Selection of a theoretical framework

Abstract

The preceding chapter established the conceptual basis of this study and introduced individual information use and political behavior as the key process dimensions of SDM. Furthermore, PEU and cognitive style were defined as the two contextual factors of interest. Overall this provides a conceptual basis that seeks to describe the interaction between environment, organizational and individual level processes with respect to the effectiveness of SDM. Now a theoretical framework is required that allows for an explanation of the relationships between these variables and ultimately serves for developing testable hypotheses. Broadly speaking, three perspectives for studying SDM exist. These are economic, behavioral and cognitive perspectives, with a number of varied theories existing under each of these perspectives.