavioral Economics For Dummies, readers will learn how social and psychological factors, such as instinctual behavior patterns, social pressure, and mental framing, can dramatically affect our day-to-day decision-making and financial choices. Based on psychology and rooted in real-world examples, Behavioral Economics For Dummies offers the sort of insights designed to help investors avoid impulsive mistakes, companies understand the mechanisms behind individual choices, and governments and nonprofits make public decisions. A friendly introduction to the study of how and why people really make financial decisions The author is a professor of behavioral and institutional economics at Victoria University An essential component to improving your financial decision-making (and even to understanding current events), Behavioral Economics For Dummies is important for just about anyone who has a bank account and is interested in why—and when—they spend money.

Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ordering a cup of coffee, selecting a long-distance carrier, applying to college, choosing a doctor, or setting up a 401(k), everyday decisions—both big and small—have become increasingly complex due to the overwhelming abundance of choice with which we are presented. As Americans, we assume that more choice means better options and greater satisfaction. But beware of excessive choice: choice overload can make you question the decisions you make before you even make them, it can set you up for unrealistically high expectations, and it can make you blame yourself for any and all failures. In the long run, this can lead to decision-making paralysis, anxiety, and perpetual stress. And, in a culture that tells us that there is no excuse for falling short of perfection when your options are limitless, too much choice can lead to clinical depression. In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains at what point choice—the hallmark of individual freedom and self-determination that we so cherish—becomes detrimental to our psychological and emotional well-being. In accessible, engaging, and anecdotal prose, Schwartz shows how the dramatic explosion in choice—from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution. Schwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse. By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives. He offers eleven practical steps on how to limit choices to a manageable number, have the discipline to focus on those that are important and ignore the rest, and ultimately derive greater satisfaction from the choices you have to make.