Neuroaccounting: the neuroscience contribution to analyze the budget decision making process - doi: 10.4025/enfoque.v31i3.17320

Abstract

The classical models in economics does not explain how psychological variables affect the rational decision making process. This study explores decision-making model developed from recent studies in the field of neuroscience. Employing qualitative approach, the study captures the stated behavior of six accounting and finance managers from large companies when they take decisions about the budget level. Data were collected by semi structured interviews and analyzed with content analysis. The results show that managers use traditional methods for make decisions both to capture and to analyze them, as expected. However, in the study it was identified that what they call feeling is the use of conditioned responses (maintained by the consequences) or pattern recognition in the environment (and these patterns are not necessarily analyzed in rational terms). The results also suggest that decisions are affected by emotional aspects and social influence. More studies should be done to increase the scope of the research, being the strict scope one of its limitations.