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Effects of process and outcome accountability on escalating commitment: A two-study replication.

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This study investigated escalating commitment, finding that accountability for decision processes or outcomes did not replicate previous results. Two experiments failed to demonstrate any effect of accountability on this decision-making bias.

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Area of Science:

  • Decision Science
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Escalating commitment is a bias where decision-makers persist in failing ventures.
  • Previous research suggested accountability for decision processes reduces, while outcome accountability increases, this bias.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extend prior findings on escalating commitment by testing interactive effects of process and outcome accountability.
  • To investigate the robustness of Simonson and Staw's (1992) seminal findings on accountability and escalating commitment.

Main Methods:

  • Two experiments were conducted, closely resembling the original study's materials and procedures.
  • The second experiment employed a stronger accountability manipulation and an increased sample size.
  • Participants' decision-making behavior related to escalating commitment was assessed under different accountability conditions.

Main Results:

  • Neither experiment successfully replicated the original findings regarding the effects of accountability on escalating commitment.
  • No statistically significant effects of accountability for decision processes or outcomes were observed in either experiment.
  • The results indicate a potential lack of robustness in the original study's conclusions.

Conclusions:

  • The findings question the replicability and generalizability of previous research on accountability interventions for escalating commitment.
  • Further research is needed to understand the boundary conditions and mechanisms underlying escalating commitment and accountability.
  • Decision-making research should critically evaluate the robustness of established effects.