THE ROLE OF BEHAVIORAL NUDGES IN ENHANCING CEO DECISION-MAKING FOR INNOVATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20319/icssh.2025.400415Keywords:
Nudges, CEO, Decision-Making, Innovation, Strategic ManagementAbstract
This study examines the intersection of CEO influence on innovation and the potential of behavioural nudging techniques. It aims to develop a theoretical framework that applies principles from Nudge Theory and Upper Echelons Theory to enhance decision-making processes at the executive level, thereby fostering organisational innovation. The proposed framework identifies key decision points in the innovation process, where nudges such as default options, social norms, and framing effects can be effectively deployed to mitigate cognitive biases and promote innovation-focused choices. The study also addresses potential challenges, including ethical considerations and context-specific limitations, providing a comprehensive perspective on the application of nudges at the C-suite level. The academic contribution lies in bridging behavioural economics and innovation management, offering an evidence-based approach to improving strategic decisions. From an economic perspective, the framework elucidates how optimized decision-making processes can enhance competitiveness and drive innovation outcomes. Finally, the paper discusses practical implications for organisations and delineates directions for future empirical research, including longitudinal studies and real-world applications, to validate the proposed framework.
References
Aabo, T., Pantzalis, C., Park, J. C., Trigeorgis, L., & Wulff, J. N. (2024). CEO personality traits, strategic flexibility, and firm dynamics. Journal of Corporate Finance, 84, 102524. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCORPFIN.2023.102524
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Arkes, H. R., & Blumer, C. (1985). The psychology of sunk cost. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 35(1), 124–140.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(85)90049-4
Albaum, G., & Herche, J. (1999). Management Style Comparisons Among Five European Nations.
Journal of Global Marketing, 12(4), 5–27.
https://doi.org/10.1300/J042v12n04_02
Arena, C., Michelon, G., & Trojanowski, G. (2018). Big Egos Can Be Green: A Study of CEO Hubris and Environmental Innovation. British Journal of Management, 29(2), 316–336. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12250
Back, P., & Bausch, A. (2019). Not If, But How CEOs Affect Product Innovation: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 16(3).
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219877019300015
Barca, F. (2001). The Control of Corporate Europe. Oxford University Press.
Becht, M., & Mayer, C. (2002). Corporate control in Europe. Revue d’économie Politique, Vol.
(4), 471–498.
https://doi.org/10.3917/redp.124.0471
Böker, L. (2021). Nudge in Deutschland – Die Einordnung des Konzepts und seine rechtliche Bewertung. 72–113.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-33472-7_3
Chatziathanasiou, K. (2024). Nudge, Hype, Replikationskrise: Zu unsicheren (Neben-)Wirkungen verhaltenswissenschaftlicher Steuerung. Mittelbare Verhaltenssteuerung – Konzept, Wirkungen, Kritik, 169–184.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-69010-9_10
Cohen, M., & Jabotinsky, H. (2020). Nudging and the law: A European perspective. Behavioural Public Policy, 4(3), 288–306.
https://doi.org/10.1017/bpp.2019.27
Colbert, A. E., Barrick, M. R., & Bradley, B. H. (2014). Personality and leadership composition in top management teams: Implications for organizational effectiveness. Personnel Psychology, 67(2), 351–387.
https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12036
Crossland, C., & Hambrick, D. C. (2007). How national systems differ in their constraints on corporate executives: A study of CEO effects in three countries. Strategic Management Journal, 28(8), 767–789.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.610
Crossland, C., & Hambrick, D. C. (2011). Differences in managerial discretion across countries: How nation-level institutions affect the degree to which ceos matter. Strategic Management Journal, 32(8), 797–819.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.913
Denton, D. K. (1999). Gaining competitiveness through innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, 2(2), 82–85.
https://doi.org/10.1108/14601069910269790
Dess,G.G. and Beard, D.W. (1984) Dimensions of Organizational Task Environments.
Administrative Science Quarterly, 29, 52-73.
https://doi.org/10.2307/2393080
Driver, C., Lambert, P., & Vial, S. (1993). RISKY PRODUCTION WITH EX-ANTE PRICES UNDER MONOPOLY ANALYTICAL AND SIMULATION RESULTS. Bulletin of Economic Research, 45(1), 59–68.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467- 8586.1993.tb00556.x
Ebert, P., & Freibichler, W. (2017). Nudge management: applying behavioural science to increase knowledge worker productivity. Journal of Organization Design, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/S41469-017-0014-1
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Agency Theory: An Assessment and Review. In Academy ol Managwneni Review (Vol. 14).
Gal, D. (2019). The Genius Dilemma: Fortune 1000 CEO Personality and Firm Innovation.
Journal of Creative Behavior, 53(3), 339–348.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jocb.185
Galpin, T. (2022). Nudging innovation across the firm – aligning culture with strategy. Journal of Business Strategy, 43(1), 44–55.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JBS-07-2020-0147
Hambrick, D. C., & Mason, P. A. (1984). Upper Echelons: The Organization as a Reflection of Its Top Managers. In Source: The Academy of Management Review (Vol. 9, Issue 2).
Herrmann, P., & Nadkarni, S. (2014). Managing strategic change: The duality of CEO personality.
Strategic Management Journal, 35(9), 1318–1342.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2156
Hottenrott, H., Peters, B., & Rammer, C. (2024). What’s the State of the Innovation Capacity in Germany? Wirtschaftsdienst, 104(4), 230–235.
https://doi.org/10.2478/wd-2024-0065
Jachimowicz, J. M., & McNerney, S. (2015). The Positive Power of Nudges. Scientific American Mind, 26(5), 22–23.
https://doi.org/10.1038/SCIENTIFICAMERICANMIND0915-22
Jaakkola, E. (2020). Designing conceptual articles: four approaches. AMS Review, 10(1–2), 18–
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13162-020-00161-0
Jackson, T., Young, S., & McClelland, A. (2016). Nudging managers: Targeted choice architecture in strategic decision-making. Harvard Business Review, 94(5), 84–92
Janis, I. L. (1982). Groupthink: Psychological studies of policy decisions and fiascoes (2nd ed.).
Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Kaplan, S. N., Sorensen, M., Chi, D., Duan, G., Jiang, F., Klisz, A., Tang, E., Wummer, E., Xiao, E., & Xiao, S. (2017). NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES ARE CEOS DIFFERENT?
CHARACTERISTICS OF TOP MANAGERS.
http://www.nber.org/papers/w23832
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263–291.
https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
Klieber, K., Luger-Bazinger, C., Hornung-Prähauser, V., Geser, G., Wieden-Bischof, D., Paraschivoiu, I., Layer-Wagner, T., Möstegl, N., Huemer, F., & Rosan, J. (2020). Nudging sustainable behaviour: Data-based nudges for smart city innovations. Beitrag präsentiert auf der XXXI ISPIM Innovation Conference – Innovating in Times of Crisis. LUT Scientific and Expertise Publications. ISBN 978-952-335-466-1
Klein, G. (2007). Performing a project premortem. Harvard Business Review, 85(9), 18–19.
Kraft, M. H. G., Binder, P., & Scherer, L. (2024). Green Nudging in Unternehmen. Zfo, 93(3), 15–
https://doi.org/10.34156/0722-7485-2024-3-15
Krisam, Mathias. (2022). Nudging für ein gesundes Unternehmen : Endlich erfolgreiche Gesundheitsförderung am Arbeitsplatz mit dem AEIOU-Modell.
Kiss Cortes, A. F., & Herrmann, P. (2022). CEO proactiveness, innovation, and firm performance.
Leadership Quarterly, 33(3).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
