Scholion.ai

Extending Game Theoretic Propositions About Slack and Scarcity in Managerial Decision Making

Sandy J. Wayne, David Rubinstein

Human Relations · 1992 · Volume 45 · Issue 5

DOI: 10.1177/001872679204500506

Abstract

Game theory proposes that slack makes mean (noncooperative) games kinder (more cooperative) and kind (cooperative) games meaner (less cooperative), while scarcity produces the opposite effects. But, organizational situations generally involve mixtures of kindness (cooperation) and meanness (conflict). A 2 x 2 x 2 mixed motive decision-making experiment varied slack, certainty, and political influence. Results indicate that, when there is slack, kindness pays.

Keywords

managerial decision making, game theory, slack, scarcity, political influence

Enable JavaScript for citation tools and additional paper interactions.