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Modeling rationality in marketing decision-making with game theory

C. Anthony di Benedetto

Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science · 1987 · Volume 15 · Issue 4

DOI: 10.1007/BF02723287

Abstract

Game theory may be used to gain insight into interfirm competition and the marketing decision-making process. This paper is aimed at the reader unfamiliar or only vaguely familiar with game theory and begins with a review of game theory terminology useful to marketing applications. Attention then focuses on the meaning of rational behavior in less-than-perfect conditions, which is a critical issue in the application of game theory to practical business situations (what may appear to be irrational behavior under conditions of complete information may be reasonable given the complex competitive environment typical of marketing decision-making situations). The paper concludes with an appraisal of the use of game theory as a decision-making model for managers.

Keywords

Payoff, Game Theory, Imperfect Information, Nash Equilibrium Strategy, Oligopoly

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