University of Chile
Modeling the Role of Context Dependency in the Identification and Manifestation of Entrepreneurial Opportunity
Mithani, Murad A. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) | Veloz, Tomas (University of Chile) | Gabora, Liane (University of British Columbia)
The paper uses the SCOP theory of concepts to model the role of environmental context on three levels of entrepreneurial opportunity: idea generation, idea development, and entrepreneurial decision. The role of contextual-fit in the generation and development of ideas is modeled as the collapse of their superposition state into one of the potential states that composes this superposition. The projection of this collapsed state on the socio-economic basis results in interference between the developed idea and the perceptions of the supporting community, undergoing an eventual collapse for an entrepreneurial decision that reflects the shared vision of its stakeholders. The developed idea may continue to evolve due to continuous or discontinuous changes in the environment. The model offers unique insights into the effects of external influences on entrepreneurial decisions.
Analysis of the Web User Behavior with a Psychologically-Based Diffusion Model
Roman, Pablo Enrique (University of Chile) | Velasquez, Juan Domingo (University of Chile)
This work presents a new application of a mathematical theory of psychological behavior from Usher and McClelland and the random utility model from McFadden, to the web user behavior. The model describes the stochastic behavior of a general kind of web users, consisting of the probability of following a hyperlink for a specific length of time. The simulation experiment together with the artificial agent illustrates behavioral patterns characteristic of human subjects.