A Cross-Cultural Study on Escalation of Commitment Behavior in Software Projects

One of the most challenging decisions that a manager must confront is whether to continue or abandon a troubled project. Published studies suggest that failing software projects are often allowed to continue for too long before appropriate management action is taken to discontinue or redirect the efforts. The level of sunk cost associated with such projects has been offered as one explanation for this escalation of commitment behavior. What prior studies fail to consider is how concepts from risk-taking theory (such as risk propensity and risk perception) affect decision makers' willingness to continue a project under 

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2000
• Where: MISQ
• Authors: Mark Keil, Bernard C. Y. Tan, Kwok Kee Wei, Timo Saarinen, Virpi Kristiina Tuunainen, Arjen Wassenaar
• Keywords: Appropriate Management Action, Challenging Decisions, MISQ 2000, Project