When bad news is sugarcoated: Information distortion, organizational search and the behavioral theory of the firm

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1186-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Fang ◽  
Ji-Hyun Jason Kim ◽  
Frances J. Milliken
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Information Distortion ◽  
Organizational Search

How Starting Strategy and Network Structure Shape Problemistic Search: An Examination of Venture Capital Firms

2021 ◽  
pp. 104225872110335
Author(s):  
Jake Duke ◽  
Taha Havakhor ◽  
Rachel Mui ◽  
Owen Parker
Keyword(s):  
Venture Capital ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Search Process ◽  
Strategy Research ◽  
Structural Holes ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Venture Capital Firms

Building on the behavioral theory of the firm, we empirically examine how starting strategies and syndication networks can influence venture capital (VC) firms’ problemistic search. We propose that: (a) depending on a VC’s strategic starting point, that is, the VC’s extent of specialization, the directionality of problemistic search may change to either expanding or contracting search activities; and (b) depending on search direction, structural holes in syndication networks can either impede or facilitate the problemistic search process. In a sample of U.S. VC firms, we find results consistent with our predictions, which have important implications for entrepreneurship and organizational strategy research.

scholarly journals Almost‐Maximization as a Behavioral Theory of the Firm: Static, Dynamic and Evolutionary Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-258
Author(s):  
Huw Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Firm Behavior ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Price Rigidity ◽  
Price Setting ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Sales Revenue ◽  
Evolutionary Perspectives

Abstract In this paper we consider the effect of epsilon maximization on firm behavior. In particular we focus on the dynamic behavior of firms with the use of the example of price‐setting: We show how almost-rational firms can be more volatile in their behavior. However, if a lexicographic preference for simplicity is made, then we can explain nominal price rigidity as a result of epsilon optimization. The behavior of the firm—which is consistent with its long‐term survival—is examined. We argue that epsilon-optimization is consistent with survival in any context in which something is optimized: such as sales revenue.

Interdisciplinary Research in SCM: Through the Lens of the Behavioral Theory of the Firm

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nada R. Sanders ◽  
Brian S. Fugate ◽  
Zach G. Zacharia
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory

The Demand for, and Avoidance of, Information

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Golman ◽  
George Loewenstein ◽  
Andras Molnar ◽  
Silvia Saccardo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Bad News ◽  
Good News ◽  
Focus Attention ◽  
New Information ◽  
Attention Demand ◽  
Aid Decision

Management scientists recognize that decision making depends on the information people have but lack a unified behavioral theory of the demand for (and avoidance of) information. Drawing on an existing theoretical framework in which utility depends on beliefs and the attention paid to them, we develop and test a theory of the demand for information encompassing instrumental considerations, curiosity, and desire to direct attention to beliefs one feels good about. We decompose an individual’s demand for information into the desire to refine beliefs, holding attention constant, and the desire to focus attention on anticipated beliefs, holding these beliefs constant. Because the utility of resolving uncertainty (i.e., refining beliefs) depends on the attention paid to it and more important or salient questions capture more attention, demand for information depends on the importance and salience of the question(s) it addresses. In addition, because getting new information focuses attention on one’s beliefs and people want to savor good news and ignore bad news, the desire to obtain or avoid information depends on the valence (i.e., goodness or badness) of anticipated beliefs. Five experiments (n = 2,361) test and find support for these hypotheses, looking at neutrally valenced as well as ego-relevant information. People are indeed more inclined to acquire information (a) when it feels more important, even if it cannot aid decision making (Experiments 1A and 2A); (b) when a question is more salient, manipulated through time lag (Experiments 1B and 2B); and (c) when anticipated beliefs have higher valence (Experiment 2C). This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

A Behavioral Theory of the Firm.

1965 ◽  
Vol 60 (309) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Shubik ◽  
Richard M. Cyert ◽  
James G. March
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Behavioral Theory

scholarly journals Problematic search, slack search and institutional logic in corporate R&D strategy: An empirical analysis of Taiwanese electronics firms

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 659-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin-Hua Lu ◽  
Shih-Chieh Fang
Keyword(s):  
Performance Feedback ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Theory Of The Firm ◽  
Business Group ◽  
Behavioral Theory ◽  
Institutional Logic ◽  
Taiwan Stock Exchange ◽  
Positive Performance ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
D Investment

AbstractThis study focuses on firms’ search behavior with regard to corporate R&D investment. Building on Cyert and March's (1963) behavioral theory of the firm, we develop specific hypotheses about how firms adjust their R&D investment in response to performance discrepancies, and how this adjustment varies for two types of slack resources. Moreover, by utilizing institutional logic, we also hypothesized that the firms’ search behaviors in response to performance feedback may differ between business-group affiliated and unaffiliated firms. Empirical evidence from panel data coving 274 Taiwanese electronics firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange over the period 1999–2008 is consistent with our theoretical predictions. In particular, we find that firms will increase R&D investment when they faced discrepancies in performance, but will decrease R&D spending when close to bankruptcy. Moreover, our results show that unabsorbed and absorbed slack have different impacts, positively and negatively affecting R&D investment, respectively. In addition, we find that both business group-affiliated and unaffiliated firms will increase R&D investment in response to negative performance feedback, but only business group-affiliated firms will increase R&D activity when facing positive performance feedback. Furthermore, we also find that only business group-affiliated firms have a greater inclination to invest in R&D when there is unabsorbed slack. Our findings extend the claims of behavioral theory in newly industrialized economies, and identify the important factors that need to be considered in future studies.

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