This study sought to provide a theory driven model to explain how consumers make their purchasing decisions between genuine products and products they know are counterfeit. The influences of Goal-Driven Theory, Morality, and Prospect Theory were included as purchase decisions considerations. To measure their influence, while accounting for product attributes, purchasing decisions were assessed in choice sets as provided by Discrete Choice Experiment. Results found support for using Goal-Driven Theory and Prospect Theory to explain consumer purchasing decisions between genuine and counterfeit products. Morality was not a significant factor in the findings. Theoretical contributions and Managerial implications are discussed.

The purpose of this paper has been to follow how a decision made has developed within anorganization. We have intended to find underlying causes for the development in order to contribute to the understanding of the lifecycle of decisions. The decision we have chosen is Gröna Skolgårdar (Green School Yards) within the city of Västerås. This project has aimed to make the school yards in Västerås more green, more beautiful and more useful for teaching. We have used Grounded Theory Method as our foundation, complemented with decisionmaking theory. The work with this paper has led to the conclusion that Gröna Skolgårdar changed over time, and did not turn out as first intended. This has had several couses such as how resources wasdistributed, political changes, and different views of the project. We have learned that over time a decision can take unexpected paths, and we have contributed with an example of how this can happen.

This thesis describes the implementation methods for multi-criteria evaluation into the software application. IZAR is a software product that solves decision problems. IZAR solves single and multi-criteria, continuous and discrete decision problems. This thesis describes the extension of application IZAR. Several methods of multi-criteria evaluation were added into application. Supplemented methods were chosen so that the extended applications use the most basic methods from the decision theory. Introductory part of the thesis describes the basic methods that have been implemented into IZAR. There is summarized the theoretical basis of each method. The central part deals with the description of each method in terms of implementation. Attention is paid to the parts of the algorithms that have been modified or extended so that the methods are universal. Finally, the thesis shows the test examples in which functionality of methods was verified. There is described a group of complicated decision problems and control conditions that were created for these problems to find the right results.

Recent studies find that mutual funds exhibit differential and persistent performance which is frequently attributed to superior managerial decision making. We extend the literature by examining the impact of the fund's management structure on performance outcomes. Specifically, we examine directly whether superior outcomes, in terms of risk-adjusted returns, may be explained by behavioral decision making theory that asserts that teams make better decisions than individuals. Empirical results are consistent with the classical decision making theory and the efficient market hypothesis.

O presente trabalho tem como principal objetivo estudar a influência da consultoria em iniciativas de Fuzzy Front End (FFE). Para tanto, conceituam-se os principais constructos que sustentam a análise, quais sejam: FFE, Nebulosidade, Modelo de Gestão de FFE e Modelo de Tomada de Decisão. Com o intuito de entender melhor o fenômeno em questão, o FFE, avalia-se, através de revisão bibliográfica, quais sãos os principais elementos capacitadores em gestão de FFE para os processos de inovação de produtos em empresas. Nesse sentido, foi elaborado um modelo de gestão FFE, com base em modelo preexistente, aprimorado com modelos de tomada de decisão. Foram empregados a metodologia de Estudo de Caso e o método de Extended Case Method, aplicado a consultorias que executam iniciativas de FFE em empresas clientes. A questão de pesquisa a ser respondida foi: Qual a influência das consultorias em iniciativas de FFE de empresas clientes? Foi construído também um modelo de geração de ideia para entender a gênese do surgimento da ideia em iniciativas de FFE. Da mesma forma, foi realizado o mapeamento do FFE dentro da ciência da administração, mostrando que o FFE deve ser entendido como o motor de geração e seleção de ideias para quaisquer tipos de mudança, e, para isso, recorreu-se à Teoria da Decisão, a fim de fazer a integração do FFE com os demais temas de ciências. Como resultado, este trabalho traz uma visão do FFE, verificando a aplicabilidade prática dos elementos capacitadores levantados na revisão da literatura; um modelo de gestão da dinâmica de interação e geração de competência entre consultorias e empresas clientes; bem como o reconhecimento do valor gerado pelas consultorias em iniciativas de FFE. / The main objective of this work is to study the influence of consulting on Fuzzy Front End initiatives (FFE). For this, the main constructs that support the analysis are: FFE, Fuzziness, FFE Management Model, Decision Making Model and Consulting. In order to better understand the phenomenon in question, the FFE, it is evaluated, through a bibliographic review, which are the main enablers in FFE management for the processes of product innovation in companies. In this sense, an FFE management model was elaborated, based on a preexisting model, improved with decision-making models. We used the Case Study methodology and the Extended Case Method, applied to consultancies that execute FFE initiatives in client companies. The research question is: What is the influence of consulting companies in FFE of client\'s enterprises? A model of idea generation was also designed to understand the genesis of the idea\'s emergence in FFE initiatives. In the same way, the mapping of the FFE within the science of administration was carried out, showing that the FFE should be understood as the engine of generation and selection of ideas for any type of change, and for this, we used Decision Theory, In order to integrate the FFE with other science subjects. As a result, this work brings a complete view of the FFE, verifying the practical applicability of the enablers in the literature; A management model of interaction dynamics and competence generation between consultancies and client companies; as well as the recognition of the value generated by consultancies in FFE initiatives.

Lo scopo della presente tesi consiste nell’esplorare la possibile connessione tra la Teoria della Mente (ToM) e due dimensioni implicate nel processo decisionale: l’abilità di resistere ai bias che intervengono durante la valutazione della decisione e la capacità di scegliere quando è implicata la dimensione temporale, entrambe considerate in una prospettiva evolutiva. Il primo capitolo definisce una panoramica in merito alla ToM; il secondo fornisce un’ampia descrizione in merito ai bias legati alla decisione: hindsight bias e outcome bias; mentre il terzo si focalizza sulle scelte basate sulla dimensione temporale. Il quarto e il quinto capitolo presentano due contributi relativi a come questi temi si sviluppano e come sono connessi. Entrambe le ricerche si focalizzano su bambini di scuola primaria, una fascia d’età che solo recentemente è stata oggetto d’indagine in letteratura. Nel primo studio, l’attenzione si è diretta verso la ToM e il possibile legame con i bias della decisione; nel secondo studio, l’abilità di mindreading è presa in considerazione quando i bambini devono prendere decisioni che richiedono la capacità di gestire la dimensione temporale del presente e del futuro. I risultati evidenziano il ruolo chiave della mentalizzazione nel processo decisionale. / The aim of this thesis is to explore the possible connection between Theory of Mind (ToM) and two dimensions implicated in the decisional process: the ability to resist to the biases that occur during the evaluation of a decision and the ability to decide when a temporal dimension is involved, both considered in a developmental perspective. The first chapter presents an overview on ToM; the second one provides a wide description of the most investigated decision evaluation biases: hindsight bias and outcome bias; whereas the third one focuses on the choices based on the temporal dimension. The fourth and the fifth chapters show two empirical contributes on how these themes develop and how they are connected. The focus is on primary school-age children, an age range that only recently has been explored. Specifically, in the first study the attention has been directed towards ToM and its possible link with hindsight and outcome biases. In the second study, the mindreading ability is analyzed when children have to take decisions that require the ability to manage the temporal dimension of the present and of the future. The results of both researches highlight the crucial role of mentalizing in the decision-making process.

O presente trabalho tem como principal objetivo estudar a influência da consultoria em iniciativas de Fuzzy Front End (FFE). Para tanto, conceituam-se os principais constructos que sustentam a análise, quais sejam: FFE, Nebulosidade, Modelo de Gestão de FFE e Modelo de Tomada de Decisão. Com o intuito de entender melhor o fenômeno em questão, o FFE, avalia-se, através de revisão bibliográfica, quais sãos os principais elementos capacitadores em gestão de FFE para os processos de inovação de produtos em empresas. Nesse sentido, foi elaborado um modelo de gestão FFE, com base em modelo preexistente, aprimorado com modelos de tomada de decisão. Foram empregados a metodologia de Estudo de Caso e o método de Extended Case Method, aplicado a consultorias que executam iniciativas de FFE em empresas clientes. A questão de pesquisa a ser respondida foi: Qual a influência das consultorias em iniciativas de FFE de empresas clientes? Foi construído também um modelo de geração de ideia para entender a gênese do surgimento da ideia em iniciativas de FFE. Da mesma forma, foi realizado o mapeamento do FFE dentro da ciência da administração, mostrando que o FFE deve ser entendido como o motor de geração e seleção de ideias para quaisquer tipos de mudança, e, para isso, recorreu-se à Teoria da Decisão, a fim de fazer a integração do FFE com os demais temas de ciências. Como resultado, este trabalho traz uma visão do FFE, verificando a aplicabilidade prática dos elementos capacitadores levantados na revisão da literatura; um modelo de gestão da dinâmica de interação e geração de competência entre consultorias e empresas clientes; bem como o reconhecimento do valor gerado pelas consultorias em iniciativas de FFE. / The main objective of this work is to study the influence of consulting on Fuzzy Front End initiatives (FFE). For this, the main constructs that support the analysis are: FFE, Fuzziness, FFE Management Model, Decision Making Model and Consulting. In order to better understand the phenomenon in question, the FFE, it is evaluated, through a bibliographic review, which are the main enablers in FFE management for the processes of product innovation in companies. In this sense, an FFE management model was elaborated, based on a preexisting model, improved with decision-making models. We used the Case Study methodology and the Extended Case Method, applied to consultancies that execute FFE initiatives in client companies. The research question is: What is the influence of consulting companies in FFE of client\'s enterprises? A model of idea generation was also designed to understand the genesis of the idea\'s emergence in FFE initiatives. In the same way, the mapping of the FFE within the science of administration was carried out, showing that the FFE should be understood as the engine of generation and selection of ideas for any type of change, and for this, we used Decision Theory, In order to integrate the FFE with other science subjects. As a result, this work brings a complete view of the FFE, verifying the practical applicability of the enablers in the literature; A management model of interaction dynamics and competence generation between consultancies and client companies; as well as the recognition of the value generated by consultancies in FFE initiatives.

Deinstitutionalization has had an impact increasing the number of offenders with mental health problems within the correctional system. Furthermore, preliminary research claims that offenders with mental health problems are disproportionately denied when applying for parole. The reasons for this are not well understood. This exploratory qualitative research draws on 48 decisions from the Parole Board of Canada decision registry, four interviews with former parole board members, and observation data from 17 parole hearings to explore how mental health problems are constructed within the conditional release decision-making process. Against a risk logic back drop, this institutional ethnography analyzes the way parole board members understand and operationalize mental health within the decision-making process. Self-regulation, medication compliance, and the role of the expert were strong themes that emerged through a content analysis. By integrating symbolic interactionism and a governmentality framework, the current study explores how mental health in parole decision-making is influenced by individual, organizational, and macro-level risk rationalities that draw on neoliberal responsibilization strategies and "psy" expertise. The findings are presented within Hawkin’s (2002) legal decision-making framework. Policy and human rights implications are discussed.

Against the background of an aspired zero emission economy, residential decision making concerning low-carbon technologies (LCTs) has been researched widely to develop appropriate policy measures to foster adoption levels, however, adoption levels remain unexpectedly low. First, prevalent knowledge gaps are caused by the lacking accumulation of knowledge in the research domain, and second, the lacking common understanding of the decision process itself. Third, previous research has not sufficiently accounted for heterogeneity in the population, instead assuming similar drivers and barriers for adoption across consumer segments. Based on an extended Theory of Planned Behavior and previous research findings, a holistic decision framework for residential decision-making concerning LCTs is proposed in this doctoral thesis. A reduced framework could be confirmed for the example technology rooftop PV with a high-quality sample (n=1,800) using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. It could be shown, that adoption intention and strength and influence of predictors vary across consumer segments, even between segments with the same broad social status and/or comparable values. Matching survey data with real-world data revealed, that stated adoption intentions of consumer segments are consistent with adoption behavior in Saxonian zip-codes only for two of five consumer segments. Moreover, it could be demonstrated that common variables used to explain adoption intentions (environmental concern and novelty seeking) are not related with adoption levels in Saxonian zip-codes. Similarly, common variables to explain adoption levels in zip-codes (city-type, share of (semi-) detached houses, population density, previous PV installations) are not related with adoption intentions among consumer segments. These results show that taking consumer heterogeneity into account is crucial to understanding drivers and barriers of residential adoption decisions, and that variables relating to intentions and actual behavior are not necessarily equivalent, providing initial insights into why political measures might not have been sufficiently successful yet.:Abstract iii Zusammenfassung v Publications ix Acknowledgments xi 1 Introductory Remarks 1 2 Residential low-carbon technology decision-making 23 3 Residential PV adoption intention 37 4 The decision towards a residential PV system 63 5 Heterogeneity in PV adoption intentions across consumer segments 83 6 Spatial and household characteristics relating to PV saturation 103 7 Spatial and household characteristics relating to PV adoption intention 121 Statement of Contribution xv Curriculum Vitae xvii Declaration of Authorship xix Bibliographic Description xxi

Escalation of Commitment (EoC) behaviour occurs when a Decision Making Unit (DMU), such as an individual or group, continues with a course of action despite receiving negative feedback about it. Much research exists, within multiple disciplines, which attempts to explain why DMUs continue with failing courses of action. To date however, there has been very little critical inquiry of such research. Using a historical research approach, this thesis reviews and critically assesses all existing EoC behaviour research and concludes that a number of serious issues exist. These include the use of multiple labels by authors to describe the phenomenon; the considerable uncertainty that exists regarding which DMUs are subject to EoC behaviour; the existence of multiple, concurrent definitions for each ‘theory label’ and important EoC behaviour concepts, such as escalation, DMU, resource, success, failure and commitment, not being adequately defined. It is contended that these and other issues exist primarily because of the scope of the phenomenon and the resultant high quantity and complexity of research; all of which impair research technique. However, independent, pre-existing research technique issues are also proposed as reasons. Ultimately, it is argued that the state of EoC behaviour research is poor. It is considered that the mere recognition of the issues raised in this thesis will assist in the improvement of the research. Yet this aspect in isolation is deemed inadequate. In response, a prescriptive technique is developed which is bifurcated between resolutely defining the important concepts related to EoC behaviour research and creating an ‘integrated framework’ which includes all existing EoC behaviour determinants from all research disciplines. The proposed framework also identifies a number of new potential determinants of EoC behaviour, including the Autoepistemic Sunk Cost Effect (ASCE), the age of the DMU and anthropomorphic revenge motives. It is suggested that these two prescriptive responses will also promote focussed future EoC behaviour research, designated in the thesis as research direction. This thesis contributes to existing knowledge by not only recognising research issues that have not previously been acknowledged but also by prescribing for these issues through a complete concept exploration, coupled with a complete collective framework.