Applying Human Nature to Improve Innovation Outcomes. Actionable Advice Based on Evolved Psychological Mechanisms.

The role of psychological factors and innate influences on decision-making has become a popular topic within a diversity of management sub-disciplines including innovation. This is not surprising given all innovation initiatives and outcomes are expressly dependent on the decision processes of individuals and the psychological factors that influence them. This thesis aims to determine if a robust theory of motivation and decision-making exists or can be developed that yields both coherent guidance for practitioners and can form the basis for consensus among researchers on the role of psychological factors and decision making in innovation outcomes. To achieve this aim, multiple research methods were applied including semantic field analysis, bibliometric analysis, and the development and synthesis of nomological networks of evidence. Leveraging the collective results, Evolutionary Choice Theory is proposed as the optimal theory of motivation and decision-making for use by innovation researchers and practitioners considering the influence of psychological factors. The thesis further advances the Consilience by Semantic Field method as a new and efficient research method for identifying innate or evolved psychological mechanisms that overcomes the key limitations of current theories based on evolved psychological mechanisms, nomological networks of evidence, and multidisciplinary, meta-empirical, meta-epistemological foundations. Finally, this thesis provides pragmatic guidance for practitioners.