Encoding and decoding aspiration information: A competitive perspective

Yan Emma Liu, Shu Jung Sunny Yang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We study the impact of competition on firms' aspiration setting and adjustment. Two related mechanisms in firm cognitive frameworks are considered in this work: making sense of (i.e. decoding) and giving sense of (i.e. encoding) aspiration information. Grounded in competitive dynamics research, a theoretical model is developed to further explore the closed-loop system of the decoding and encoding mechanisms. The simulation experiment results show that the competitive perspective completes the conventional wisdoms. The analysis derives three new managerial insights: 1) the firm with high aspirations may not decode information comprehensively, which is detrimental to its performance in competition; 2) the firm can act aggressively to diminish the dysfunction of high aspirations; and 3) the firm is able to deliberately encode public signals to manipulate rivals' understanding on competitive pressure, seducing them to take inappropriate actions in pursuit of its improved performance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOR53 Keynotes and Short Papers - 53rd Conference of the Operational Research Society 2011
Pages65-69
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Event53rd Conference of the Operational Research Society 2011, OR53 - London, United Kingdom
Duration: 6 Sept 20118 Sept 2011

Publication series

NameOR53 Keynotes and Short Papers - 53rd Conference of the Operational Research Society 2011

Conference

Conference53rd Conference of the Operational Research Society 2011, OR53
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityLondon
Period6/09/118/09/11

Keywords

  • Aspiration
  • Competitive dynamics
  • System dynamics

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