Applying Neuroscience Methods to Address Research Challenges in Management

Abstract

Management research relies heavily on methods, most particularly surveys, that portray individuals’ subjective reports of their experiences but fail to capture their deep-seated or subconscious reactions. For instance, survey research has been subject to scrutiny over validity issues, self-report bias, social desirability, and endogeneity, among other things. The purpose of this symposium is to expose management audiences to neuroscientific research methods and how they address some of the limitations of traditional research methods. Presenters will demonstrate the application of physiological and neurological methods to the examination of classic processes in management at the individual and the group level, including decision- making in social-exchange situations and group cohesion and effectiveness. Common to all presented research is that it utilizes these methods to uncover an important aspect of a management phenomenon. For example, one study examined the role of team members’ heart rate in explaining group functioning, and another study tested how the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex is implicated in rational decision-making. Presenters will discuss ways to enhance the ecological validity and applicability of neuroscience technologies to management research. Beyond sharing findings from innovative research, we hope that this symposium will help illustrate to participants the feasibility of employing neuroscientific methodologies in management research. Group Heart Rate Synchrony and Group Cohesion: A Quantitative Review Presenter: Nir Milstein; Bar-Ilan U. Presenter: Ilanit Gordon; Bar Ilan U. Heart Rate Variability and Team Task Performance Presenter: Sebastiano Massaro; Surrey Business School Presenter: Rossana Castaldo; The U. of Warwick Presenter: Siu Wan; Warwick U. Presenter: Andra Serban; Virginia Commonwealth U. Presenter: Leandro Pecchia; Warwick U. Rationality Enhancement: The Effect of Anodal tDCS on the rVLPFC among Ultimatum Game Responders Presenter: Eliran Halali; Bar-Ilan U. Presenter: Michal Lavidor; Bar Ilan U. Presenter: Yoni Slater; Bar Ilan U. Wearable Digital Biomarkers for Organizational Research: Towards a Real-life Neuroscience Presenter: George Christopoulos; Nanyang Business School, NTU Singapore Presenter: Alvin Lee; Nanyang Business School