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Behavioral Issues in Multiattribute Utility Modeling and Decision Analysis

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Organizations: Multiple Agents with Multiple Criteria

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems ((LNE,volume 190))

Abstract

The case for the normativeness of decision analysis has primarily been made on logical rather than empirical grounds. In this paper we address several empirical issues relevant to decision analysis in general, and MAU modeling in particular. The first one concerns the need for empirical validations as to premises underlying normative decision theory. The second addresses the nature of multiattribute preference functions, particularly their mathematical complexity or lack thereof. The third issue concerns method bias and the need for a theory of judgmental errors. Finally, some possible meanings of relative importance judgments are examined, as these underlie several multiple criteria decision making methods. Although the various issues raised will not be fully resolved here, it is hoped that their identification and preliminary discussion will inspire subsequent research.

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Schoemaker, P.J.H. (1981). Behavioral Issues in Multiattribute Utility Modeling and Decision Analysis. In: Morse, J.N. (eds) Organizations: Multiple Agents with Multiple Criteria. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, vol 190. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45527-8_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45527-8_29

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-10821-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-45527-8

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