Behavioural economics Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"A Behavioral Scientist's Notable Book""A sweeping study of the rise of rigid certainty in politics, economics and literature, and the threat it presents to democracy, which requires open-mindedness and compromise."---Bill Clinton, The Guardian"“Morson and Schapiro are surely right to point out that in recent years we have… seen new fundamentalisms generate solidarity through distrust, disinformation and angry resentment. Their book reminds us that we need to aspire to create communities open to learning, to conversation and to recognizing one's own errors. That's what we want, after all, from our campuses and from our democracy.” --Michael Roth, Wall Street Journal""Their argument on the whole is compelling, and one can only hope society listens to it."---Nat Brown, National Review"Gary Saul Morson and Morton Schapiro are professors at Northwestern University in such disparate fields as Slavic languages and literatures and Economics. The book is a seamless fusion of their learning, observation, analysis, and wisdom. They are experienced collaborators and we are their beneficiaries. ... Defending politics and democracy is difficult although preferable to the alternatives. The same applies to other fields vulnerable to fundamentalism. Moderation is not easy, and thinking is strenuous. However, minds wide shut hurt more. ... Minds Wide Shut ... is solemnly and enthusiastically recommended."---Linda Quest, International Social Science Review"Minds Wide Shut issues a devastating indictment of the ideological extremism so characteristic of fundamentalism." * Chronicles *"Elegantly written, thought-provoking, and timely work, enhanced by dazzling references to literature, philosophy, theology and intellectual history. [The book] is to be recommended to all scholars, senior students and even seasoned general readers concerned by the regressive forces active across the political spectrum, forces that are antithetical to a healthy democratic society."---Karl W. Schweizer, The European Legacy

Read more less

Book SynopsisAfter the Islamic revolution in Iran, revolutionary leaders had to compromise their ideology. The Iranian ship of state continues to drift in search of an equilibrium between revolutionary convictions and the demands of governance, between religion and state, and Islam and the West.Table of ContentsMiddle East Quarterly"Not only does Menashri have complete command over the source material, but he also presents a well-organised story-and his writing is as interesting as it is clear."Middle East Quarterly"Not only does Menashri have complete command over the source material, but he also presents a well-organised story-and his writing is as interesting as clear"Middle East"a readable, well written and well-researched book that is useful for specialists and generalists alike"Journal of Islamic Studies"an excellent contribution to the study of its subject: clear, thoughtful and balanced, replete with insight into all the complexities of Iranian politics, particularly its basis in negociation and the continuing sense of the possible,as well as of the ideal

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is about the roots of managerial rationality. A theoretical base, founded on the concept of ''memetics'' is developed in order to explain human thinking and human reason as products of cultural evolution. Cultural change and development are explained by simple, value-driven memetic mechanisms like ''ritualization'' and ''extremization''.Table of ContentsPART I: TRUTH AND THE SELF-EVIDENT The Bottomless Swamp of Social Science Scientists The Wall of Self-Evidence Messages and the Feeling of Truth PART II: PRACTICAL REASON Work and Pleasure Work as Activity A Theory of Instrumental Action Rational Common Sense PART III: THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF THE TRUTH EXPERIENCE Will and Animistic Thinking Totemic Thinking Magic Thinking Compelling Reason Particular Reasoning PART IV: THE RELATIVISTIC BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING Nature and Human Reality Culture On Genetics and Memetics Imitation and Assimilation PART V: THE STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL THINKING Socio-Genetic Dimensions of Perception Memetic Dynamics The Inevitability of Extremism Production of Value Homo Garrulus PART VI: THE RELATIVISTIC PERSPECTIVE Relativistic Method The Collapse of Modernism Cartesian Anxiety

Read more less

Book SynopsisA step-by-step system for creating customers and clients for life.In a world that’s difficult for business professionals to cut through noise to create relationships with their customers, organizations that focus on converting their customers to members and helping them achieve lasting transformation rather than simply offering the transaction of the moment are winning.The Ultimate Marketing Engine teaches you how to develop a system to take every customer from where they are to where they want to be by building on the innovative principles first brought to the marketing world in Duct Tape Marketing and honed over three decades of working with thousands of businesses.In this book, you will learn: Why strategy must come before tactics. How to narrow your focus and choose only ideal customers. Why no one wants what you sell – and what they actually want. How to use story and narrativTrade Review'The Ultimate Marketing Engine will fundamentally change how you view marketing forever.' --JJ Virgin, New York Times Bestselling Author, The Virgin Diet, Founder, The Mindshare Collaborative * The Virgin Diet *'John shares a remarkable insight: What if you aligned your business around transforming your customers with an unrelenting focus on their success rather than your own?' and shy; --David Meerman Scott, bestselling author of The New Rules of Marketing and PR * The New Rules of Marketing and PR *'John unlocks the secret to rapid business growth: The customer is not king; the GROWTH of the customer is king. This book is a must-read for entrepreneurs who want to build (or re-build) their business on a foundation of predictable growth.' --Ryan Deiss, author of the Invisible Selling Machine * Invisible Selling Machine *'The best teachers and books are the ones that show you how to do it, not do the work for you. That is The Ultimate Marketing Engine.' --Kara Goldin, Founder and CEO Hint, Inc. and Author of Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and amp; Doubters * Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts & Doubters *'There is one common factor for every successful business: the word spreads. John's book is the recipe to do exactly that.' --Mike Michalowicz, author of Get Different and Profit First * Get Different *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow can governments persuade their citizens to act in socially beneficial ways? This ground-breaking book builds on the idea of 'light touch interventions' or 'nudges' proposed in Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's highly influential Nudge (2008). While recognising the power of this approach, it argues that an alternative also needs to be considered: a 'think' strategy that calls on citizens to decide their own priorities as part of a process of civic and democratic renewal. As well as setting out these divergent approaches in theory, the book provides evidence from a number of experiments to show how using 'nudge' or 'think' techniques works in practice.Updated and rewritten, this second edition features a new epilogue that reflects on recent developments in nudge theory and practice, introducing a radical version of nudge, ‘nudge plus’. There is also a substantial prologue by Cass Sunstein.Trade Review'A pathbreaking book that for the first time brings smart policy insights into contact with creative, rigorous testing. This book sets the standard for all future scientific evaluations of "what works".'Donald P. Green, Burgess Professor of Political Science, Columbia University'Nudge, nudge, think, think not only informs the reader about how nudge and think strategies can be combined, but also about what the potential benefits and drawbacks of such strategies are for a range of public behaviours.'Sander van der Linden, LSE British Politics and Policy blog -- .Table of ContentsForeword by Greg Clark, MPPrologue by Cass SunsteinIntroduction1 Nudging and thinking2 Testing3 Recycling4 Volunteering5 Voting6 Petitioning7 Giving8 Donating9 Debating10 Including11 Linking12 Summary of key findings13 Epilogue: the future of nudge and thinkIndex

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhen every member of staff embraces why guests visit and considers the alternative options they had, you unlock a powerful mindset: The Hospitality Mentality.Guest experience expert Josh Liebman’s The Hospitality Mentality is a framework that leverages a company’s greatest asset—its people—and enables all staff members, especially those on the front line, with tools to enhance the guest experience in powerful ways, creating a strong desire to return and share their experience with others.Business leaders will gain inspiration to take their service standard to the next level, knowing that this is an area that cannot plateau. Readers will be motivated to go above and beyond guests’ expectations through creating hyper-personalized experiences, amplifying enthusiasm, anticipating needs, and crafting superior “wow” moments that solidify memories that take satisfaction to the next level. By maximizing the benefit of guest feedback and directly addressing complaints, service providers can strengthen their relationship with their guests, ultimately leading to business/brand loyalty.The impact of The Hospitality Mentality is more than a warm, fuzzy feeling—it will drive a business forward.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis“Probst’s combination of agile writing and insightful observations makes most other books on modern branding look both overly circumspect and woefully incomplete … A fascinating—and surprisingly fun—wide-angle look at advertising.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Brands can no longer force-feed us a plethora of products we don’t need. To succeed, brands must transform us and the world we live in. Assemblage guides you through the art and science of creating transformative brands by combining personal, social, and cultural components. Assemblage will show you Why perception is the truth and how to shape people’s perceptions Why we relate to antiheroes, villains, and saviors How brands can reassure consumers about their past, present, and future How to leverage data and insights to deliver a personalized, human-centric consumer experience How brands can make a positive impact on people, society, and the economy Assemblage is supported by in-depth research in consumer psychology, extensive consumer insights, interviews with industry-leading marketers, and case studies of transformative brands, big and small.Trade Review“Assemblage blends academic research with practical insights that marketers can immediately put to good use. It’s a clear, concise, and actionable book.”—NIR EYAL, Author of Hooked and Indistractable“Want to create a transformative brand? Assemblage shows you how, illustrating how brands can do good for both consumers and society.”—JONAH BERGER, Wharton Professor and Bestselling Author of Contagious and The Catalyst“As Jeremy Bullmore famously said, ‘People build brands the way birds build nests—from the scraps and straws they find lying around.’ Using the model of assemblage, the art of blending fine cognacs, Emmanuel Probst provides us with a much more helpful and versatile mental model for the way brands are built in practice. It is also an approach which rings true with what we are increasingly learning about human perception and behavior.”—RORY SUTHERLAND, Vice Chairman at Ogilvy UK“The only way to find brand success and growth is to reframe perceptions and decisions. Probst provides routes to doing just that. A real contribution.”—DAVID AAKER, Vice Chairman at Prophet, Brand Strategist, and Author of Building Strong Brands“Assemblage offers a holistic understanding of brands and perceptions—it is a must-read.”—MARTIN LINDSTROM, New York Times Bestselling Author of Buyology and The Ministry of Common Sense“Assemblage is the book I have been waiting for. Its standpoint on the marketing industry is disruptive. Its learnings are pragmatic.”—SCOTT MCDONALD, President and CEO of the Advertising Research Foundation“Assemblage shows the transformation power of brands for both consumers and society. It’s simply a must-read.”—NEIL HOYNE, Chief Measurement Strategist at Google, Senior Fellow at Wharton, and Author of Converted“Marketers and brands now have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to consumers and society. Assemblage is your ultimate guide for this new brand era.”—JEFF ROSENBLUM, Founding Partner at Questus and Author of Friction and Exponential“In an age of cynicism, where brands struggle to build trust and connection, Emmanuel Probst provides a roadmap. If you want to transform your brand so that it might transform consumers and society, you must read Assemblage.”—LAURA GASSNER OTTING, Washington Post Bestselling Author of Limitless“Assemblage uses psychology, art, culture, and real-life examples to examine how brands can approach marketing to make a powerful and positive impact on the world. I highly recommend it for marketing professionals and consumers alike.”—SHONALI BURKE, Chief Marketing Officer at Arena Stage

Read more less

Book SynopsisFew crises in modern history have so completely disrupted every aspect of daily life as has the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a small medical ripple in Wuhan, China, a city many of us had never heard of, quickly erupted into a tsunami of epic proportions. Every market, industry, vertical, profession, service, and category of product was in some way rocked by its impact. And, for the first time in recorded history, every wheel, cog and gear in the global retail industry ground to a virtual halt. From two-time, international best-selling author and futurist Doug Stephens, Resurrecting Retail is not just a riveting story of the unprecedented crash of an industry during this time of crisis but a roadmap for its rebirth. Meticulously researched in real time from inside the crisis, Resurrecting Retail provides a comprehensive and surprising vision of how COVID-19 will reshape every aspect of consumer life, including the very essence of why we shop. Above all, Resurrecting Retail provides an inspirational and actionable future vision for any business leader looking not only to survive but to thrive in a very different looking post-pandemic retail world.Trade Review"Prophetic, inspiring and entertaining. Paints a clear picture of the post COVID world we are entering and how retailers must adapt to thrive.”—Ian McMilan, Global Retail Marketing Lead, Nike “A vivid and meticulously researched picture of the post-COVID landscape and a strategic roadmap for retailers across all categories.”—Christina Fontana, Head of Fashion and Luxury for Tmall, US and Europe “Clears the fog around a post-pandemic retail landscape, and shines a spotlight on resilient retailers who will find a way to thrive within it.”—Harley Finkelstein, president, Shopify “Presents retailers and landlords with a comprehensive view into the future of our industry, offering practical advice about how we can not just survive, but thrive in a post-pandemic world.”—Mark C. Toro, Chairman, North American Properties "In a time of massive upheaval in retail, Doug Stephens not only astutely identifies the core issues retailers now face, but provides a set of answers, directions, and key retail archetypes from which to learn. If you want to resurrect your retailing for a new era, then pay attention to his conclusion: 'Every company is an experience company.'”—B. Joseph Pine II, co-author of The Experience Economy: Competing for Customer Time, Attention, and Money

Read more less

Book Synopsis This book provides unique information to prepare graduates and newly hired corporate and investment banking professionals for a career in the global markets environment of large universal and international investment banks. It shows the interrelationship between the three specific business functions of sales, trading, and research, as well as the interaction with corporate and institutional clients. The book fills a gap in the available literature by linking financial market theory to the practical aspects of day-to-day operations on a trading floor and offers a taxonomy of the current banking business, providing an in-depth analysis of the main market participants in the global markets ecosystem. Engaging the reader with case studies, anecdotes, and industry color, the book addresses the risks and opportunities of the global markets business in today’s global financial markets both from a theoretical and from a practitioner’s perspective and focuses on the most important fixed-income financial instruments from a pricing, risk-management, and client-marketing perspective.Table of Contents1. Introduction.- 2. A Taxonomy of the Banking Business.- 3. Fundamentals of the Banking Business.- 4. Sales.- 5. Trading.- 6. Research.- 7. Derivatives.- 8. Exercises.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis Second Edition updates the companion workbook to match the new edition of the textbook Principles of Microeconomics. Each chapter features a wide variety of exercises, ranging from basic multiple-choice questions to challenging mathematical problems and case study scenarios. The textbook pursues an integrative approach to modern microeconomics by critically reflecting on the main findings of economics from a philosophical standpoint and comparing them to approaches found in the social sciences. It adopts an institutional perspective to analyze the potential and limitations of different market types, and highlights implications for the design of the legal system and business practices throughout. In addition to traditional rational-choice models, important findings from behavioral economics and psychology are also presented.Table of ContentsFirst Principles.- Gains from Trade.- Markets and Institutions - Introduction.- Supply and Demand.- Normative Economics.- Externalities.- Decisions and Consumber Behavior.- Costs.- A Second Look.- Firm Behavior in Monopolistic Markets.- Principles of Game Theories.- Firm Behavior in Oligopolistic Markets.- Elasticity.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis award-winning book comprises multiple finance and ethics case studies. The purpose of the book is twofold. First, the case studies teach readers how to evaluate and determine resolutions to ethical issues in finance. Second, the reader will enjoy a journey with the author, a woman, over her years working in finance, through the use of case studies.Prefaced by the additional of video introductions, these studies focus on ethical issues in finance which the author encountered over nearly a 30-year career in the industry. There are 10 case studies extracted from different sectors of finance. This broad range is a consequence of the author’s experience from almost all sides of the business: the buy side, the sell side, equity research in Asia, equity sales, mutual funds, hedge funds, the finance academy, and consulting.Each case study has an engaging narrative describing the background, transactions, players, and ethical issues. The ethical issue is analyzed and resolved using the appropriate theories of moral philosophy. Descriptions and analyses are rigorous yet comprehensible, approachable, and entertaining.Apart from ethics determinations, the material in the book covers and explains a variety of specific, and even complex, financial transactions. In every transaction there is an explanation of the roles of various players involved. In this way, readers will learn about the work of people in different positions in finance from investment bankers and equity traders to portfolio managers and equity analysts. Through these case studies, readers also will get an understanding of major financial transactions and activities such as IPOs, secondary offerings, equity trading, and equity valuations. The book will appeal to practitioners, college and high school students, and lecturers who can use it to supplement courses in finance or business ethics. Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1 Plantation Adventure Case Study1.1 Chapter 1 The Story: A Reverie of Somerset Maugham1.2 Chapter 1 Ethics Issue: Honesty in Equity Research1.3 Chapter 1 Ethics Analysis: Honesty and Integrity are Virtues1.4 Chapter 1 Right Action: Write it as You See itChapter 2 Bangkok Misadventure Case Study 2.1 Chapter 2 The Story: A Sordid Request – to Do or Not to Do? 2.2 Chapter 2 Ethics Issue: Friedman and Free Markets 2.3 Chapter 2 Ethics Analysis: Free Markets, Market Failures and Values 2.4 Chapter 2 Right Action: Values in Finance Chapter 3 Hong Kong Hike Case Study 3.1 Chapter 3 The Story: The Pressure to Perform 3.2 Chapter 3 Ethics Issue: Cheating Our Way Up 3.3 Chapter 3 Ethics Analysis: What Would Kant Say? 3.4 Chapter 3 Right Action: Keep Calm and Carry on Ethically Chapter 4 Mutual Fund Fun Case Study 4.1 Chapter 4 The Story: Quick Money at Others’ Expense 4.2 Chapter 4 Ethics Issues: Duty and Fairness 4.3 Chapter 4 Ethics Analysis: What Would Socrates Do? 4.4 Chapter 4 Right Action: Engage in Transparency and Fairness Chapter 5 High Finance Gender Inequity Case Study 5.1 Chapter 5 The Story: An Inner Sanctum for Men Only 5.2 Chapter 5 Ethics Issue: Gender Exclusion, Gender Discrimination 5.3 Chapter 5 Ethics Analysis: All Theories Say Gender Discrimination is Wrong 5.4 Chapter 5 Right Action: Stand Up for Women’s Rights Chapter 6 Hedge Fund Edge Case Study 6.1 Chapter 6 The Story: Pushing the Edge to Get an Edge 6.2 Chapter 6 Ethics Issue: Insider Information 6.3 Chapter 6 Ethics Analysis: Why Insider Trading is Unethical 6.4 Chapter 6 Right Action: Don’t Be Seduced by the Money Chapter 7 Hedge Fund Harassment Case Study 7.1 Chapter 7 The Story: Hedge Fund Boss Behaving Badly 7.2 Chapter 7 Ethics Issue: Maltreatment of Employees 7.3 Chapter 7 Ethics Analysis: It’s About Human Dignity 7.4 Chapter 7 Right Action: Your Money or Your Life Chapter 8 Whistleblowing Consultant Case Study 8.1 Chapter 8 The Story: Whistleblowing or No Good Deed Goes Unpunished 8.2 Chapter 8 Ethics Issue: Whistleblowing 8.3 Chapter 8 Ethics Analysis: To Whistleblow or Not, that is the Question 8.4 Chapter 8 Right Action: Consider Options Rationally, Then if you Can or Must, Whistleblow Chapter 9 Finance Academy Gender Inequity Case Study 9.1 Chapter 9 The Story: Gender Discrimination in the Finance Academy 9.2 Chapter 9 Ethics Issue: Systemic Gender Discrimination, Implicit Bias 9.3 Chapter 9 Ethics Analysis: Fair Treatment and Rights 9.4 Chapter 9 Right Action: Speak Up and Garner Support Chapter 10 Finance Academy Ideological Bias Case Study 10.1 Chapter 10 The Story: Fear of Allowing Different Perspectives 10.2 Chapter 10 Ethics Issue: Exclusion Based on Ideology 10.3 Chapter 10 Ethics Analysis: Making Finance Theories Better 10.4 Chapter 10 Right Action: Allow Other Ideas, Improve Finance Theory

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Art of Behavioral Economics.- A short history of utility.- Utility in behavioral economics.- The methods of behavioral economics part 1: Experiments, field studies, and international comparisons.- The methods of behavioral economics part 2: Neuroeconomics, genoeconomics, and new statistics.- Reference-dependence, loss aversion, and endowment effect.- Probability judgment.- Bayesian updating.- Decision under risk.- Ambiguity.- Time preference.- Behavioral economics and policy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy economic theory with no track-record of predictive success is still an indispensable tool for protecting civilized life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisBestselling author Cass R. Sunstein reveals the appeal and the danger of conformity We live in an era of tribalism, polarization, and intense social divisionseparating people along lines of religion, political conviction, race, ethnicity, and sometimes gender. How did this happen? In Conformity, Cass R. Sunstein argues that the key to making sense of living in this fractured world lies in understanding the idea of conformitywhat it is and how it worksas well as the countervailing force of dissent. An understanding of conformity sheds new light on many issues confronting us today: the role of social media, the rise of fake news, the growth of authoritarianism, the success of Donald Trump, the functions of free speech, debates over immigration and the Supreme Court, and much more. Lacking information of our own and seeking the good opinion of others, we often follow the crowd, but Sunstein shows that when individuals suppress their own instincts about what is Trade ReviewSunstein unearths fascinating and surprising revelations ... Perhaps the most profound insight from Sunstein’s book is the realization that conformity is working on us pretty much all the time. We think we choose what movies to watch, what books to read, or even what political tribe to claim—but our ability to form our own opinion on anything is greatly influenced by imperceptible forces nudging us towards consensus. That’s not always a bad thing. But, as Sunstein himself writes, ‘For all the good conformity does, it can also crush what is most precious and most vital in the human soul.’ * GQ *Points out the positive benefits of conformity while also exploring how following the crowd can easily take individuals down paths of extreme thinking. Drawing on scientific studies, Sunstein discusses the corrective effects of dissent for the common good and not simply out of contrarianism. Eminently relevant, Sunstein's clarifying discussion is a must-read. * Booklist *Sunstein masterfully synthesizes decades of research into a coherent narrative and provides actionable ideas that can be used by a wide range of organizations. The book is another one of Sunstein’s that I expect to see in the hands of academics, policymakers, and businesspeople alike in the airport or local coffee shop. * Political Science Quarterly *An investigation of the underpinnings of conformity, cascades, and group polarization could not be more timely. Cass Sunstein once again brings the latest social science to bear on a knotty legal and political problem, helping us see, with his customary lucidity, how we can design institutions to counter the foibles of our own psychology. -- Anne-Marie Slaughter,CEO, New AmericaCass Sunstein, one of the most original minds of our era, offers a powerful critique of conformity and the dangerous consequences of blind, like-minded thinking. From politics to law, Sunstein urges readers to see the value of institutions that reward a diversity of views so that we can reach the wisest and best decisions. At a moment when the country is watching the damaging impact of tribalism in our polity, this a much needed work that offers a fascinating, analytical explanation of what keeps us from thinking outside the box. -- Julian Zelizer,Princeton University and co-author of Fault Lines: History of the United States Since 1974If you are alarmed, as many of us are, by the radical polarization of our political life, Cass Sunstein's new book will explain to you why it is happening and why the checks and balances built into our institutions constitute a barrier to the realization of our worst fears. Readers of Conformity will come away greatly informed, chastened in their idealism, but nevertheless optimistic about the survival of those same ideals. -- Stanley Fish,Professor of Law at Florida International University and Visiting Professor at Cardozo Law SchoolConformity is indeed as old as mankind itself. But the best book ever on conformity starts right here. And who better to write it than the arch non-conformist Cass Sunstein? -- Tyler Cowen,Professor of Economics, George Mason UniversityThis book stands out from Sunstein’s other books in its focus on the broad societal implications of social influence. Sunstein grounds his argument in the principles underlying American democracy, and in doing so, he makes it difficult not to become depressed at how distant our current state of affairs seems from that ideal. However, Sunstein offers optimism in the form of a framework for actionable solutions. * Political Science Quarterly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHousehold Finance: An Introduction to Individual Financial Behavior speaks to both how people should and how people actually do make financial decisions, and how these financial decisions contribute to and detract from their well-being. Households must plan over long but finite horizons, have important nontraded assets, notably human capital; hold illiquid assets, particularly housing; face constraints on the ability to borrow; and are subject to complex taxation. Some households manage these goals and challenges independently, while still others delegate portfolio management. Household financial problems have many special features that differ from firms, investors, or the functioning of markets.Author Richard Deaves covers the broad range of choices and goals in household finance both in the normative sense (i.e., what is best) based on conventional financial theory and in the positive sense (i.e., what is actually done) based on observing actual behavior. While modern finance builds

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe social sciences often fail to examine in any systematic way the nature of their subject matter. Demonstrating that this is a central explanation of the widely acknowledged failings of the social sciences, not least of modern economics, this book sets about rectifying matters. Providing an account of the nature of social material in general, as well as of the specific natures of central components of the modern world, such as money and the corporation, Lawson also considers the implications of this theory regarding possibilities for social change. Readers will gain an understanding of how social phenomena, from tables and chairs, to money and firms, and nurses and Presidents are constituted. Fundamental to Lawsonâs conception is a theory of community-based social positioning, whereby people and things within a community become constituted as components of emergent totalities, with actions governed by the rights and obligations of relevant members of the community. This theory isolates a set of basic principles that will offer the reader an understanding of the natures of all social phenomena. The Nature of Social Reality is for all those, academics and non-academics alike, who wish to gain a grasp on the nature of social phenomena that goes beyond the superficial.Trade Review"If modern economics and philosophy are largely neglectful of ontology, they are especially so of social ontology. Tony Lawson’s impressive body of work is an exception to this, as is this strongly recommended book." John B. Davis, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Marquette University and University of Amsterdam"Society needs innovative, critical thinking which enlightens on the complex and evolving nature of social reality, not least its economic aspects. Tony Lawson's latest contribution on this is a must-read." Sheila Dow, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Stirling"As is universally, and rightly, recognised Tony Lawson is the leading scholar questioning the (social) ontology of economics. In this compelling volume, he takes a number of important steps forward, drawing on the more constructive aspects of his work in theorising such topics as money, the modern corporation, and alternative futures." Ben Fine, Professor of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London"The Nature of Social Reality is the book that we have all been waiting for: a rigorous philosophical account of social reality, written by a scholar with impeccable credentials as an economist and social theorist. In an intellectual environment in which philosophers are becoming increasingly interested in the nature of social phenomena (and contemporary social scientists have growing cause to examine their implicit philosophical commitments), Tony Lawson has delivered an invaluable resource at the perfect moment." Ruth Groff, Political Science, Saint Louis University "When one thinks of Cambridge social ontology, one thinks of Tony Lawson, long the leader of that important current. It is very welcome therefore to have this collection of essays. Those unfamiliar with Lawson’s work will encounter one of the most forceful and influential statements on the nature of social reality to emanate from modern economics. Those already familiar will find their understanding deepened." Doug Porpora, Professor of Sociology, Drexel University"In this splendid book, the philosopher-economist Professor Tony Lawson makes a powerful case for placing economics, and indeed all social theorising, on proper ontological foundations. An essential read for all social scientists." Lord Robert Skidelsky, Emeritus Professor of Political Economy, Warwick University*Winner of the 2020 Cheryl Frank Memorial Prize*"If modern economics and philosophy are largely neglectful of ontology, they are especially so of social ontology. Tony Lawson’s impressive body of work is an exception to this, as is this strongly recommended book." John B. Davis, Professor Emeritus of Economics, Marquette University and University of Amsterdam"Society needs innovative, critical thinking which enlightens on the complex and evolving nature of social reality, not least its economic aspects. Tony Lawson's latest contribution on this is a must-read." Sheila Dow, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Stirling"As is universally, and rightly, recognised Tony Lawson is the leading scholar questioning the (social) ontology of economics. In this compelling volume, he takes a number of important steps forward, drawing on the more constructive aspects of his work in theorising such topics as money, the modern corporation, and alternative futures." Ben Fine, Professor of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London"The Nature of Social Reality is the book that we have all been waiting for: a rigorous philosophical account of social reality, written by a scholar with impeccable credentials as an economist and social theorist. In an intellectual environment in which philosophers are becoming increasingly interested in the nature of social phenomena (and contemporary social scientists have growing cause to examine their implicit philosophical commitments), Tony Lawson has delivered an invaluable resource at the perfect moment." Ruth Groff, Political Science, Saint Louis University "When one thinks of Cambridge social ontology, one thinks of Tony Lawson, long the leader of that important current. It is very welcome therefore to have this collection of essays. Those unfamiliar with Lawson’s work will encounter one of the most forceful and influential statements on the nature of social reality to emanate from modern economics. Those already familiar will find their understanding deepened." Doug Porpora, Professor of Sociology, Drexel University"In this splendid book, the philosopher-economist Professor Tony Lawson makes a powerful case for placing economics, and indeed all social theorising, on proper ontological foundations. An essential read for all social scientists." Lord Robert Skidelsky, Emeritus Professor of Political Economy, Warwick UniversityTable of ContentsPreface and acknowledgements. Part 1: Setting the context. 1. Why social ontology?. Part 2: A general conception. 2. Ontology and the study of social reality: emergence, organisation, community, power, social relations, corporations, artefacts and money. Part 3: Topics in scientific ontology. 3. The nature of the firm and peculiarities of the corporation. 4. The modern corporation: the site of a mechanism (of global social change) that is out-of-control?. 5. A theory of money. 6. The positioning and credit theories of money compared. Part 4: The nature and dynamics of processes of emergence, reproduction and transformation. 7. Emergence, morphogenesis, causal reduction and downward causation. 8. Collective practices and norms. Part 5: Consequences for projects of human emancipation. 9. Possibilities for emancipatory social change. Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book is unique among modern contributions to behavioral economics in presenting a grand synthesis between the kind of behavioral economics popularized by Richard Thaler, earlier approaches such as those of the 1978 Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon, evolutionary psychology, and evolutionary economics from Veblen and Marshall through to neo-Schumpeterian thinking. The synthesis employs a complex adaptive systems approach to how people think, the lifestyles they build, and how new production technologies and products are gradually adopted and produce changes. Using a huge range of examples, it takes behavioral economics from its recent focus on ''nudging'' consumers, to the behavior of firms and other organizations, the challenges of achieving structural change and transitioning to environmentally sustainable lifestyles, and instability of the financial system. This book will be of great interest to academics and graduate students who seek a broader view of what behavioral economics is and what it might become.Trade Review'Peter Earl has produced a magnificent volume. In it he overcomes a number of challenges. He offers a new visionary overview of the field of behavioural economics. He carefully and lucidly negotiates the different approaches in this area, offering some important and original critical insights. The readable and fluid style extends its appeal to a wider audience, including to scholars, young and old, in economics, business and management. This is a landmark contribution to behavioural economics and related fields.' Geoff Hodgson, Loughborough University'Behavioral economics has a rich history and thanks to the book by Peter Earl it has the potential for an even richer future. Whereas Old Behavioral Economics (OBE) shared a dissatisfaction with mainstream economics, New Behavioral Economics (NBE) sought to position itself squarely within the mainstream. This book creatively blends these approaches with a strong evolutionary emphasis. As a result, it lays the foundation for a broad range of research opportunities. Earl deserves great appreciation for this.' Esther-Mirjam Sent, Radboud UniversityTable of Contents1. What is behavioral economics?; 2. What motivates us?; 3. Why is life so full of problems for us to try to solve?; 4. How do we acknowledge problems and assess our options?; 5. How do we deal with uncertainty and ambiguity?; 6. How do we search for solutions to problems?; 7. Why do some things matter more than others?; 8. How do we choose?; 9. How can firms and governments influence our choices?; 10. What determines the productivity of an organization?; 11. How does the competitive process work?; 12. Are there any behavioral insights for macroeconomists?; 13. Can we be happy without destroying the environment?

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive introduction and overview of research in Routine Dynamics. It will appeal to graduate students and scholars in organisation and management studies, especially those researching organisational routines, dynamic capabilities, micro-foundations, strategy as practice and the behavioural theory of the firm.Trade Review'This important handbook lays the ground work for the systematic examination of routines in action across a wide range of organizational conditions, concerns, and consequences. In our unsettled times when so much is on the move, this timely compendium provides an extensive set of conceptual tools and rich array of applications for exploring the workings and entailments of routine dynamics. It will serve as an invaluable resource for scholars interested in practice-based investigations of contemporary organizational routines.' Wanda J. Orlikowski, Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Information Technologies & Organization Studies, MIT Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology'The notion of routines as dynamic generative systems developed by the editors and contributors to this volume over the last 20 years has enriched our theorizing of routines as a central feature of organizing, stimulated methodological innovation, and raised novel research questions with important practical implications. This Handbook is a fabulous resource that pulls together these developments and lays out a rich and diverse agenda for future work.' Ann Langley, Honorary Professor of Management, HEC Montreal'The study of routines has significantly increased in the past two decades, and is now a central perspective within the organization theory community for exploring organizational change and stability. This Handbook provides a super introduction to, and overview of, this growing literature. It connects Routine Dynamics to multiple theoretical perspectives, and in doing so reveals how its language and methodological approaches generate new ways of seeing and digging into important organizational and social issues – such as 'social injustice, fraud and organized crime'. This Handbook should become a 'must read' for organization and management scholars.' Royston Greenwood, Professorial Emeritus, School of Business, University of Alberta and Professorial Fellow, University of Edinburgh Business School'Routines, and how they change, are central to organizations. The editors have responded by engaging a fabulous array of theoretical perspectives - from agent-modelling to practice theory, from actor-network theory to path dependency. Organization Theorists of all stripes will want to grapple with the fundamental research challenges posed by this inspiring volume.' Richard Whittington, Professor of Strategic Management, Saïd Business School, Oxford UniversityTable of Contents1. What is routine dynamics Luciana D'Adderio, Katharina Dittrich, Martha S. Feldman, Brian T. Pentland, Claus Rerup and David Seidl; Part I. Theoretical Resources for Research Dynamics Research: 2. Practice theory and routine dynamics Martha S. Feldman; 3. Process theorizing and routine dynamics Haridimos Tsoukas; 4. Ethnomethodology and routine dynamics Juan López-Cotarelo; 5. Pragmatism and routine dynamics Dionysios D. Dionysiou; 6. Actor-network theory and routine dynamics Kathrin Sele; 7. Materiality and routine dynamics Luciana D'Adderio; Part II. Methodological Issues in Research Dynamics Research: 8. Ethnography and routine dynamics Katharina Dittrich; 9. Video methods and routine dynamics Curtis LeBaron and Marlys K. Christianson; 10. Field experiments in routine dynamics Hari Bapuji, Manpreet Hora and Huashan Li; 11. Agent-based modeling in routine dynamics Dehua Gao; 12. Sequence analysis in routine dynamics Christian A. Mahringer and Brian T. Pentland; 13. Narrative networks in routine dynamics Brian T. Pentland and Inkyu Kim; 14. Bakhtin's chronotope and routine dynamics Simon Addyman; Part III. Themes in Routine Dynamics Research: 15. Truces and routine dynamics Luciana D'Adderio and Mehdi Safavi; 16. Context, embeddedness and routine dynamics Jennifer Howard-Grenville and Jan Lodge; 17. Routine interdependence: intersections, clusters, ecologies and bundles Rodrigo A. Rosa, Waldemar Kremser and Sergio Bulgacov; 18. Cognition in routine dynamics Nathalie Lazaric; 19. Time, temporality and history in routine dynamics Scott F. Turner and Violina P. Rindova; 20. Transfer and replication in routine dynamics Charlotte Blanche and Patrick Cohendet; 21. Innovation work and routine dynamics Fleur Deken and Kathrin Sele; 22. Design and routine dynamics Frithjof E. Wegener and Vern L. Glaser; 23. Algorithms and routine dynamics Vern L. Glaser, Rodrigo Valadao and Timothy R. Hannigan; 24. Complexity in routine dynamics Thorvald Hærem, Yooeun Jeong and Mathias Hansson; 25. Bodies and routine dynamics Charlotte Blanche and Martha S. Feldman; 26. Emotion and routine dynamics Giada Baldessarelli; 27. Professional identity and routine dynamics Emre Karali; 28. Occupations, professions and routine dynamics Joanna Kho and Paul Spee; 29. Management practice and routine dynamics Simon Grand; 30. Project-based and temporary organizing and routine dynamics Eugenia Cacciatori and Andrea Prencipe; 31. Self-managed forms of organizing and routine dynamics Waldemar Kremser and Jun Xiao; 32. Unexpected events and routine dynamics Daniel Geiger and Anja Danner-Schröder; Part IV. Related Communities of Thought: 33. Carnegie school experiential learning and routine dynamics Claus Rerup and Bryan Spencer; 34. Dynamic capabilities and routine dynamics Carlo Salvato; 35. Strategy as practice and routine dynamics David Seidl, Benjamin Grossmann-Hensel and Paula Jarzabkowski; 36. Path dependence and routine dynamics Jörg Sydow; 37. Business process management and routine dynamics Bastian Wurm, Thomas Grisold, Jan Mendling and Jan vom Brocke; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn this book Manfred Kets de Vries, one of the world's leading authorities on the psychology of leadership, and a pioneering practitioner in the field of psychodynamic executive coaching, draws on the format of traditional fairy tales and tells us five stories that dramatize five key themes of dysfunctional leadership.Trade Review'This book is the distillation of the life experiences of an internationally renowned guru of management and leadership studies. Combining insight with his signature wit, Kets de Vries cuts to the bone as he reflects on and gently guides executives, and others, through some of the core issues that bedevil our lives. A book that will linger in memory, creating ever-widening ripples, long after the ephemeral offerings of the usual management literature have disappeared.' - Dr. Sudhir Kakar, Psychoanalyst, Anthropologist, Novelist and one of the major thinkers of the world 'The art of understanding oneself is crucial to understanding others. Professor Manfred Kets de Vries' insight into our motivations and levels of emotional intelligence exposes the hidden fact that lies at the heart of business behaviour; namely that we are all human.' - The Viscount Rothermere, Chairman DMGT 'This book made me laugh, it made me feel uncomfortable sometimes, but I learned a lot. It makes the reader think about how much s/he can do - good and bad - to her/himself and to others in family, business and social life. With his free and easy style Kets de Vries lines up the latest findings of human science and gives examples of the highs and lows of real human life reminding us that we are in the driving seat. Seize the opportunity.' - Janos Csak, Economist, Sociologist, Chairman, Constellation Energy Institute

Read more less

Book SynopsisOnce called the “dismal science,” economics now offers prescriptions for improving people’s happiness. In this book Richard Easterlin, the “father of happiness economics,” draws on a half-century of his own research and that conducted by fellow economists and psychologists to answer in plain language questions like: Can happiness be measured? Will more money make me happier? What about finding a partner? Getting married? Having a baby? More exercise? Does religion help? Who is happier—women or men, young or old, rich or poor? How does happiness change as we go through different stages of life? Public policy is also in the mix: Can the government increase people’s happiness? Should the government increase their happiness? Which countries are the happiest and why? Does a country need to be rich to be happy? Does economic growth improve the human lot? Some of the answers are surprising (no, more money won’t do the trick; neither will economic growth; babies are a mixed blessing!), but they are all based on reason and well-vetted evidence from the fields of economics and psychology. In closing, Easterlin traces the genesis of the ongoing “Happiness Revolution” and considers its implications for people’s lives down the road.Trade Review“The book is primarily aimed at undergraduate students in the social sciences who might be taking a first course on happiness economics. … Indeed, and more generally, the book has an informal feel. … the book is both a great personal summary of Easterlin’s accumulated experience of working with subjective wellbeing data and an important rallying call for the social sciences to generate new lessons with which to increase wellbeing across the globe.” (Caspar Kaiser, Journal of Happiness Studies, Vol. 23, 2022)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness reveals the results of happiness studies in clear and concise chapters which are structured as if they are a college lecture. … The students are also a tool that reveals the intended audience for the book—it is written for the popular audience rather than the expert reader. … He suggests that we live in a time in which well-being is being better articulated, understood, and prioritized than ever before.” (Robert Biswas‑Diener, Journal of Happiness Studies, April 1, 2022)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness is a captivating and enlightening journey through many different facets of happiness. … The concepts are well explained and easy to apply. … This book provides a satisfying, holistic perspective on the many factors contributing to happiness in an educational and personable read. This is a great opportunity to assess whether we are living a life that is true to ourselves, and to identify areas for change and improvement.” (Tara Dean, The Psychologist, thepsychologist.bps.org.uk, Vol. 34, July, 2021)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness: Farewell, Dismal Science! … is the fruit of a lifetime of his own research and that of fellow economists and psychologists dedicated to understanding and improving happiness — whether of individuals or nations.” (Susan Bell, dornsife.usc.edu, March 17, 2021)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Part I: First Lessons.- Measuring Happiness.- Does Money Make People Happy?.- How Does Health Affect Happiness?.- Family Life and Happiness.- How Can I Increase My Happiness?.- Part II: Next Lessons.- Can Government Increase My Happiness: Transition Countries.- Can Government Increase My Happiness: Nordic Countries.- Happiness or GDP?.- Part III: Q & A.- Who Is Happier—Young or Old? Women or Men?.- More on Money and Happiness.- What About Democracy, Religion, Charity, Volunteering, Etc.?.- Who to Believe? Psychology or Economics?.- Critiquing the Paradox.- Part IV: History Lessons.- Dawn of the Happiness Revolution.- Dream on, Professor!.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book presents an edited collection of chapters from academic and industry expert contributors focusing on the directions of blockchain cryptocurrency from leading authorities in their field providing the cutting-edge and timely insights in the world of cryptocurrency behaviour. Whether you are a researcher, a portfolio manager, financial adviser, or nvesting novice, this book will provide you with thought provoking perceptions and insights. It will bring you fully up to date on the consumer issues, trends, and challenges in the world of blockchain crypto behaviour equipping you to understand and meet current challenges to come. Advances in Blockchain Research and Cryptocurrency Behaviour provides an interesting and thought-provoking insight into blockchain and cryptocurrency behaviours and is fi lled with new insights into: Consumer adoption and behaviour; digital currency innovations; blockchain technology and governance; sustainability and environmental impact; branding and res

Read more less

Book SynopsisAs a leader in your organization, you will be very familiar with your organization’s key financial statements and monthly management reports. You may have spent countless hours discussing budgets and expenditures. But how much time have you spent reflecting on the fact that these revenues are generated by actual customers—the people who pull out their wallets and pay for your products and services? In The Customer-Base Audit: The First Step on the Journey to Customer Centricity, experts Peter Fader, Bruce Hardie, and Michael Ross start you on the path toward really getting to understand your customers’ buying behavior as well as the health of your overall customer base. A customer-base audit is a systematic review of the buying behavior of a firm’s customers using data captured by its transaction systems. It will help you answer questions such as: -- How healthy is your customer base? How realistic are your growth objectives? -- How do your customers differ in terms of their behavior and value? -- How has the quality of your customers changed over time? -- What changes in customer behavior lie behind period-to-period changes in firm performance? -- What is important to your high-value customers? Which products help you acquire and retain your best customers? Fader, Hardie, and Ross present five “lenses” through which an executive can address questions like those above. The answers are often lurking in various parts of the organization, but it is rare to find all the relevant analyses in one place, let alone performed on a regular basis (as an audit should be). Yet without such a basic, systematic understanding of the foundations of the firm’s primary source of cash flow, how can executives make informed decisions? Fader, a Wharton professor, is the author of Customer Centricity and coauthor of The Customer Centricity Playbook, both of which have helped businesses radically rethink how they relate to customers. In this first step of the journey, Fader, Hardie, and Ross assist leaders in gaining a fundamental understanding of their customers’ buying behavior—and thus their company as a whole.Trade Review"The Customer-Base Audit brings a long-overdue customer focused structure and discipline to the practice of business decision-making. Fader, Hardie and Ross take away the mystery and uncertainty associated with customer analytics, replacing it with a comprehensive approach that no company should ignore." * Rob Markey, Partner, Bain & Company, Inc., and coauthor, The Ultimate Question 2.0 *"The Customer-Base Audit brings clarity and rigor to the analysis of what is the most fundamental unit of analysis: the customer. The truth is that most executives don't understand their customers as well as they should, and this book provides them with the frameworks they need to gain insight and to guide their strategic decisions. It also equips investors with the right questions to ask managers. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand customers and how they create value." * Michael J. Mauboussin, Head of Consilient Research at Counterpoint Global, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and Author, The Success Equation *"I once believed that product and brand alone were the answer to business growth, but learnt to appreciate the need to interrogate the business sales line through the lens of the customer. Customer behaviour must be understood at the most granular level to make a company truly customer focused; then combined with data based planning and decision making for the best possible outcomes. I now find myself passionate about the power of adding a data driven customer-centric lens to everything we do." * Sarah Welsh, CEO Retail, N.Brown plc *"The Customer-Base Audit is a masterpiece that challenges companies to measure the differences and dynamics between their customers. A gateway into customer centricity, this important book is one you’ll devour and then proudly evangelize to the rest of your organization, bringing all those who listen to a path toward profitable, sustainable growth backed with conviction born from insurmountable data and an endless buffet of experience." * Neil Hoyne, Chief Measurement Strategist, Google, and Author, Converted *"Understanding the nature (and value) of our customers’ behavior is central to every decision a bank makes, as well as the way those decisions are evaluated. I’ve been a strong advocate of formally assessing customer value for years, and I can’t think of a better way to do that than through a customer-base audit. The frameworks and analysis in The Customer-Base Audit are incredibly useful for any company and should be part of every analytics team’s repertoire. Further, boards and executives should be demanding this type of work from their analytics leaders." * Zachery Anderson, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, NatWest Group *"I would be a rich man if I had been paid a pound every time I had been told in the last 40 years or so that if only we had a reliable, complete view of the behaviour of each customer, we could become a much more successful business. This book shows the reader how to take the steps to achieve this." * David Tyler, Former Chairman, J. Sainsbury plc *"The Customer-Base Audit makes the complex simple. It shows how straightforward analysis can spotlight massive opportunities for change and is a must read for anyone who wants to do more for their customers." * Gill Barr, former Marketing Director, John Lewis *"The Customer-Base Audit, by Fader, Hardie, and Ross, provides a practical and example-rich hands-on guide to their core methods of analyzing customer data. The authors, who are master teachers and practitioners of this field, point out that executives know so much about their products, yet so little about their customers. For most of history, customer specific data was not readily available, so people were not trained to analyze it and there were no good guides to doing so. But with the digital age, it now becomes possible and imperative to view a business through the lens of customer data. This book is a must-read guide that will empower leaders for a generation and spur countless insights within organizations of all kinds." * Barney Pell, Ph.D., AI Pioneer and Thought Leader; Entrepreneur and Investor; Founder of Powerset (Microsoft Bing) *"Fader, Hardie, and Ross’s practical, logical and commonsense approach to data analysis is refreshing when compared with the myriad of confusion that normally reigns in understanding consumer behaviour." * Mark Newton-Jones, Member of the Global Supervisory Board, INGKA *

Read more less

Book Synopsis* Financial Times Business Book of the Month * Next Big Idea Club Nominee * One of Bloomberg''s 52 New Books That Top Business Leaders Are Recommending * Aleo Review of Books 2022 Book of the Year *A groundbreaking exploration of why we want what we want, and a toolkit for freeing ourselves from chasing unfulfilling desires.Gravity affects every aspect of our physical being, but there's a psychological force just as powerfulyet almost nobody has heard of it. It's responsible for bringing groups of people together and pulling them apart, making certain goals attractive to some and not to others, and fueling cycles of anxiety and conflict. In Wanting, Luke Burgis draws on the work of French polymath René Girard to bring this hidden force to light and reveals how it shapes our lives and societies. According to Girard, humans don't desire anything independently. Human desire is mimeticwe imitate what other people

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner of the Nobel Prize in Economics Get ready to change the way you think about economics.Trade Review"A sly and somewhat subversive history of [the economics] profession . . . engrossing and highly relevant." -- Jonathan A. Knee - New York Times"Highly enjoyable . . . dense with fascinating examples. . . . It is long past time to replace Econs with Humans, both in theory and in the practice of prediction." -- Carol Tavris - Wall Street Journal"A dryly humorous history of the revolution [Thaler] helped ignite, as well as a useful (if sometimes challenging) primer on its key concepts." -- Julia M. Klein - Chicago Tribune"[A] masterful, readable account of behavioral economics. Very well done." -- David Wessel, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author of Red Ink and Ben Bernanke’s War on the Great Panic"Bound to become a classic. Now established as one of the great figures in the history of economic thought, Thaler has no predecessors. A rebel with a cause . . .[w]here he wins Olympic gold is in keen observation; his greatest insights come from actually looking." -- Cass Sunstein - New Rambler"Entertaining…. An excellent read on the shortcomings of classical economic and finance theory." -- Ronald L. Moy, CFA Institute"The creative genius who invented the field of behavioral economics is also a master storyteller and a very funny man. All these talents are on display in this wonderful book." -- Daniel Kahneman, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics and author of Thinking, Fast and Slow"The story behind some of the most important insights in modern economics. If I had to be trapped in an elevator with any contemporary intellectual, I’d pick Richard Thaler." -- Malcolm Gladwell"Richard Thaler has been at the center of the most important revolution to happen in economics in the last thirty years. In this captivating book, he lays out the evidence for behavioral economics and explains why there was so much resistance to it. Read Misbehaving. There is no better guide to this new and exciting economics." -- Robert J. Shiller, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics and author of Finance and the Good Society

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisEveryone knows that the best way to create customer loyalty is with service so good, so over the top, that it surprises and delights. But what if everyone is wrong?  In their acclaimed bestseller The Challenger Sale, Matthew Dixon and his colleagues at CEB busted many longstanding myths about sales. Now they’ve turned their research and analysis to a new vital business subject—customer loyalty—with a new book that turns the conventional wisdom on its head.  The idea that companies must delight customers by exceeding service expectations is so entrenched that managers rarely even question it. They devote untold time, energy, and resources to trying to dazzle people and inspire their undying loyalty. Yet CEB’s careful research over five years and tens of thousands of respondents proves that the “dazzle factor” is wildly overrated—it simply doesn’t predict repeat sales, share of wallet, or positive wordof-mouth. The reality:  Loyalty is driven by how well a company delivers on its basic promises and solves day-to-day problems, not on how spectacular its service experience might be. Most customers don’t want to be “wowed”; they want an effortless experience. And they are far more likely to punish you for bad service than to reward you for good service. If you put on your customer hat rather than your manager or marketer hat, this makes a lot of sense. What do you really want from your cable company, a free month of HBO when it screws up or a fast, painless restoration of your connection? What about your bank—do you want free cookies and a cheerful smile, even a personal relationship with your teller? Or just a quick in-and-out transaction and an easy way to get a refund when it accidentally overcharges on fees? The Effortless Experience takes readers on a fascinating journey deep inside the customer experience to reveal what really makes customers loyal—and disloyal. The authors lay out the four key pillars of a low-effort customer experience, along the way delivering robust data, shocking insights and profiles of companies that are already using the principles revealed by CEB’s research, with great results. And they include many tools and templates you can start applying right away to improve service, reduce costs, decrease customer churn, and ultimately generate the elusive loyalty that the “dazzle factor” fails to deliver.  The rewards are there for the taking, and the pathway to achieving them is now clearly marked.

Read more less

Book SynopsisGreat leaders embrace a higher purpose to win. The Net Promoter System shines as their guiding star.Few management ideas have spread so far and wide as the Net Promoter System (NPS). Since its conception almost two decades ago by customer loyalty guru Fred Reichheld, thousands of companies around the world have adopted it—from industrial titans such as Mercedes-Benz and Cummins to tech giants like Apple and Amazon to digital innovators such as Warby Parker and Peloton.Now, Reichheld has raised the bar yet again. In Winning on Purpose, he demonstrates that the primary purpose of a business should be to enrich the lives of its customers. Why? Because when customers feel this love, they come back for more and bring their friends—generating good profits. This is NPS 3.0 and it puts a new take on the age-old Golden Rule—treat customers the way you would want a loved one treated—at the heart of enduring business success. As the compelling examples in this book illustrate, companies with superior NPS consistently deliver higher returns to shareholders across a wide array of industries.But winning on purpose isn't easy. Reichheld also explains why many NPS practitioners achieve just a small fraction of the system's full potential, and he presents the newest thinking and best practices for doing NPS right. He unveils the Earned Growth Rate (EGR): the first reliable, complementary accounting measure that can truly leverage the power of NPS.With keen insight and moving personal stories, Reichheld advances the thinking and practice of NPS. Winning on Purpose is your indispensable guide for inspiring customer love within your own teams and using Net Promoter to achieve both personal and business success.Trade Review"…a clear and passionate argument for companies focusing singularly on making the lives of their customers better—a thought-provoking thesis as more businesses shift from a primary focus on serving shareholders to embracing the values of stakeholder capitalism." — CharterAdvance Praise for Winning on Purpose:"[Reichheld's] most important work to date. It proves that the primary purpose guiding all great organizations is to enrich the lives of customers." — John Donahoe, CEO, Nike (from the Foreword)"Reichheld is a true pioneer in his field . . . his practical ideas earn a high Net Promoter Score." — Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author, Think Again; host, TED WorkLife podcast"Reichheld has again delivered a compelling and remarkable piece on winning through customer loyalty . . . 'Do the right thing' and read the book!" — Andrew C. Taylor, Executive Chairman, Enterprise Holdings"This book is fantastic! Net Promoter is more relevant than ever in the digital world." — Brad Olson, Chief Business Officer, Peloton"[Reichheld's] thinking has influenced our organization for decades, and he has raised the bar once again." — Tim Buckley, Chairman and CEO, Vanguard"This book shows how NPS provides companies with both a moral compass and a powerful tool for success." — Zeynep Ton, professor, MIT Sloan School of Management; author, The Good Jobs Strategy"Winning on Purpose confirms [Reichheld] as the unquestioned leader in his field. It's a must-read for any businessperson pursuing sustainable success." — Walt Bettinger, President and CEO, Charles Schwab"Reichheld has changed the business community forever, first with Net Promoter and now with Earned Growth. Every entrepreneur should read this book." — Dave Gilboa, cofounder and co-CEO, Warby Parker

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe bestselling author of Simpler offers a powerful, provocative, and convincing argument for protecting people from their own mistakes Based on a series of pathbreaking lectures given at Yale University in 2012, this powerful, thought-provoking work by national best-selling author Cass R. Sunstein combines legal theory with behavioral economics to make a fresh argument about the legitimate scope of government, bearing on obesity, smoking, distracted driving, health care, food safety, and other highly volatile, high-profile public issues. Behavioral economists have established that people often make decisions that run counter to their best interestsproducing what Sunstein describes as behavioral market failures. Sometimes we disregard the long term; sometimes we are unrealistically optimistic; sometimes we do not see what is in front of us. With this evidence in mind, Sunstein argues for a new form of paternalism, one that protects people against serious errors but also recognizes the risk of government overreaching and usually preserves freedom of choice. Against those who reject paternalism of any kind, Sunstein shows that choice architecturegovernment-imposed structures that affect our choicesis inevitable, and hence that a form of paternalism cannot be avoided. He urges that there are profoundly moral reasons to ensure that choice architecture is helpful rather than harmfuland that it makes people's lives better and longer.Trade Review"Cass Sunstein’s quest is an important one."—Andrew Stark, TLS"While we tend to think that offering information merely allows us to choose our means more carefully, without affecting what ends we actually want to pursue, Sunstein argues quite convincingly that for that government to highlight certain information may actually affect our goals."—Sarah Conly, author of Against Autonomy: Justifying Coercive Paternalism

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisCreating a unique value for your customers is crucial if you want to differentiate in an overcrowded market. To do so, you need to define a powerful strategy that determines consistent action across your organisation to deliver your unique flavour. Szóstek describes this strategy as umami, which is the fifth category of taste (besides sweet, sour, salt and bitter), and gives an exceptional flavour to your food. How do you build a powerful yet actionable strategy, and successfully implement it across your organisation? Many leaders, marketers and designers try to answer these questions. The Umami Strategy proposes a novel approach that will help you build and execute an experience strategy. The model used in the book allows you to (a) find out what stories your customers are telling today; (b) uncover motivators and demotivators that guide these stories; (c) envision the ideal future experience you want to deliver; (d) define the actionable measures that will ensure progress toward that vision; and (e) evaluate that progress through future customer stories. Enjoyable, practical and full of hidden gems and tips, this book will help you get your organisation to align with building a unique market value through delivering memorable experiences to your customers. Because to be noticed, you need to stand out of the crowd.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe first Handbook in economics dedicated to the discussion of the methods of experimental economics, this timely book analyses the current state-of-the-art in the field. The chapters systematically cover the most relevant issues in experimental design and implementation, while also exploring novel research developments. Offering a comprehensive review of experimental methods in economics, this 21 chapter Handbook covers theoretical and practical issues including: recruitment, software and laboratory organization, incentives, data analysis, and theory and policy development. Expert scholars offer unique insight into laboratory procedures, replication studies, field experiments and neuroeconomics, while also providing a novel set-valued equilibrium concept. The combination of basic methods and current developments will aid both novice and advanced experimental economists. This is a must-read for economic researchers and scholars using experimental methodology, providing vital reference and clarifying issues that will arise when designing and running experiments. Graduate students of experimental and behavioral economics will also find this a useful guide in learning about the advanced tools this exciting field has to offer.Trade Review'This is a wonderful book. It is rare that a book collects chapters that both discuss experimental methods as well as research on the frontiers of knowledge. This is a must-read for both the novice and the veteran experimentalist as well as those outside the field' --Andrew Schotter, New York University, USTable of ContentsContents: Introduction Arthur Schram and Aljaž Ule Part I Methods of Experimental Economics 1. Incentives James C. Cox and Vjollca Sadiraj 2. Deception Andreas Ortmann 3. Preference Measurement and Manipulation in Experimental Economics Hande Erkut and Ernesto Reuben 4. Data Analysis Peter G. Moffatt 5. Replication and other Practices for Improving Scientific Quality in Experimental Economics Colin F. Camerer, Anna Dreber, and Magnus Johannesson Part II Field Experiments 6. Advantages and Disadvantages of Field Experiments Anya Samek 7. Randomization in Field Experiments Noemi Peter and Adriaan R. Soetevent Part III Neuroeconomics 8. Brain Measurement and Manipulation Methods Jan B. Engelmann, Manon Mulckhuyse, and Chih-Chung Ting 9. An Introduction to Physiological Economics Oliver J. Hulme, Edward J.D. Webb, and Alexander C. Sebald 10. Neuroeconomics: Data Analysis Mael Lebreton and Kerstin Preuschoff 11. Homo Oeconomicus with a Personality—Trait-based Differences in Decision Making Carsten K.W. De Dreu and Jörg Gross Part IV Developing Economic Theory and Policy 12. Taking Process into Account when Modelling Risky Choice Graham Loomes 13. Rank-Dependent Choice Equilibrium: A Non-Parametric Generalization of QRE Jacob K. Goeree, Charles A. Holt, Philippos Louis, Thomas R. Palfrey, and Brian Rogers 14. Experiments on Macroeconomics: Methods and Applications Camille Cornand and Frank Heinemann 15. The Role of Experiments for Policy Design Peter Werner and Arno Riedl Part V Experimental Procedures 16. Subject Pools and Recruitment Ben Greiner and Marianne Stephanides 17. Software and Laboratory Organization Joep Sonnemans and Ailko van der Veen 18. Cross-Cultural Behavioral Experiments: Potential and Challenges Christian Thöni 19. Real-Effort Tasks Jeffrey Carpenter and Emiliano Huet-Vaughn 20. Experimenter Demand Effects Jonathan de Quidt, Lise Vesterlund, and Alistair J. Wilson 21. Communication in Laboratory Experiments Jordi Brandts, David J. Cooper, and Christina Rott Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"Finalist for the Best Book Published by a University Press, Digital Book World Awards""Longlisted for the getAbstract International Book Award""Winner of the PROSE Award in Economics, Association of American Publishers""Co-Winner of the Gold Medal in Economics, Axiom Business Book Awards""One of the Financial Times' Best Books of 2019: Economics""One of Prospect's Best Economics Books of 2019""An Economist Book of the Year""Mind-opening Business Books of 2019""One of Mint's Books of 2019 You Should Not Miss""A Project Syndicate Best Read in 2019""Shiller is one of the world’s most original economists. . . . Stories allow human beings to make sense of an uncertain world. But they also drive economies into booms and busts. Armed with this understanding, we gain a far richer understanding of how economies behave."---Martin Wolf, Financial Times"Shiller’s thorough discussion and many examples are certainly convincing as to the importance of narratives in individual economic decision-making and aggregate economic phenomena."---Sonia Jaffe, Science"Economics is the study of people at work, but where are the people? Many a learned economist forgets all about them. Not Robert Shiller, the author of Narrative Economics, who believes that volatile human emotion counts for more than you think in the ostensibly objective valuation of stocks, bonds and buildings."---James Grant, Wall Street Journal"[Shiller] explores how the public’s subjective perceptions can shape economic trends. . . . A sensible and welcome escape from the dead hand of mathematical models of economics." * The Economist *"A magisterial account . . . . In some ways . . . a bigger challenge to the foundations of economics than behavioral economics."---Steve Denning, Forbes"The idea that human behaviour can exert its own influence in the market is something that most traders wouldbuy into. . . . But in Narrative Economics, Shiller goes much broader and deeper, looking at how the stories we tell ourselves about the world drive our behaviour. . . . Economists, he argues, need to study this if they are to have any hope of doing a better job than they have in the past of predicting major events . . . and how people react to them."---Rana Foroohar, Financial Times"Provocative . . . . Especially timely in the current social media-obsessed era, because narratives—both real and false—can spread globally with just a few swipes, affecting not just economic activity, but ultimately the balance of geopolitical power."---Matt Schifrin, Forbes"Many economists argue that the US housing market and economy are still on solid foundations, but ignoreShiller’s warnings at your peril. He rarely gets it wrong."---Tom Rees, The Telegraph"Excellent."---Gillian Tett, Financial Times"[Shiller aims] to identify the enduring narratives that influence the way we think about the economy, and may influence our patterns of spending and saving, and therefore become self-fulfilling prophecies . . . the results are fascinating, and sometimes startling."---Howard Davies, Prospect"Shiller argues forcefully."---Chris Johns, Irish Times"Any given scenario can allow for multiple narratives, both actual and potential. The question is why some prove more compelling than others. Shiller offers a range of answers, starting with the most obvious: a narrative is compelling when it is engaging and well expressed. Because his book is very well written, Shiller himself has satisfied this criterion."---Barry Eichengreen, Project Syndicate"Shiller has none of the salesman-like bluster of the stock pickers clamouring for attention on businessTV news . . . . As it is, he has only 40-odd years of being freakishly right about things. It will have to do."---David Morris, Financial News"Highly readable, compelling."---Steve Levine, Medium"The book is . . . good fun to read. It is full of amusing and apposite quotations, and interesting detail."---Charles Goodhart, Central Banking Journal"Shiller’s book is a spectacular effort at unifying distinct fields and encouraging the profession to be ever more capacious in its approach to phenomena and methodology."---Mihir Desai, Times Higher Education"What’s surprising, perhaps, is that the gearheads in academic economics departments may finally be getting wind of all this. If they are, much of the credit must go to Robert J. Shiller, the Yale economist who won the Nobel Prize in his field in 2013. Shiller’s iconoclastic new book, Narrative Economics, ranges across disciplines to explore the role of narratives in explaining (as the subtitle has it) 'how stories go viral and drive major economic events'."---Daniel Akst, Strategy+Business"This book about the economic significance of viral stories has a great potential to become a viral story itself."---Gábor István Bíró, Metascience"If we are going to win the war for reason and evidence, if we are going to stop humans from wiping out entire species and cities, economists and humanists are going to need to create more bridges across the disciplinary chasms. The proposal to focus on narratives and their powers is spot on. Robert Shiller gets us going."---Jeremy Adelman, Public Books"This is a must read."---Vivek Kaul, Mint"The Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller defends the skills learned by English majors and other liberal arts graduates in his new book, Narrative Economics. Such graduates have highly developed critical-thinking and analysis skills in the narrative storylines that help people guide their way through complex personal and organizational relationships."---C. Ronald Kimberling, The Hill"Much of the book . . . . is an enjoyable and well-informed description of such narratives. I especially liked his discussion of bimetallism, wherein he shows that Brexit is not the first debate about an abstruse issue which triggered a culture war."---Chris Dillow, Stumbling & Mumbling"An engaging scholarly study of the stories we tell about economic events—stories that go viral, for better or worse . . . . Of immense value to economists and policymakers working on the behavioral side of the field." * Kirkus Reviews *"[A] highly readable introduction to narrative economics . . . . Readers can readily identify with the examplesgiven in this book and will gain a much better understanding of the role of stories, especially in view of the speed of modern contagions."---David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer"Narrative Economics is an eloquent and accessible exposition of a seductive idea. It’s a particularly compelling hypothesis."---Tim Jackson, Nature"Narratives are important and enduring, as Professor Shiller’s entertaining book reminds us."---David Smith, The Times"This book alone should be enough to convince readers that assumptions about “given” preferences and “rational” utility-maximizing actors are totally inadequate for predicting economic and social events."---Kemal Derviş, Project Syndicate"An uncannily prescient book for the current moment."---Chris Taylor, Reuters"By emphasizing narratives, Shiller aims to mount a fundamental challenge to standard economic thinking—and to open up new territory for analysis. Narrative Economics was published before the novel coronavirus struck, but in a sense thepandemic is an important point in his argument’s favor. . . . Shiller is right to suggest that narratives can be uniquely memorable and influential, because they focus people’s attention and move their emotions in ways that abstractions usually do not."---Cass R. Sunstein, New York Review of Books"The subject deserved a treatise by a brilliant author, and Robert Shiller delivered. Economic science would benefit immensely if the ideas from this book were to go viral themselves."---Josip Lucev, International Studies

Read more less

Book SynopsisNow in its second edition, this popular textbook on game theory is unrivalled in the breadth of its coverage, the thoroughness of technical explanations and the number of worked examples included. Covering non-cooperative and cooperative games, this introduction to game theory includes advanced chapters on auctions, games with incomplete information, games with vector payoffs, stable matchings and the bargaining set. This edition contains new material on stochastic games, rationalizability, and the continuity of the set of equilibrium points with respect to the data of the game. The material is presented clearly and every concept is illustrated with concrete examples from a range of disciplines. With numerous exercises, and the addition of a solution manual for instructors with this edition, the book is an extensive guide to game theory for undergraduate through graduate courses in economics, mathematics, computer science, engineering and life sciences, and will also serve as useful reTrade ReviewPraise for first edition: 'This is the book for which the world has been waiting for decades: a definitive, comprehensive account of the mathematical theory of games, by three of the world's biggest experts on the subject. Rigorous yet eminently readable, deep yet comprehensible, replete with a large variety of important real-world applications, it will remain the standard reference in game theory for a very long time.' Robert Aumann, Nobel Laureate in Economics, The Hebrew University of JerusalemPraise for first edition: 'Without any sacrifice on the depth or the clarity of the exposition, this book is amazing in its breadth of coverage of the important ideas of game theory. It covers classical game theory, including utility theory, equilibrium refinements and belief hierarchies; classical cooperative game theory, including the core, Shapley value, bargaining set and nucleolus; major applications, including social choice, auctions, matching and mechanism design; and the relevant mathematics of linear programming and fixed point theory. The comprehensive coverage combined with the depth and clarity of exposition makes it an ideal book not only to learn game theory from, but also to have on the shelves of working game theorists.' Ehud Kalai, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern UniversityPraise for first edition: 'The best and the most comprehensive textbook for advanced courses in game theory.' David Schmeidler, Ohio State University and Tel Aviv UniversityPraise for first edition: 'There are quite a few good textbooks on game theory now, but for rigor and breadth this one stands out.' Eric S. Maskin, Nobel Laureate in Economics, Harvard University, MassachusettsPraise for first edition: 'This textbook provides an exceptionally clear and comprehensive introduction to both cooperative and noncooperative game theory. It deftly combines a rigorous exposition of the key mathematical results with a wealth of illuminating examples drawn from a wide range of subjects. It is a tour de force.' Peyton Young, University of OxfordPraise for first edition: 'This is a wonderful introduction to game theory, written in a way that allows it to serve both as a text for a course and as a reference … The book is written by leading figures in the field [whose] broad view of the field suffuses the material.' Joe Halpern, Cornell University, New YorkTable of Contents1. The game of chess; 2. Utility theory; 3. Extensive-form games; 4. Strategic-form games; 5. Mixed strategies; 6. Behavior strategies and Kuhn's theorem; 7. Equilibrium refinements; 8. Correlated equilibria; 9. Games with incomplete information and common priors; 10. Games with incomplete information: the general model; 11. The universal belief space; 12. Auctions; 13. Repeated games; 14. Repeated games with vector payoffs; 15. Social choice; 16. Bargaining games; 17. Coalitional games with transferable utility; 18. The core; 19. The Shapley value; 20. The bargaining set; 21. The nucleolus; 22. Stable matching; 23. Appendices.

Read more less

Book SynopsisEver notice that all watch ads show 10:10 as the time? Or that all fast-food restaurants use red or yellow in their logos? Or that certain stores are always having a sale? You may not be aware of these details, yet they've been influencing you all along. Every time you purchase, swipe, or click, marketers are able to more accurately predict your behavior. These days, brands know more about you than you know about yourself. Blindsight is here to change that. With eye-opening science, engaging stories, and fascinating real-world examples, neuroscientist Matt Johnson and marketer Prince Ghuman dive deep into the surprising relationship between brains and brands. In Blindsight, they showcase how marketing taps every aspect of our mental lives, covering the neuroscience of pain and pleasure, emotion and logic, fear and safety, attention and addiction, and much more. We like to think of ourselves as independent actors in control of our decisions, but the truth is far more complicated. Blindsight will give you the ability to see the unseeable when it comes to marketing, so that you can consume on your own terms. On the surface, you will learn how the brain works and how brands design for it. But peel back a layer, and you'll find a sharper image of your psychology, reflected in your consumer behavior. This book will change the way you view not just branding, but yourself, too.Trade Review"This is one of the best reads for marketing professionals." —The Neuromarketing Science & Business Association "The two authors have ... delightfully described how our supposedly hardwired brain can so skillfully be manipulated by the media, merchants, and other mercenaries." —Manhattan Book Review "Blindsight is a rigorous examination of how top brands sneak into our brains and grab the best real estate. Deftly mixing neuroscience, psychology, and fun stories, the book is a delight to read; it will grip you from the start, and leave you feeling smarter." —Rich Karlgaard, publisher at Forbes "Blindsight teaches us how to be smarter consumers who make wise decisions that will ultimately leave us happier, wealthier, and healthier." —Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Drunk Tank Pink and Irresistible "Somewhere hidden between the bright colors, catchy jingles, and strategic placement of advertisements is the psychology behind their influence. This book uncovers this hidden layer of the consumer world and how it affects our thoughts, emotions, and spending habits. A must-read for consumers and marketers alike." —Kendis Gibson, Emmy award-winning journalist and reporter for MSNBC "With an entertaining blend of storytelling and science, Blindsight is a truly eye-opening look into the complex dynamics underlying how brands drive consumer behavior. A must-read book that will have you re-examining both information around you and your own purchase decisions at every turn." —Abigail Sussman, associate professor of marketing at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business "Prince Ghuman and Matt Johnson bring to life the science behind how Facebook holds your attention, how Star Wars captured the hearts of generations of moviegoers, and selling billions in bottled water to consumers with taps in their homes. This is the perfect book for readers looking to understand what happens when the magic behind modern branding meets the machinery of the mind." —Drew Jacoby-Senghor, assistant professor of management at Berkeley Haas School of Business "If you want to understand the driving forces behind your decisions, if you want to be smarter about your purchases, if you want to know how to improve your spending habits, read this book!" —Jiaying Zhao, associate professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia "Johnson and Ghuman artfully combine science, business, and storytelling to help us understand the invisible forces which shape our decisions and experiences. Along the way, they reveal to us all how deeply interwoven consumerism is into the perception of reality itself." —Blake Sherwin, assistant professor of applied mathematics and theoretical physics at Cambridge University "Fast-paced, clever, and utterly fascinating, Blindsight sheds new light on the deeply rooted beliefs and mental gymnastics that brands tap with precision to create preference. Johnson and Ghuman weave meticulously chronicled science into great stories with thoroughly modern examples that will leave consumers, marketers, brands, or just neuro-curious readers with something to chew on and lots to discuss at your next dinner party." —Carol Caruba, principal at Highwire PR "Equal parts science and storytelling, Blindsight changes the way we see ourselves as consumers. . . . This book is an engaging journey into the science of marketing's influence, and how it impacts how we see the world around us." —Judy Fan, assistant professor of psychology at University of California at San Diego "Blindsight is a refreshing, timely book that will make you examine the secret ways marketing influences you. You won't be able to think about your own consumer life the same way." —Sheryle Bolton, serial entrepreneur "Drawing creative and insightful connections between scientific studies and the effectiveness of today's marketing strategies, this book achieves a perfect balance of humor and rigor. Blindsight will make you understand yourself better—as a consumer, and as a person." —Natalia Córdova, psychology lecturer at Yale University "Blindsight is an ideal way to gain insight into the incredibly complex interactions between psychology and neuroscience that are underlying the seemingly simple concept of human intuition." —James Newell, managing director at Voyager CapitalTable of ContentsContents The Power of Blindsight Chapter 1 Eating the Menu Chapter 2 Dropping Anchors Chapter 3 Making the Moment Chapter 4 Memory Remixed Chapter 5 Of Two Minds Chapter 6 Pleasure – Pain = Purchase Chapter 7 Addiction 2.0 Chapter 8 Why We Like What We Like Chapter 9 Empathy and the Human Connection Chapter 10 The Essence of Everything Chapter 11 Midliminal Chapter 12 The Future of Marketing AcknowledgmentsEndnotesAbout the Authors

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Priceless, bestselling author William Poundstone reveals the hidden psychology of value and explores how we react to the most pervasive persuader of all: price. Charting the burgeoning growth of price-consultants who advise retailers from Nike to Nokia, Poundstone shows how behavioural decision theory has revolutionised the pricing strategies of major corporations. Informed by fascinating behavioural experiments and packed with real-life examples, Priceless explains why prices are so important, and the tricks that companies use to sell their goods. It will prove indispensable to anyone who buys, sells, or negotiates.Trade Review"[The book's] remarkably engaging prose style kept me glued to the page. Fascinating and fun, and I definitely think you should buy it. 5/5" * BBC Focus *"[The book's] remarkably engaging prose style kept me glued to the page. Fascinating and fun, and I definitely think you should buy it. 5/5" * BBC Focus *"Pricing is a richer subject than you might imagine. The smile that creeps onto your face when a shameless marketing gambit reminds you of something you read in Poundstone's book? Priceless. * Business Week *"Bright analysis of the psychology of pricing … readable and revealing." * Kirkus Reviews *"Switched-on consumers may think that they are wise to the marketing strategies thrown at them, but they should think again. Poundstone is your savvy, witty guide to saving the pound in your purse." * The Times *"Switched-on consumers may think that they are wise to the marketing strategies thrown at them, but they should think again. Poundstone is your savvy, witty guide to saving the pound in your purse." * The Times *"Pricing is a richer subject than you might imagine. The smile that creeps onto your face when a shameless marketing gambit reminds you of something you read in Poundstone's book? Priceless. * Business Week *"All about the hidden psychology of value, it is a truly eye-opening account of how the pricing of products affects how we think of them." * The Big Issue *

Read more less

Book SynopsisHow should policy analysts assess ''benefit validity'' when behavioral anomalies appear relevant? David L. Weimer provides thoughtful answers through practical guidelines. Behavioral economists have identified a number of situations in which people appear not to behave according to the neoclassical assumptions underpinning welfare economics and its application to the assessment of the efficiency of proposed public policies through cost-benefit analysis. This book introduces the concept of benefit validity as a criterion for estimating benefits from observed or stated preference studies, and provides practical guidelines to help analysts accommodate behavioral findings. It considers benefit validity in four areas: violations of expected utility theory, unexpectedly large differences between willingness to pay and willingness to accept, non-exponential discounting, and harmful addiction. In addition to its immediate value to practicing policy analysts, it helps behavioral economists idenTable of Contents1. Introduction; 2. Neoclassical valuation principles for CBA; 3. Possible behavioral frameworks for CBA; 4. Risk perception and expected utility deviations; 5. Large deviations between WTP and WTA; 6. Non-exponential time discounting; 7. Harmful addictive consumption; 8. Practical guidelines for valuation.

Read more less