Rational Theory Research Articles

Rational Egoism Virtue-Based Ethical Beliefs and Subjective Happiness: An Empirical Investigation.

The fields of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and goal-setting have all demonstrated that individuals can modify their beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors to improve their subjective happiness. But which ethical beliefs affect happiness positively? In comparison to ethical belief systems such as deontology, consequentialism, and altruism, rational egoism appears to be alone in suggesting that an individual’s long-term self-interest and subjective happiness is possible, desirable, and moral.Albeit an important theoretical foundation of the rational egoism philosophy, the relationship between rational egoism and subjective happiness has yet to be investigated empirically. Using (Overall and Gedeon, Business and Professional Ethics. 38:43–78, 2018) 24-item rational egoism scale, we test this relationship on a random sample of 534 full-time American workers using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Consistent with rational egoism theory, the main contribution to knowledge of this research is finding a statistically significant relationship between rational egoism and subjective happiness. Implications for practice and areas for future study are suggested.

An Extended Theory of Rational Addiction

This study extends the rational addiction theory by introducing an endogenous discounting of future utilities. The discount rate depends on habits accumulating over time because of the repeated consumption of an addictive good. The endogeneity of the discount rate affects consumption decisions via a habit-dependent rate of time preference and discloses a patience-dependence trade-off. The existence of a steady state in which habits do not grow and its optimality are proven. The local stability properties of the steady state reveal that the equilibrium can be a saddle node, implying smooth convergence to the steady state, but also a stable or unstable focus, potentially predicting real-world behaviors such as binge drinking or extreme addiction states that may drive to death. The stability of the steady state mostly depends on the habit formation process, suggesting that heterogeneity in habit formation may be a key component to explain heterogeneity in time preferences.

Consumer Sentiment in Turkey, from Closure to the New Normal

The main aim of the study was to analyze consumer sentiment in the COVID-19 pandemic period in the context of Turkey. In this context, “expectations of consumers regarding the changes in their current income and general expenditures in the economic conditions brought along with normalization process” and “in what direction consumer sentiment would change in the 6-month period following the normalization process in Turkey” were investigated. Based on these research questions, a descriptive study was conducted by adopting a quantitative research method. The questionnaire method was employed in the collection of the study data. As the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing when the study was conducted, the data were collected through an online questionnaire by using the convenience sampling method. The data that were obtained from 1147 participants were analyzed by using descriptive statistics through SPSS 24 software. The results that were obtained demonstrated that almost half of the consumers anticipated a decrease in their income in the 6-month period following the normalization process, and that they expected their expenditures would be reduced. In addition, it was determined that consumers were pessimistic in terms of the potential changes that would occur in their personal savings and family living conditions. Hence, it was found that consumers did not expect a considerable improvement in their economic and living conditions in the 6-month period following the normalization process. As the results that were obtained from consumers’ expectations were conscious estimations, as discussed in the assumption of rational expectations theory, they support the estimations of this economic theory.

Bounded rationality: are higher online review ratings always better for sales?

ABSTRACT Intuitively, high online review ratings should benefit sales. However, the previous findings show mixed results. The effect of online review ratings on purchases might vary by many factors. We utilize the bounded rationality theory to predict that consumers might seek to satisfice rather than maximize when they evaluate online review ratings to make purchase decisions. The effect of online review ratings on purchase decisions is likely to be concave if bounded rationality prevails in decision-making. If consumers seek a ‘good-enough’ level of online review ratings rather than the optimal rating, the marginal merit is smaller for higher ratings that are more than satisfactory. Findings from more than ten million consumer choices on Expedia.com indicate that the marginal effect of online review ratings on consumer decisions varies and the effect is concave.

Internet of Things Background: An Empirical Study on the Payment Intention of Central Bank Digital Currency Design

This article proposes and verifies the consumer acceptance intention model under the background of central bank digital currency payment. It modifies the theory of technology acceptance (TAM), rational action theory (TRA), and extended valence framework (EVF) through the construction of perceived privacy, perceived security, perceived system quality, and perceived benefits. The data collected from 325 questionnaires on consumers’ attitudes toward the central bank’s digital currency were used to apply the structural equation model to evaluate the prediction model. The empirical results indicate that perceived privacy, perceived security, and perceived system quality are important predictors of perceived trust, and perceived trust is an important predictor of perceived interest and intention. Perceived privacy, perceived security, and perceived system quality are key factors influencing consumers’ intentions.

ADVERSUS “ADVERSUS HOMO ECONOMICUS”: CRITIQUE OF THE “CRITIQUE OF LESTER’S ACCOUNT OF INSTRUMENTAL RATIONALITY”

This essay goes through Frederick 2015 (the critique) in some detail, responding to the various paraphrases and criticisms therein. It is argued that in each case the critique is mistaken about what Lester 2012 (Escape from Leviathan: EfL) says, or about what the critique presents as a sound criticism, or both. Introduction: the three problems with the critique and the philosophical problem that EfL is attempting to solve. “Abstract”: the critique’s confusion about EfL’s aprioristic theory of instrumental rationality. There are then detailed replies (too many and too diverse to summarise) to quotations from the critique’s confused interpretations and criticisms under the following headings (quoted from the critique): “2. Instrumental Rationality”; 3. Weakness of Will”; “4. Desires and Values”; “5. Free Will”; “6. Self-Interest”; “7. Maximisation”; “8. Morals”. Finally, in “9. Conclusion”, the philosophical problem for economics is briefly restated. The philosophical interpretation of homo economicus in EfL (as with its overall philosophical theory of libertarianism) has yet to be given adequate critical consideration.

Divisiveness, splintering, and the rational interpretation of text

In a historical case study, this paper explores the mechanisms by which the rational interpretation of written text can produce divisiveness and splintering. The mechanisms of division are derived from theories of organizational rationality, cultural logics, organizational memory, and group conflict. The propositions are explored in an analysis of common sense rationality with a focus on the 19th century Stone-Campbell movement. When emotions are not adequately integrated into the culture of rational interpretation, group conflict can arise. The material characteristics of written text combined with a high-diffusion, low-hierarchy, highly recorded and publicized, and proactively contentious, emotionally triggering environment creates a breeding ground for division. The analysis paints a multi-dimensional picture of division and splintering from a sociomaterial standpoint.

The Shadow of History in Inter-Organizational Cooperation for the Environment

Why do international organizations (IOs) adopt different arrangements for cooperation? Drawing on the theory of institutional context and the rational theory of international design, I argue that a prior thick institution between IOs, which involves the adjustment of organizational mandates and/or activities, facilitates a decentralized arrangement for their current cooperation by fostering mutual expectations and reducing uncertainty. If the prior institution merely assumes direct combinations of resources and expertise, a centralized arrangement is needed to reduce uncertainty regarding the counterpart IO’s cooperative motive. With archival analysis and extensive interviews with IO staff members, this argument is tested against two empirical cases of inter-organizational cooperation undertaken by the United Nations Environment Program under the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The in-depth analysis reveals how IOs cope with demands and obstacles for inter-organizational cooperation on the ground, which has been largely unexplored in the literature.

Intracerebral mechanisms explaining the impact of incidental feedback on mood state and risky choice.

Identifying factors whose fluctuations are associated with choice inconsistency is a major issue for rational decision theory. Here, we investigated the neuro-computational mechanisms through which mood fluctuations may bias human choice behavior. Intracerebral EEG data were collected in a large group of subjects (n=30) while they were performing interleaved quiz and choice tasks that were designed to examine how a series of unrelated feedbacks affect decisions between safe and risky options. Neural baseline activity preceding choice onset was confronted first to mood level, estimated by a computational model integrating the feedbacks received in the quiz task, and then to the weighting of option attributes, in a computational model predicting risk attitude in the choice task. Results showed that (1) elevated broadband gamma activity (BGA) in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsal anterior insula (daIns) was respectively signaling periods of high and low mood, (2) increased vmPFC and daIns BGA respectively promoted and tempered risk taking by overweighting gain vs. loss prospects. Thus, incidental feedbacks induce brain states that correspond to different moods and bias the evaluation of risky options. More generally, these findings might explain why people experiencing positive (or negative) outcome in some part of their life tend to expect success (or failure) in any other.

Income expectations during the lockdown: evidence from a student survey

ABSTRACT We investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ perception of future economic conditions. Our results show that students’ perception of the current situation is a strong predictor of future expectations. Moreover, students whose parents are self-employed seem to be more concerned about the future. We also detect that an increase in anxiety due to the pandemic and lockdown leads to negative expectations. We find that students seem to anticipate the long run effects of the pandemic by having increasingly pessimistic expectations about the future. This appears to be in line with both rational expectation theory, in which they consider the current situation as a signal for long-run decrease of future expectations, and at the same time, with adaptive expectation schemes anchored by their knowledge on historical pandemic situations.

Questions of the relationship between rational nutrition and quality of life in Russia

The subject of the research is the attitude of students to rational nutrition as a component of the quality of life. The purpose of this article is to identify the attitude of students to rational nutrition as a component of the quality of life in order to develop recommendations for improving its level. Methodology. Within the framework of the research conducted by the author of the article, the following theories, methods, technologies and approaches were used: qualitative analysis of the works of domestic and foreign scientists devoted to the study of the sociology of nutrition, the concept of rationality and rational choice theories, as well as concepts of post-industrial society; methods of analysis and synthesis, classification and generalization in highlighting the general and particular in determining the quality problem the lives and places of rational nutrition in the life of students; methods of sociological research such as focus group. Results. In the presented article, the authors analyzed the directions of studying rationality, nutrition and quality of life as an economic category. The article offers recommendations to improve its level in a post-industrial society. Application. The conclusions and results obtained can be proposed for further study, analysis and evaluation of the place of rational nutrition in the life of students, including representatives of educational institutions.

The heuristics theory of emotions and moderate rationalism

The heuristics theory of emotions and moderate rationalism

Gruppensolidarität zwischen Rationalität und Ritualität

Abstract Group solidarity requires that members are committed to solidarity norms. Addressing the question of how such commitments are socially (re)produced, the starting point of this article is Lindenberg's Theory of Social Rationality (TSR) and its notion of solidarity frames. These frames consist of solidarity as a goal of action and associated stocks of knowledge and moral feelings. TSR makes it clear that solidarity frames are fragile and precarious. They must be regularly recharged with motivational energy and symbols in order to prevail over compet-ing motives. However, TSR cannot satisfactorily explain how this works. This shortcoming is addressed by Collins' Interaction Ritual Chains Theory (IRCT). It is argued that solidarity frames are a potential outcome of interaction rituals and it is clarified under which conditions this can be expected. A distinction is made between three essential types of rituals: identity rituals, governance rituals, and exchange rituals.

FRAMEWORK OF ISLAMIC CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: EXPLORING THE FOUNDATION OF ISLAMIC CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION

This research paper critically evaluates the key concepts in consumer behavior such as needs, wants, consumerism, self-concept and motivation from Islamic perspective and propose Islamic framework to understand consumer buying behavior. The study uses an integrative review method to synthesize and summarizing the previous literature related to the phenomenon. The content/critical analysis of literature across multiple studies is conducted to summarize and draw the conclusion. The sources reviewed in the paper include holy verses from Quran & Hadith (prophetic narration), peer-reviewed journal articles and other online resources. Findings from content analysis reveals that process of needs and wants satisfaction in Islam is mainly governed by Islamic values, traditions, and principles contrary to rational economic theory. Consumption and satisfaction are broadly lay down on the principles and values derived from Islamic traditions (Quran and Hadith) which are up to some extent contrary to the modern conception of commoditization culture. However, Islamic consumption is meaningful and linked with greater purpose such as well-being, responsibility, moderation, and conservation of resources which equates with the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.

Strange Nonchaotic Attractors in Memristor-Based Shimizu–Morioka Oscillator

The existence of strange nonchaotic attractors (SNAs) is examined using a memristor-based Shimizu–Morioka oscillator. In particular, we analyze the birth of SNAs by varying one of the frequency of external quasi-periodic forces. The occurrence and its mechanism are further analyzed through rational approximation theory. Following that, we also perform different nonlinear dynamical characterizations, including Poincaré surface sections, singular continuous spectrum, separation of nearby trajectories, 0–1 test, as well as finite-time Lyapunov exponents for more precise validation. Finally, the experimental evidence for the occurrence of SNA is inspected through a real-time analog circuit in the laboratory.

Institutions: a promising topic insufficiently clarified

The basic question of sociology is what sets of rules and order are used in society and how they are maintained. One possible answer is based on the concept of institutions, which still provokes theoretical discussions due to, among other things, a certain ambiguity, since the term ‘institution’ is, figuratively speaking, shrouded in a kind of fog that prevents it from being captured in any direct, clear way. Today, ambitions of philosophy, political science, anthropology or mathematical game theory, which try to solve this problem outside the sociological framework, contribute to the deepening of the ambiguities surrounding the concept of institutions. Some approaches tend to define institutions as a cyber black box with inputs and outputs, whose working remains largely hidden (especially philosophical and mathematical approaches strive to find some common universal principle or even mathematical formula). From the perspective of general sociological theory, the article considers the topic of institutions. The author identifies this topic as a central issue that needs to be reconsidered in sociology. The starting point of the article is the analysis of concepts related to the topic, their definitions and paradigmatic integration. In the following part, the author considers the theoretical interpretations in the works of Peter Berger, Thomas Luckmann, John Searle, and the concepts inspired by game theories and rational behaviour theories. After that, ten basic issues of the current approaches are identified. The author pays particular attention to the fact that methodological individualism tends to dominate, which explains the ignorance of certain issues, especially of a holistic and macro-social nature, thus, leading to some problematic simplifications. The article shows what needs to be changed in the current social-scientific thinking on institutions in order to develop a more appropriate starting point for the further development of sociological theory.

Empowerment and its divergent influence over mass and alternative tourism

AbstractResident attitude research often combines heterogenous types of tourism together asking residents to evaluate support for all types of tourism rather than parsing out the intricacies associated with different types of tourism. This study deviates by applying Weber's Theory of Formal and Substantive Rationality (WTFSR) to compare the divergent effects of both economic and non‐economic factors on residents' support for two forms of tourism development: mass and alternative tourism (gaming and cultural tourism in Macao in this case). Findings suggest economic benefits and psychological empowerment lead to support for both gaming and cultural tourism development with the effect of economic benefits more prominent over support for gaming tourism, and psychological empowerment more influential over support for cultural tourism. In addition, social empowerment is only significant in predicting support for gaming tourism while political empowerment predicts neither. Findings also suggest economic benefits appear to be an antecedent to psychological, social and political empowerment.

The power of institutions on international marketing: reflections on the COVID-19 pandemic can inform international marketing activities

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic highlights the influence that nation-states can have on the engagement of international marketing activities. The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of the institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic on international marketing activities and to highlight the need to formally incorporate institutional economics into the study of international marketing phenomena.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses institutional economics as the environmental element of the general theory of competitive rationality to present a foundation for understanding how state actions influence marketing and international marketing activities. Data are presented and empirically tested, demonstrating the heterogeneity of government influence on personal and economic freedoms during the pandemic, both of which influenced international marketing activities. To broaden the implications of this work, we also provide anecdotal illustrations unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic to demonstrate the breadth of nation-state influence on international marketing activities.FindingsHeterogeneity in nation-state formal and informal institutional elements influence international marketing activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, other incidents, unrelated to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrate the importance of contextualizing international marketing activities under a holistic institutional framework.Originality/valueThe paper employs the general theory of competitive rationality along with institutional economics to provide a theoretical foundation to better understand the differential impact on international marketing as a result of formal and informal institutional influences. This general framework can be employed to provide a holistic understanding of both international and cross-national marketing activities.

New Work for a Theory of Instrumental Rationality

New Work for a Theory of Instrumental Rationality

Joe Biden Intervention in the Russian Invasion Effort Against Ukraine

The protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine since 2014 has reached an unpredictable peak of tension. The military invasion of Russia on February 24, 2022, overwhelmed Ukraine in the face of attack. Randomly bombed facilities caused thousands of civilians to lose their homes and lives. Initially, this conflict was caused by the seizure of the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. The conflict spread to the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), ending in a difficult situation to control. Primarily when the United States officially provided military assistance to Ukraine during the conflict. In explaining this article, the author will use the Infra State-War Theory, the Concept of Military Intervention, and the Rational Actor Model Theory with a qualitative approach and descriptive research methods. This study's results aim to analyze the continuation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The author will look at the evolution of the intervention of the United States in the era of Joe Biden's leadership in three phases of discussion. First, this article will elaborate on the origin of the conflict over the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. Second, it describes the interventions that have been carried out by the United States before. Third, this article will explain and analyze how the United States intervened during the leadership of Joe Biden.