Decision Frame Research Articles

Evaluating the financial credibility of third-party logistic providers through a novel frank operators-driven group decision-making model with dual hesitant linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy information

In the relevant literature, there is no study dealing with the financial credibility of third-party logistic providers with the help of decision-making frames. Further, there are no criteria to evaluate the third-party logistics providers' creditworthiness in practice, and decision-makers in the banks consider their judgments and experiences to assess the demand of the logistics firms. This study proposes a multi-criteria group decision-making framework through a dual hesitant linguistic q-rung orthopair fuzzy (DHLq-ROF) set to manage uncertainties more effectively and make a theoretical contribution to the academic literature. For ranking, the score function and accuracy function are defined. Additionally, some novel operational laws based on Frank t-norms and t-conorms are defined for DHLq-ROF numbers. A wide range of generalized aggregation operators, such as DHLq-ROF Frank weighted averaging, DHLq-ROF Frank weighted geometric, DHLq-ROF Frank generalized weighted averaging, and DHLq-ROF Frank generalized weighted geometric operators, are also investigated. Beyond that, several prominent characteristics of the proposed operators are studied. It is applied to a financial credibility problem for a multinational organization to demonstrate the introduced model's applicability. Considering the results obtained regarding the importance of the criteria, the most crucial criterion is market indebtedness, followed by fleet vehicle structure and current rate criteria, respectively. The results indicate that UPS, Kuhne & Nagel and DHL Deutsche Post are the best third-party logistic providers. The sensitivity analysis shows that the framework possesses favourable flexibility and effectiveness. Thanks to the framework's ability to produce practical solutions to challenging decision-making problems, it can be reliably preferred in engineering and other fields.

Framing the Default.

A key finding within nudging research is the default effect, where individuals are inclined to stay with a default option when faced with a decision, rather than exploring alternatives (e.g., a preselected job opportunity among two alternatives). Similarly, the study of framing effects delves into how the presentation and context of decisions influence choices (e.g., choosing vs. rejecting a job opportunity among two alternatives). Specifically, previous literature examining choosing versus rejecting decision frames in various situations has found that these frames do not invariably complement each other; therefore, individuals' preferences vary based on the task frame. Yet, simultaneous testing of multiple nudges remains relatively unexplored in the literature. In the current study involving 1,072 participants, we examined how framing and default effects can influence decision-making in hypothetical scenarios. The decision scenarios involved two different domains-work and health. We found that framing had a strong effect on decision-making in both work and health domains, whereas default setting contributed only to a limited extent in the work domain and no effect was found in the health domain, mirroring related recent research findings. We argue for a more careful design of nudge interventions when multiple overlapping nudges are used and for a contextual approach to applying behavioral science to citizens.

Does public officials' risk preference differ in self versus public decision‐making? It depends on decision framing and bet size

AbstractPsychological distance theory and social value theory suggest there is a risk difference in self versus other decision‐making. On this basis, this study explores whether public officials' risk preferences differ in self versus public decision‐making. Inspired by prospect theory, the decision framing and bet size are further considered as the decision‐making conditions. Through a survey experiment using Chinese public officials, this study finds that, compared with decision‐making for themselves, public officials have a lower risk preference in decision‐making for the public. In addition, this risk preference difference occurs under the conditions of a gain frame and larger bet size. Conversely, under the condition of a loss frame and smaller bet size, the risk preference difference disappears. This study reveals public officials' risk pattern in self versus public decision‐making, which has significant implications for managing risk in public decision‐making and guiding those officials to make better decisions for the public.

EXPRESS: Crowdfunding Success for Female versus Male Entrepreneurs Depends on Whether a Consumer versus Investor Decision Frame Is Salient

Ensuring equal access to entrepreneurship and startup funding for both female and male entrepreneurs is crucial for societal perceptions of justice and long-term prosperity. Previous research presents contrasting findings, with some studies indicating a male advantage and others suggesting a female advantage. This research reconciles these inconsistencies by identifying decision frame as a moderator. Specifically, in crowdfunding contexts, a consumer decision frame leads to stronger reliance on communal evaluation norms, resulting in favoring female entrepreneurs who are perceived as more disadvantaged. Conversely, an investor decision frame leads to stronger reliance on exchange evaluation norms, resulting in favoring male entrepreneurs who are perceived as more determined/passionate. Based on this, the authors propose that the strategic use of an entrepreneur’s profile, activating a specific evaluation norm, or showing crowdfunding dependence, attenuates the differential support for female versus male entrepreneurs, resulting in equal support for both. Results from six studies using a multimethod design provide converging support for this framework. This research is the first to differentiate and directly compare consumer versus investor decision frames, advancing the related literature and offering valuable guidelines for entrepreneurs, funding platforms, and public policymakers.

Strategic behavior of large language models and the role of game structure versus contextual framing

This paper investigates the strategic behavior of large language models (LLMs) across various game-theoretic settings, scrutinizing the interplay between game structure and contextual framing in decision-making. We focus our analysis on three advanced LLMs—GPT-3.5, GPT-4, and LLaMa-2—and how they navigate both the intrinsic aspects of different games and the nuances of their surrounding contexts. Our results highlight discernible patterns in each model’s strategic approach. GPT-3.5 shows significant sensitivity to context but lags in its capacity for abstract strategic decision making. Conversely, both GPT-4 and LLaMa-2 demonstrate a more balanced sensitivity to game structures and contexts, albeit with crucial differences. Specifically, GPT-4 prioritizes the internal mechanics of the game over its contextual backdrop but does so with only a coarse differentiation among game types. In contrast, LLaMa-2 reflects a more granular understanding of individual game structures, while also giving due weight to contextual elements. This suggests that LLaMa-2 is better equipped to navigate the subtleties of different strategic scenarios while also incorporating context into its decision-making, whereas GPT-4 adopts a more generalized, structure-centric strategy.

Does Military Experience Really Matter? An Empirical Examination of Decision Framing and Deterrence Decision-Making

Abstract While it is widely understood that risk tolerance shapes conflict behavior, research in cognitive psychology has long demonstrated that reframing otherwise identical objective conditions can significantly alter people’s risk perception. Nonetheless, the potential impact of reframing during immediate deterrence has received little empirical scrutiny. In this study, we focus our attention on a comparison of the lay public and experienced military officials who, due to their expertise and training, are presumed to be less vulnerable to cognitive biases when making judgments about military affairs. To test this proposition, we deployed a unique set of deterrence decision experiments that, for the first time, directly compare the impact of reframing on a representative sample of the public and on a large (n = 479) sample of experienced active-duty US military officers (ranked Major through General) across three conflict domains (conventional, cyber, and nuclear). We find that, despite their greater expertise with military operations, officers are not less vulnerable to reframing than the lay public. Our results both conditionally challenge the common refrain that military officers serve as “adults in the room” during a crisis and establish that reframing within a crisis constitutes an underexplored mechanism that can both stabilize and destabilize deterrence dynamics.

An exploration of in-service teachers’ framing, instrumental, and core design judgments in dynamic decision-making for technology integration

Dynamic decision-making plays a critical role in teachers’ instructional design and technology integration processes; it directly influences the design and development of teaching practices, student learning experiences, and learning environments. However, limited studies have investigated how teachers engage in dynamic decision-making processes in designing instruction and technology integration, wherein teachers are involved in multiple types of design judgments that inform their design decisions for instruction and technology integration. The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ framing, instrumental, and core judgments that were intertwined in dynamic decision-making for technology integration. The study utilized the critical decision method approach to investigate teachers’ three prioritized design judgments in dynamic decision-making. The findings of this study helped us gain a better understanding of teachers’ dynamic decision-making processes, pedagogical reasoning, and design judgments while designing instruction for technology integration. It also informs professional development strategies to develop teachers’ instructional design decision-making skills for technology integration.

Cross coordination of behavior clone and reinforcement learning for autonomous within-visual-range air combat

In this article, we propose a novel hierarchical framework to resolve within-visual-range (WVR) air-to-air combat under complex nonlinear 6 degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) dynamics of the aircraft and missile. The decision process is constructed with two layers from the top to the bottom and adopts reinforcement learning to solve them separately. The top layer designs a new combat policy to decide the autopilot commands (such as the target heading, velocity, and altitude) and missile launch according to the current combat situation. Then the bottom layer uses a control policy to answer the autopilot commands by calculating the actual input signals (deflections of the rudder, elevator, aileron, and throttle) for the aircraft. For the combat policy, we present a new learning method called “E2L” that can mimic the knowledge of the expert under the two-layer decision frame to inspire the intelligence of the agent in the early stage of training. This method establishes a cross coordination of behavior clone (BC) and proximal policy optimization (PPO). Under the mechanism, the agent is alternately updated around the latest strategy, using BC with gradient clipping and PPO with Kullback–Leibler divergence loss and the modified BC demonstration trajectories, which can learn competitive combat strategies more stably and quickly. Sufficient experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve better combat performance than the baselines.

'It is empowering and gives people dignity in a very difficult process': A multistage, multimethod qualitative study to understand the views of end users in the cultural adaptation of a dementia and driving decision aid.

Decisions about driving for individuals living with dementia (ILWD) can be challenging. There are limited evidence-based person-centred interventions in the United Kingdom that support decisions about transitioning to not driving or guidelines for developing decision aids for ILWD. This study aimed to understand the important features of a decision aid through the cultural adaptation of Australian dementia and driving decision aid (DDDA) for ILWD residing in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study was theoretically underpinned by a person-centred framework and conducted over three stages: (1) Development of a draft UK-specificDDDA; (2) semistructured interviews with ILWDand an online survey with stakeholders to obtain their views on a draft UK DDDA and (3) content analysis and synthesis of qualitative data to inform the final version of the decision aid. Eleven ILWD and six of their spouses participated in interviews, and 102 stakeholders responded to an online survey. The four broad features identified as important to include in a decision aid for drivers living with dementia were: a structured and interactive format; positive and supportive messaging and presentation; relevant and concise contentand choice-centred. The perceived benefits of the decision aid were identified as supporting conversations, enhancing collaborative decision making and enabling agency with decisions about driving and future mobility options. Decision aids that are underpinned by interactive choice-driven questions enhance a person-centred approach to decisions about driving. Positively framing decision aids through the presentation and content can facilitate engagement with the decision-making process about driving. The findings have implications for the development of decision aids designed for ILWD on other important health and social topics. Advocating for the development of a UK DDDA were ILWD. Healthcare professionals contributed to the development of a draft UK DDDA. Former and current drivers living with dementia, family members, healthcare professionals and other support networks of ILWD participated in interviews or an online survey which informed the final version of the UK DDDA.

The effects of governance quality on renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption: An explainable decision frame

AbstractThis study analyzes the effect of governance quality (six aspects: government effectiveness; control of corruption; voice and accountability; regulatory quality; political stability and absence of violence; and rule of law) on the renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption prediction based on the SHapely Additive exPlanations method for model analysis and interpretability. The empirical findings indicate that the time‐varying contributions of six aspects of governance quality on nonrenewable (renewable) energy consumption predicting vary greatly in E‐7 and G‐7 countries. The time‐varying contribution of governance quality within countries is heterogeneous and asymmetrical, especially India (Germany) in E‐7 countries (G‐7 countries). The prediction contribution distribution of governance quality between countries is more discrete in G‐7 countries than E‐7 countries. Our results are of great importance to policymakers and investors for enhancing the renewable energy consumption level in overcoming environmental challenges based on the country itself through governance quality.

From dawn to dusk: The relationship between CEO career horizon and ESG engagement

This study investigates the influence of a CEO's career horizon on a firm's engagement in ESG. Given the private benefits which CEOs can extract from this strategy, we argue that a firm's willingness to pursue additional ESG efforts is likely to mirror CEOs' desire to strengthen their personal reputation and curb their perceived risk exposure at each stage of their career horizon. Drawing on the prospect theory, we theorize the decomposition of CEOs' career horizon into two counteracting forces (career concerns and legacy concerns) to explain how a CEO's effort in ESG could change depending on the length of the horizon and the influence of a reference point, such as their firm's performance relative to the industry benchmark. Using a sample of European listed companies from 2007 to 2018, our evidence supports an inverted U-shaped relationship between CEO career horizon and a firm's ESG engagement. This result shows the importance of a CEO's eagerness for personal reputation as a key antecedent of companies' ESG actions. However, a CEO's perceived risk exposure proves not to be a relevant driver of ESG, since we find that such a relationship is not sensitive to decision framing based on relative performance.

Compensatory consumption and unplanned purchases: the moderating role of the decision frame effect

ABSTRACT This research aims to investigate the relationship between prior spending and unplanned purchases based on an understanding of decision framing effects and compensatory psychology. We argue that the impact of prior buying on unplanned purchases is moderated by the decision frame (separate vs. integrated). We conducted a series of four sequential scenario-based experimental studies to support our theoretical predictions. Consequently, our study revealed that travelers within a separate decision frame exhibited a stronger compensatory motive, leading to a higher unplanned purchase when prior spending was low. In practice, this research has managerial implications using compensatory consumption marketing strategies.

Shared decision-making and social science: A patient perspective.

Shared decision making (SDM) between doctors and patients has been deemed important when providing care. Yet, it can be difficult to achieve. Specific examples from a patient perspective are integrated with the social science literature to provide an overview of components of SDM including the role of fit, trust, information asymmetry, cognitive decision frames and balancing medical and patient outcomes. Consideration of these issues should facilitate higher quality SDM conversations.

Digital Enabling Assistive Technology Through the Provision Lens - A Global Perspective in a Nordic Context.

The Nordic healthcare system is well-established, taxation-based, and locally administered, featuring person-centered care as a social welfare pillar. Public provision of assistive technology and welfare technology within healthcare systems means every citizen has equal access to services. But how well are policies and procedures keeping pace with demographic changes and technology developments?. This study critically analyses qualitative data from 24 stakeholders involved in municipal-level procurement and allocation of assistive and welfare technology in Sweden with a specific focus on emerging digital technology. An extant analysis framework was used: the World Health Organization-GATE 5P framework for strengthening access to AT. Recommendations are made for agile procurement and an outcome-based decision frame. The voice of the AT user may be a valuable addition to inform policy.

Review of wrongful convictions following police misconduct: A study of the English Criminal Cases Review Commission

Abstract The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) reviews possible wrongful convictions in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, referring back to the Court of Appeal cases where there is a ›real possibility‹ that the conviction is unsafe. This article presents findings from a four-year empirical study of decision-making within the CCRC. It explores how Commission staff exercise discretionary powers in identifying and investigating possible wrongful convictions, referring just a few back to the Court.<fnote> Since its inception in April 1997, the CCRC has received almost 29,000 applications and referred 797 back to the Court of Appeal. Of these referrals, the Court has quashed the conviction in 542 cases. In 2019-20, the CCRC received 1,334 applications, and in 2020-21, 1,142.</fnote> It focuses on a sample of cases that turned on police misconduct in pursuit of a socio-legal contribution to our understanding of the response of the state to claims of wrongful conviction. It demonstrates that caseworkers’ approaches to investigation and decision-making is shaped by the law and internal policies such that reasonably consistent decision frames emerge.

Cracking the code: the effects of codes of conduct and decision frames on supplier selection in financially distressed firms

PurposeFirms are increasingly required to make ethical choices when selecting suppliers for their supply chains, and the decisions often rest on individual purchasing managers within the firm. This study builds on the literature on ethical decision-making and the concept of decision frames to investigate the decision-making process of purchasing managers in financially distressed firms. Codes of Conduct (CoC) and how they are enforced (financial rewards and codified procedures for oversight) are studied in terms of their effectiveness in informing and guiding purchasing managers in their supplier selection decisions.Design/methodology/approachFour sequential experiments were conducted with a total of 648 purchasing managers from manufacturing firms.FindingsThe results indicate that purchasing managers in firms facing financial distress are more than four times more likely than purchasing managers in the control groups to select the less ethical supplier in favor of better operational performance. As a potential remedy, it is found that enforcing the firm's CoC help to counteract this tendency and increase ethical supplier selection decisions by 2.1- to 2.6-fold. However, CoC enforcement that invokes multiple conflicting decision frames simultaneously is more likely to impair than promote ethical supplier selection decisions, compared to situations where only one enforcement method is present.Originality/valueThese findings develop an improved understanding of purchasers' decision-making processes and shed light on how to effectively use CoCs to guide these decisions.

Business case or paradoxical decision-making frame? What's influencing Australian managers' participation in energy demand response

Meeting the challenges of rapid progress to net-zero emissions requires action from both electricity generators and consumers. Through their participation in energy management programs, such as demand response, businesses can contribute to the provision of much needed balancing services for electricity markets to ensure reliability and security of supply under an increasing volume of renewable energy. However, how businesses decide to participate in these programs and what factors influence these decisions is not well understood. This study interviews managers in 23 commercial and industrial businesses to investigate the decision-making process used by these managers when deciding to participate in demand response programs. We highlight the integrated nature of the cognitive processes involved, and the factors which influence these decisions (including information sought). Intervention points are identified with application for utilities, regulators, policy makers and demand response program providers seeking to increase commercial and industrial participation in demand response.

Theoretical explanations of developmental reversals in memory and reasoning

Developmental reversals are puzzling situations in which cognitive development seems to be devolving rather than evolving because reasoning and memory become more illogical and biased with age. The theoretical conundrum is to explain how underlying processes that mature in the normal way could nevertheless cause specific forms of reasoning and memory to seem to devolve. Currently, there are several competing explanations, which can be divided into two broad categories: (a) an explanation that actually predicted several developmental reversals before they were identified empirically and (b) several other explanations that attempt to account for reversals after the fact. Concerning a, fuzzy-trace theory predicted developmental reversals for certain reasoning illusions (e.g., decision framing, conjunction fallacies) and memory illusions (e.g., false memory paradigms) that had been extensively studied in adults. The key idea was that illusions in both domains derive from an ability that develops slowly, the tendency to rely on semantic gist. This explanation has stimulated a substantial research literature, which includes critical tests of its predictions. Concerning b, the alternative explanations can be grouped into major accounts and minor accounts. The major alternatives (the developmental deficit and associative network hypotheses) have generated substantial research, but neither explains the full range of developmental reversals. The minor alternatives (the working-memory capacity, item and relational encoding, recollection and familiarity, and perceptual and conceptual style hypotheses) have generated only limited research, and they also do not explain the full range of developmental reversals.

The changing dynamics of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1: Next steps for management & science in North America

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 was introduced in North America in late 2021 through trans-Atlantic pathways via migratory birds. These introductions have resulted in an unprecedented epizootic, a widespread disease event in animals, heavily affecting poultry, wild birds, and recently mammals. The North American incursions occurred during the largest epidemic season (2021–2022) in Europe where H5N1 may now be endemic (i.e., continuously present). The continuing outbreak includes expansion into Mexico, Central and South America beginning in late 2022. Here, we provide an overview of the Eurasian origin H5N1 introduction to the Americas, including a significant shift in virus dynamics and severe disease in wild birds. Then, to investigate the global changes in confirmed detections in wild birds and poultry across time and geographic regions, we analyzed FAO's EMPRES-i + database. To examine the 2021 introduction and spread in North American wild birds and poultry, we collated publicly available data across USA and Canadian federal sources. Based on our assessment, the unique magnitude of the North American H5N1 spread indicates the need for effective decision framing to prioritize management needs and scientific inquiry, particularly for species at risk and interface areas for wildlife, poultry, and humans. We illustrate the rapidly occurring and likely increasing detrimental effects that this One Health issue has on wildlife, agriculture, and potentially human health, and we offer a reframing of HPAIV disease response towards a decision analytical context to guide scientific prioritization as a potentially valuable change in focus.

Rejections Are More Contagious than Choices: How Another’s Decisions Shape Our Own

Abstract Every day, we learn about others’ decisions from various sources. We perceive some of these decisions as choices and others as rejections. Does the mere perception of another’s decision as a choice versus as a rejection influence our own behavior? Are we more likely to conform to another’s decision if we view it in one way or the other? The current research investigates the social influence of decision frames. Eight studies, including a field study conducted during a livestreaming event hosted by an influencer with over 1.5 million followers, find that people are more likely to conform to another’s decision if it is perceived as a rejection than if it is perceived as a choice. This effect happens because consumers are more likely to attribute another’s decision to product quality as opposed to personal preference, when consumers perceive another’s decision as a rejection than as a choice. The inference about quality versus personal preference in turn increases conformity. This research bridges the existing literatures on decision framing, social influence, and perceptions of quality and personal preference, and it offers important implications for marketers and influencers.