A Method for Diagnosing the Causes of Escalating Commitment

Abstract

Barry Staw’s (1981) model of escalating commitment is a well-known theoretical explanation of the underlying causes of a decision maker’s decision to recommit. This paper explores the diagnostic utility of Staw’s model and proposes an extended version of the model with a step-by-step approach for using it as an analytical tool. The proposed analytical approach is illustrated using two case studies in which escalating commitment is evident. This study repurposes and extends a well-known, but essentially forgotten, theoretical model and demonstrates how the approach can be used as a diagnostic tool when it is applied to different decision making scenarios.