Rational Choice Theory in Sociology: A Survey

Voß, Thomas; Abraham, Martín

doi:10.4135/9781848608405.n3

Cited by 57 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…According to theories of rational decision-making (Voss and Abraham 2000;Kroneberg and Kalter 2012), decisions are a function of an actor's preferences and constraints, including but not limited to personal, social, and economic factors. These preferences and constraints are variably distributed among individuals.…”

Section: Approach and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use frequency of 10 different methods for preventing and detecting academic dishonesty and the factors influencing their use

Sattler

Wiegel

Veen

2015

Studies in Higher Education

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This study examines the use frequency by German faculty of 10 different methods for preventing and detecting cheating on exams, plagiarism, and falsification and/or fabrication of data. It also investigates the factors influencing their use. In total, 3655 faculty members from 55 randomly chosen disciplines at 4 German universities were contacted and asked to participate in a web-based survey. Our results show that some methods were applied (very) seldom (e.g. the use of textmatching software), while others were used more frequently (e.g. employing a sufficient number of supervisors for exams). Factors found to promote the increased use of many of these methods include those methods' perceived efficacy as well as external expectations that they be used. When the effort involved in applying a specific method is perceived as high, the frequency of use is reduced. Our results can help universities to improve the prevention and detection of academic dishonesty.

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Section: Approach and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use frequency of 10 different methods for preventing and detecting academic dishonesty and the factors influencing their use

Sattler

Wiegel

Veen

2015

Studies in Higher Education

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“…This gives rise to the question of what the teacher and the school can do to stimulate this process. Their theoretical frameworks draw on models of deviance (Gibbs, 1981), cognitive consistency theory (Simon, Snow, & Read, 2004), moral development models (Kiser, Morrison, & Craven, 2009;Kohlberg, 1986), rational choice theory (Elster, 2007;Voss & Abraham, 2000), the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 2002; and the theory of reasoned action (Vernon Thomas Sarver, 1983) while a common conceptual approach to this issue is viewing it through the lens of moral action (Kang & Glassman, 2010). Bandura (1977) distinguishes four aspects that influence learning by model.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in Teachers’ Moral Role

Alt¹,

Reingold²

2012

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“…Notably, in contrast to its potential use in everyday language, a rational decision in terms of the theory does not necessarily have to be an economic decision. Instead, as mentioned previously, any decision is "rational" as long as it is made with respect to an actor's aims (for example , Coleman 1990;Harsanyi 1977;Voss and Abraham 2000). For example, a firm that chooses a financing option that is economically less beneficial than an alternative option may act completely rational if the firm's aims-which may comprise non-financial, emotional aspects, such as a need to maintain control (Berrone et al 2012)-are best satisfied by the chosen option.…”

Section: Rational Choice Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Second, rational choice theory is a dominant perspective in economics and has gained increasing influence in related academic fields, such as social sciences (Voss and Abraham 2000).…”

Section: Rational Choice Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

When do family firms consider issuing external equity? Understanding the contingent role of families’ need for control

Kupp

Schmitz

Habel

2019

JFBM

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Purpose Prior research has argued that family firms are reluctant to consider external equity as a source of financing because they fear a loss of control, which would limit their socioemotional wealth. However, prior empirical research has neglected potential contingencies that determine whether family firms’ need for control affects their equity financing decisions. The purpose of this paper is to provide first insight into this research void. Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on rational choice theory and a logit regression using secondary data. Findings The study shows that the effect of family firm owners’ need for control on their consideration of external equity depends on the extent to which owners expect investors to interfere with management and the extent to which decision making is affected by emotions. Hereby, the present study provides evidence that family firm owners’ decisions to use external equity are more complex than previously presumed. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations that provide fruitful avenues for further research. Overall, the authors list and detail seven different limitations in the paper, e.g. the narrow focus on equity financing, the use of a partial model, the fact that the authors did not conceptualize differences between different types of investors (such as high net worth individuals, private equity firms and venture capital firms) in the model and further more. Practical implications The study shows that investors need to understand the complex interplay among family firms’ need for control, expected investor interference and emotional decision making, to correctly assess their chances of success when approaching family firms for equity. Originality/value Prior empirical research has neglected potential contingencies that determine whether family firms’ need for control affects their equity financing decisions. The present paper provides first insight into this research void.

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Rational Choice Theory in Sociology: A Survey

Cited by 57 publications

References 0 publications

The use frequency of 10 different methods for preventing and detecting academic dishonesty and the factors influencing their use

The use frequency of 10 different methods for preventing and detecting academic dishonesty and the factors influencing their use

Changes in Teachers’ Moral Role

When do family firms consider issuing external equity? Understanding the contingent role of families’ need for control

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