Constructing New Representations and the Implications for Decision Making Theory: Learning from Archimedes

• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/emre.12290
• Author: Gilbert Giacomoni
• Published date: 01 March 2019
• Date: 01 March 2019

Constructing New Representations and the

Implications for Decision Making Theory:

Learning from Archimedes

1

GILBERT GIACOMONI

Institut de Recherche en Gestion, Université Paris-Est Créteil, France and AgroParisTech, Paris, France

In general decision making theory modeling inferential reasoning, there is an information asymmetry that arises

from thefact that the universe of possibles,which is assumed to be stable, is not formalized as conditionalin operative

rules. Standingas a classic counter-example is an innovational model (the Archimedes thought experiment) in which

the universe of discourse, that is, the reference universe, must be reframed and extended. Here, new theoretical

foundations are put forth: (1)a formalized concept of a reference universe;(2) a two-fold rationality,with or without

an excluded middle, to operate within a reference universe; or (3) a non-reflexive identity entailed in a reframing

process,adding a new dimension to theexisting knowledge base. Thisopens outlooks for modelinga process whereby

new representations for decision making can be constructed. Moreover, it is a process that constitutes a unique

vantage point from which to observe innovative situations and to contemplate the link to paradox theory in

management research.

Keywords: innovation; representation; decision making; knowledge; reflexivity; inference

Introduction

In general, whether dealing with a statistical theory of

decision making, management science, design science,

or economics, especially when complex situations are

being analyzed and decision makers are called upon to

make optimized choices (e.g. minimal loss, maximum

gain, etc.), it is common practice to rely on scientific

models, notably those emanating from operations

research. What these models have had in common,

regardless of whether they are time-dependent, is a

theoretical basis that is axiomatized by relying on related

concepts of ‘the universe’(or ‘the world’), ‘the state of

nature’(or ‘state of the world’), or the ‘development of a

state of nature’(or a true ‘state of the world’)where

knowledge is partitioned as if it were always there,

somewhere, in one part or another of the ‘universe of

possibles’(Savage, 1954; Simon, 1996; Aumann, 1999;

Samuelson, 2004). Any alternative models that fail to

embrace these basic scientific notions are either ignored

or simply deemed irrational.

Furthermore, the ability to construct new

representations, to be able to exploit outside information

and adapt it for thepurposes of other fields of knowledge,

is a key to adaptation (Cohen andLevinthal, 1989; Helfat

and Winter, 2011).Such construction can be seen, then,as

a designing act insofaras, according to Larousse,it entails

forming abstract entities in one’s mind, arranging the

various elements involved and then putting them, or

causing them to be put, into practice. It can also be seen

as the abilityto grasp, assimilate and make a mentalimage

of something in such a manner,and to derive such an idea

or interpretation. For Simon (1996: 111), ‘Everyone

designs who devises courses of action aimed at changing

existing situations into preferred ones.’Innovation is a

dynamic process leading to the conception of an idea, a

behavior or a new object, bringing about its assimilation

and widespread application, whereby knowledge

accumulates through learning and interactions (Oslo

Manual, 2005; de Beaune, 2015). The level of innovative

capacity is also linked to an increase in the stock of

knowledge through absorption of elements of novelty

(Oslo Manual, 2005). Similarly, innovation goes hand and

hand with uncertainty, if simply because knowledge,

ignorance and uncertainty are intertwined (Nelson and

Winter, 1982; Oslo Manual, 2005; Sauce, 2010). In such

an ever-changing universe, scientific foundations shift and

Correspondence Gilbert Giacomoni, AgroParisTech, 16 rue Claude

Bernard, 75005Paris, France. E-mail gilbert.giacomoni@agroparistech.fr

1

Translatedfrom French by Randall Cherry

European Management Review, Vol. 16, 69–80, (2019)

DOI: 10.1111/emre.12290

©2018 European Academy of Management