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<p>  </p> <p>This study investigates consumers’ moral-decision making process when they become aware of brands’ controversial actions. Specifically, this study aims to understand the effects of consumers’ cognitive and affective responses on their moral judgments after learning about the controversy of brands conducting animal testing, which in turn impacts their brand switching intention. The current study also considers consumers’ approach-avoidance conflicts in the moral-decision making process in which consumers confront moral dilemmas. The particular brands’ controversial action of interest for this study is personal care brands’ conducting animal testing on their products and selling animal-tested products because many believe that animal testing is only vital for biomedical research purposes but not for pursuing beauty purposes. This study builds a conceptual model depicting the consumer moral decision-making process based on Rest's (1994) and Schwartz’s (2015) ethical decision-making (EDM) theory and Sirgy’s (1986) self-congruence theory. To test the model, highly valid responses were collected from 454 U.S. nationwide consumers through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and analyzed by structural equation modeling. The results indicated that: (1) consumers’ affective response (outward-focused emotion) and cognitive response (moral awareness) both provoked their moral incongruence and brand switching intention, (2) consumers’ cognitive response had a negative and significant impact on their moral disengagement, but moral disengagement had a marginal impact on brand switching intentions, (3) consumers’ affective response has a stronger impact on their moral judgment than cognitive, and their affective response can directly lead to brand switching intention, and lastly, (4) moral incongruence and moral disengagement mediated the effects of moral awareness and outward-focused emotion on brand switching intention. Finally, the research findings contribute to the consumer science literature in the area of consumers' moral decision-making process. For practical contributions, this study encourages companies to conduct practice that follows general consumers' moral beliefs and values to avoid losing their loyal customers. </p>

After 12 years of isolation, the relations between Brussels and Minsk have been thawing starting in the last year. One of the components of the policy of re-engagement is the new initiative adopted by the EU called Eastern Partnership (EaP). This thesis sought to answer following question: what were the main reasons for the change in the EU policy towards Belarus after 2008? In order to answer the research question I formulated two hypotheses. The first hypothesis argues that while the EU has acted according to the normative power expectations up until 2008, after that date a more pragmatic approach in the foreign policy has been at work. The second hypothesis explains this change by the increasing influence of Eastern European countries in realm of decision-making processes within the EU, which resulted in a reformed EU foreign policy towards Belarus.These hypotheses are tested in a qualitative case study of the launching of the Eastern Partnership initiative, seen as the most important instrument that defines the new policy of EU. I will focus on the process of decision–making in regards to the adoption of the new initiative towards the Eastern European countries, using the rational actor model and the theory of formal leadership. The results of the paper point out that the main reason for changing the EU foreign policy towards Belarus were connected to pragmatic interests in the economic and energy areas, which weakened the EU normative claims. However, EU values are still counted as political conditionality has recently re-entered the agenda. Thus, the current foreign policy is two-fold: based on rational model of acting and normative power. Moreover, the EaP is the result of the strengthened position of Eastern European countries in terms of the power hierarchy among EU members, with Poland, and the Baltic States playing an increasingly larger role.

Research on historical consumers has focused on physical products, financial services have received less attention. A model, "The Consumer Decision Making Model for Financial Services," emphasizes variable interaction and was introduced to address this lack of knowledge. The study focuses on Generation Z, a consumer group with over 2 billion individuals and increased purchasing power. Despite extensive research on this group, there is a lack of empirical data on their consumption of financial services. The purpose of studies is to deepen the understanding of Generation Z's decision-making processes in financial services by analyzing their psychographic, demographic and situational characteristics.  The study follows a quantitative research design with a deductive approach. The deductive approach means that hypotheses are formulated based on existing knowledge and theoretical considerations. By using a quantitative method, objectivity was enabled in the exploration of various themes, which also provided the ability to identify trends and connections. To collect empirical data, a web-based survey was conducted, where responses were obtained from 51 respondents within the relevant target group. The research questions that guide the study's design and data collection are anchored in theoretical considerations. This approach increases the credibility and relevance of the study by following a systematic methodology that is anchored in established theory.  The theoretical basis of the study is based on established theories of decision-making and decision-making models, with particular emphasis on the complex landscape of financial services. A central point of reference is "The Consumer Decision Making Model for Financial Services" by Milner and Rosenstreich (2013a), introduced to address the unique challenges of this specific field. Literature about Generation Z have also been extensively researched to highlight the unique factors that influence their decision-making processes. The study on Generation Z's financial decision-making processes shows that demographic factors do not have a major impact on their choices. Despite varying life situations and incomes, education is a priority for them. Life events such as parenthood or moving house affect their search for financial information, and despite their digital skills, family still plays an important role in their decisions. The study provides both theoretical insights and practical guidelines for actors in financial services and marketing. / Forskning om konsumenter har historiskt fokuserat på fysiska produkter, finansiella tjänster har fått mindre uppmärksamhet. En modell, "The Consumer Decision Making Model for Financial Services", betonar variabel interaktion och introducerades för att åtgärda denna brist på kunskap. Studien fokuserar på Generation Z, en konsumentgrupp med över 2 miljarder individer och ökad köpkraft. Trots omfattande forskning om denna grupp saknas det empirisk data om deras konsumtion av finansiella tjänster. Syftet med studier är att fördjupa förståelsen för Generation Z:s beslutsprocesser inom finansiella tjänster genom att analysera deras psykografiska, demografiska och situationella egenskaper.  Studien följer en kvantitativ forskningsdesign med en deduktiv ansats. Den deduktiva metoden innebär att hypoteser formuleras utifrån befintlig kunskap och teoretiska överväganden. Genom att använda en kvantitativ metod möjliggjordes objektivitet i utforskningen av olika teman, vilket också gav möjligheten att identifiera trender och kopplingar. För att samla in empirisk data genomfördes en webbaserad undersökning där svar erhölls från 51 respondenter inom den relevanta målgruppen. Forskningsfrågorna som styr studiens design och datainsamling är förankrade i teoretiska överväganden. Detta tillvägagångssätt ökar studiens trovärdighet och relevans genom att följa en systematisk metod som är förankrad i etablerad teori.  Den teoretiska grunden för studien bygger på etablerade teorier om beslutsfattande och beslutsfattande modeller, med särskild tonvikt på det komplexa landskapet för finansiella tjänster. En central referenspunkt är "The Consumer Decision Making Model for Financial Services" av Milner och Rosenstreich (2013a), introducerad för att ta itu med de unika utmaningarna inom detta specifika område. Litteratur om Generation Z har också undersökts mycket för att lyfta fram de unika faktorer som påverkar deras beslutsprocesser. Studien om Generation Z:s ekonomiska beslutsprocesser visar att demografiska faktorer inte har någon större inverkan på deras val. Trots varierande livssituationer och inkomster är utbildning en prioritet för dem. Livshändelser som föräldraskap eller flytt påverkar deras sökande efter ekonomisk information, och trots deras digitala kompetens spelar familjen fortfarande en viktig roll i deras beslut. Studien ger både teoretiska insikter och praktiska riktlinjer för aktörer inom finansiella tjänster och marknadsföring.

Problematization: Family firms in Sweden play a vital role in the labor force, reflecting their extensive presence and essential role in the economy. Central to every family firm are its guiding values, shared among family members engaged in its activities. Driven by a commitment to their local communities and a sense of social responsibility, family firms actively pursue social initiatives. However, there is a recognized imperative for additional research to investigate micro-level aspects and enhance the comprehension of the Socioemotional Wealth (SEW) model. Purpose: The research aims to establish a conceptual framework for investigation of the interconnection between family firms and social initiatives. The primary objective is to explore how family values are embedded in the decision-making process concerning social initiatives within the local community. Method: An exploratory multiple case study design was employed, utilizing a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with family members actively involved in the decision-making process regarding social initiatives and their subsequent implementation. Main results: Family values guide decisions related to social initiatives within family firms, driven by centralized ownership, while the business values of firms are influenced by the values upheld by family owners. Consequently, the decision-making process is influenced by the personal interests of family members, hence the essence of fostering community togetherness. The findings underscored an informal decision-making process across various industries,wherein decisions are guided by the personal interests of family members in pursuing social initiatives within the local community.

Changes in the environment are a major area of concern to any firm in its strategic decision making process (SDMP). SDMP is considered to be an important component in the success of firms in the strategic management literature. This includes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the electronic, telecom and information technology (IT) sector which are subjected to frequent and extremely dynamic environments both internally and externally, unlike many other industries. A lack of prior studies supporting an understanding of the SDMP in SMEs is evident, and coupled with the extremely volatile environmental conditions that compound the problem, makes SMES dealing in electronic, telecom and IT products and services highly vulnerable to closure. An immediate investigation into the SDMP in SMEs is needed and long overdue. This research seeks to address this gap in the knowledge. In order to address the gap this research used synoptic formalism and incrementalism to develop an understanding on how SMEs in the electronic, telecom and IT sector make decisions and what is the nature of these decisions. A Strategic Decision Making Process (SDMP) model was developed based on prior research. Decision magnitude of impact acted as the input to the SDMP, rationality and intuition acted as the process component, and decision process output as the output component. Thus these three concepts acted as the three components of a process (input-process-output) configuration. The model facilitated the development of an understanding of the functioning of decision magnitude of impact as a decision characteristic factor, its relationship to SDMP and process dimensions (rationality in decision making and intuition) as an antecedent (and hence as a predictor) of decision output variables (decision process effectiveness), quality of the decision process output through the mediation of decision dimensions. In line with the need to understand the SDMP in SMEs data were collected from managers of a large number of SMEs belonging to electronic, telecom and IT sector. The territory chosen was the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates) as this region provides a rich source of such SMEs and the environment is highly dynamic. A self-administered questionnaire was developed by adapting previously validated questionnaire scales. Pre-testing and pilot surveys were used to ensure that the contents, format and scales were appropriate. A range of decision makers in those SMEs were targeted. 464 valid questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of over 50%. The data was coded and analysed using SPSS/AMOS, two widely used statistical software tools. The data analysis steps included reliability and validity testing (Cronbach’s alpha and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, respectively). The entire model was tested using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Using SEM it was possible to identify the model, test the parsimonious nature of the model, determine whether the identified model makes theoretical sense and examine the fitness of the model to the data. The predictability of decision process output by decision magnitude of impact was analysed using path analysis as part of the SEM. The research outcome showed that in the electronic, telecommunication and information technology sector, where the environment is dynamic, decision magnitude as an important independent variable influences rationality in decision making directly and decision effectiveness, quality of decision process output and firm commitment indirectly. Rationality in decision making was found act as an important medicating variable in the strategic decision making process. In the same vein it was found that intuition is not affected by decision magnitude of impact. Further, dynamism in the industry and firm performance were also seen to influence decision effectiveness, quality of decision process output and firm commitment although the influence of dynamism in the industry on firm commitment was found to be very low. Thus the main contribution of this research is the development of an understanding of the relationship between decision magnitude of impact as input to the SDMP and hence as predictor of decision process output and the SDMP process output. Furthermore, the research has advanced current knowledge on the influence of rationality in decision making and intuition as mediators between decision magnitude of impact and decision process output variables. These two aspects have been tested in an SME sector that is affected seriously by dynamism in the industry and with varying firm performance as a contextual feature. The comprehensive research outcome can be of benefit to the SMEs in the electronic, telecom and IT sector and support them in overcoming potential vulnerabilities by making strategic decisions whose magnitude of impact on the firms is high and a decision process that is rational. In addition from the point of view of methodology this research has used SEM in understanding the nature and functioning of the model as well as the operationalisation of the variables. The outcome of this research is expected to benefit the SMEs in the electronic, telecom and IT sector in their SDMP and has opened up a new area of research for other researchers and academics.

政務官面對急速變遷的環境，必須洞察時代的脈動，妥為因應，才能永續發展組織的業務。因此，不論工作計畫的擬定、問題的解決、或危機處理，必須掌握先機，蒐集資訊，並運用決策模型，縝密分析後採取行動，才能達到預期的目標，而正確的決策，對於機關業務的推動，更具關鍵性的影響。 　　本研究主要採取文獻探討、比較分析、深度訪談等研究方法。為能更深入了解我國政務官決策之方法、過程及面臨之困境，本研究參考決策相關理論，諸如，認知性決策過程、理性選擇、結構式溝通、利益團體、影響決策過程因素、政治系統過程等問題設計訪談題綱，並抽樣分別向行政院所屬相關部會，如法務部、經濟部、教育部、大陸委員會、勞工委員會、青年輔導委員會、蒙藏委員會等機關首長深度訪談，從其決策經驗及實案分析，以了解其決策之模型，並避免本研究流於理論之空談。 　　本研究發現：一、政務官在決策前，對於政策都能充分理解。二、政務官的決策方式，都有採用有限理性模型。三、政務官的決策方法，都有採用群體決策。四、政務官對於利益團體的活動，都認為有其必要性。五、政務官認為影響其決策的因素，可歸納為時間的壓力、輿論的反應、預算的通過、高層意見、立法院、法律限制等。六、政務官對於國內的政治生態環境皆能適應。 　　根據文獻探討及深度訪談發現，本研究提出以下建議，作為政務官決策之參考：一、理解政策問題。二、確定政策目標。三、建構備選方案。四、設定篩選準則。五、爭取政策支持。六、監督政策執行。 / Government officials especially for those who are responsible for ministerial portfolio have to make decisions in response to the constantly changing environment. Hence, it requires takes excellent foresight, good data mining skills, superior strategic models and deliberate analysis to draft plans, solve problems, and deal with the crisis. Making the right decision serves as the key factor in the process of successful governance. 　　In this research, the author applies the methods of literature review, comparative analysis, and in-depth interview in order to understand the decision-making process, decision methods, as well as decision dilemma confronting ministerial officials with portfolio. Further more, this research uses relevant decision -making theories, such as cognitive decision process, rational choice, structured communication, and factors affecting decision-making process, such as interest groups & political system process. Based on the parameters of literature review, the author designs the outlines of interviews and selects ministerial officials with portfolio from the ministry of justice, ministry of economic affairs, ministry of education, mainland affairs council, national youth commission, and Mongolian and Tibetan affairs commission and conducts in-depth interviews. 　　There are several important findings derived from our 〝empirical〞case studies. First, before a government official makes his decision, he has a full grasp with the policy issue. Second, the decision models of government officials are mostly based on limited-rational model. Third, government officials often make decisions based on group consensus. Fourth, government officials think it is necessary to take opinions of interest groups into account. Fifth, government officials spend a lot of time in response to public pressure, budget & legal constraints demands of Legislative Yuan and in fathoming the attitudes of higher authorities before they make their decisions. Sixth, most government officials are quite accustomed to the political environment. 　　According to our literature review and in-depth interviews, this study makes the following suggestions before a government official makes his or her policy decision. First, fully comprehend the content and implications of a policy. Second, set an objective for the policy. Third, keep a substitute project on hand. Forth, set criteria or standards for policy implementation. Fifth, to garner for support from government and related actors. Sixth, monitor the execution of a policy.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

Children nowadays are exposed to a huge amount of advertisements wherever they go. It appears that children are a very attractive target group because of their ability to influence their parents to buy them preferred products and brands. This Thesis focuses on analysis of children's influence on their parents' purchase decisions. The Thesis consists of 5 chapters. First three parts are theoretical. The introductory chapter deals with the consumer's purchase decision-making process and factors that affect this process. The second part describes family as a special consumer unit which forms individual consumer behaviour. Final theoretical chapter focuses on the child as a specific consumer and customer. In the practical part the reserach is conducted to reveal into what extent children influence their parents about purchase. At the end the recommendations for successful children advertisement are set up.

Customers today use travel agencies that exist on the internet more frequently. However, what makes the customer trust a specific website? The purpose of this study is to examine if a customers’ trust towards a travel agency is affected by the agency’s website and the role trust plays in customers’ decision-making process. To examine this purpose a web survey and interviews were carried out. The web survey totals 110 responses and 15 people were selected through snowball sampling for the interviews. Results demonstrate that customers are affected by the design of the website in a way that it decides whether or not the customer will invest time and use the website. Furthermore, after getting past the first stage customers then decide whether or not a website is trustworthy depending on a set of factors including but not limited to security, information and navigation. The customers’ decision-making process is affected by trust in a later stage when the customer evaluates the possible alternatives. However when it comes to choosing a website, a customer might choose to buy a product from a website he/she has previously used due to already having built a trust towards the website and therefore refrains from using an unknown website. In that sense, trust is present from previous experiences and affects the customer in an earlier stage of the decision-making process. / Användningen av internet i vardagen har ökat under de senaste två decennierna. Som en form av marknadsföring är internet rätt ny och kan därmed medföra utmaningar för marknadsförare. För att kunna locka till sig kunder via internet samt behålla dem måste ett företags hemsida kunna tillfredsställa kunderna på olika sätt. Om en hemsida misslyckas med detta kan resultatet bli att kunderna avstår från att använda sig av en hemsida och använda andra företags hemsidor. Kunder använder idag resebyråer som finns på internet oftare. Men vad får kunden att ge sitt förtroende till en viss hemsida? Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka om kunders förtroende mot en resebyrå påverkas av resebyråns hemsida och vilken roll förtroendet spelar för kundernas beslutsprocess. För att undersöka detta syfte genomfördes en websurvey och intervjuer. Websurvey uppgick till 110 svar och 15 personer valdes genom snöbollsurval för intervjuerna. Resultatet visar att kunderna påverkas av designen på ett sätt som avgör om kunden kommer investera tid och använda hemsidan eller inte. Efter att ha tagit sig förbi det första steget bestämmer kunderna huruvida en hemsida är pålitlig eller inte beroende på en uppsättning faktorer, inklusive men inte begränsat till säkerhet, information och navigering. Kundernas beslutsprocess påverkas av förtroende i ett senare skede när kunden utvärderar möjliga alternativ. Men när det gäller att välja en hemsida kan en kund välja att köpa en produkt från en webbplats som hen tidigare använt på grund av att hen redan har byggt upp tillit till hemsidan och därför avstår från att använda en okänd hemsida. På så sätt är förtroendet närvarande från tidigare erfarenheter och påverkar kunden i ett tidigare skede av beslutsprocessen.