The impact of evolved psychological mechanisms on innovation and adoption: A systematic literature review

Studies of the impact of psychological factors and cognitive decision processes, which are often regarded as micro-foundations of innovation and adoption, are a dominant theme in the recent innovation literature. Across a range of disciplines, analysis of the role of evolved psychological mechanisms (EPM) in decision-making has led to dramatic changes in our understanding of motivation and the mechanisms of decision-making. However, the emerging literature applying these findings to innovation and technology management has not been thoroughly assessed. Given the substantial advances in psychology and economics generated by the application of an EPM lens, we undertake a systematic review of innovation, adoption, and resistance literature in which EPMs are applied or considered. This paper synthesizes the existing literature, describes the influence of EPMs on decisions involving new ideas or technologies, proposes Evolutionary Choice Theory (ECT) as a parsimonious and consilient theory of decision-making, and offers pragmatic insights for practitioners to support consistent and effective managerial interventions.