Behavioral Economics—Virtual
- Dates: 09–20 OCT 2023
- Format: Virtual Synchronous learning at designated live online session times.
- Fee: $10,000
The program fee covers tuition, e-books, and online case materials.
This program includes live online classes, self-paced work, discussion groups, and virtual networking. Download brochure for detailed schedule.

"This course will give you greater insight into human behavior and decision-making theory—it's all about people."
Summary
Bestselling books such as Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational and Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow have opened the world's eyes to the quirky and error-prone ways in which people make important decisions. Building on the work of those scholars and many others in the field of behavioral economics, this live online program prepares you to influence the behavior of customers and employees—and become a bigger contributor to your organization's success.

This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
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Summary
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Bestselling books such as Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational and Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow have opened the world's eyes to the quirky and error-prone ways in which people make important decisions. Building on the work of those scholars and many others in the field of behavioral economics, this live online program prepares you to influence the behavior of customers and employees—and become a bigger contributor to your organization's success.
This program is eligible for the Certificate of Management Excellence. Learn More
DetailsExpand AllCollapse All
Understand the actions of your customers and employeesUnderstand the actions of your customers and employees
- Discover the subtle forces driving choices and become your organization's go-to problem-solver
- Develop a user-oriented, outcome-driven mindset
- Improve employee motivation
- Design products and services that create more value for your customers
Improve decision-making and performance across your organizationImprove decision-making and performance across your organization
- Enhance organizational performance by using "choice architecture" to alter the context in which employees make decisions
- Facilitate rapid cycles of idea generation
- Test the potential impact of proposed actions
Expand your personal and professional networkExpand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Understand the actions of your customers and employees
- Discover the subtle forces driving choices and become your organization's go-to problem-solver
- Develop a user-oriented, outcome-driven mindset
- Improve employee motivation
- Design products and services that create more value for your customers
Improve decision-making and performance across your organization
- Enhance organizational performance by using "choice architecture" to alter the context in which employees make decisions
- Facilitate rapid cycles of idea generation
- Test the potential impact of proposed actions
Expand your personal and professional network
- Extend your network by connecting and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
- Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
Who Should Attend
- Executives with at least 10 years of experience who lead functional areas such as product development, human resources, talent management, marketing, advertising, business development, or sales
- Individuals responsible for product design, product management, or risk management
This program may be of particular interest to past participants of Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision-Making, as the programs are highly complementary.
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact on your organization.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
- Executives with at least 10 years of experience who lead functional areas such as product development, human resources, talent management, marketing, advertising, business development, or sales
- Individuals responsible for product design, product management, or risk management
This program may be of particular interest to past participants of Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision-Making, as the programs are highly complementary.
Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster teamwork and amplify the program's impact on your organization.

Program for Leadership Development participants earn 5 PLDA Points on completion of this program.
Leaders in Virtual Learning
When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.
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Leaders in Virtual Learning
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When you participate in a virtual HBS Executive Education program, you benefit from a powerful learning experience carefully designed with a virtual setting in mind. Through live, synchronous program sessions you'll engage directly with our renowned faculty to learn from their latest research, gain actionable takeaways, and facilitate your growth. In addition, virtual discussion groups will connect you to a global group of peers and build your network.
Admissions Criteria and Process
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
Answering Your Questions
Application Submission
Application Review
Fee, Payment, and Cancellations
What You Will Learn
This program is structured to improve your analytical and decision-making skills and help you bring the principles of behavioral economics to your organization's most pressing challenges. Through dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, role-playing, simulation exercises, and insights from guest speakers, you will discover how subtle yet powerful changes to the decision-making environment can influence outcomes.
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What You Will Learn
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This program is structured to improve your analytical and decision-making skills and help you bring the principles of behavioral economics to your organization's most pressing challenges. Through dynamic faculty presentations, case studies, role-playing, simulation exercises, and insights from guest speakers, you will discover how subtle yet powerful changes to the decision-making environment can influence outcomes.
Program Format
The program takes place over two weeks, with live, synchronous classes between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM ET Monday through Friday. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. In addition, participants can expect to spend up to five hours in virtual discussion groups. There is also ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
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Program Format
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The program takes place over two weeks, with live, synchronous classes between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM ET Monday through Friday. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. In addition, participants can expect to spend up to five hours in virtual discussion groups. There is also ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.
Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately two weeks prior to program start.
Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All
Understanding decision scienceUnderstanding decision science
- Examining the psychological biases and motivation problems that get in the way of making wise decisions
- Analyzing the power of group dynamics in mitigating or exacerbating the counterproductive effects of psychological biases
- Studying the behavioral limitations that make it difficult for people to pay attention to the right information at the right time
Shaping the behavior of customers and employeesShaping the behavior of customers and employees
- Understanding why choice contexts can sometimes act as barriers to successful decision-making
- Examining effective strategies for aligning customer and employee actions with your organizational goals
Applying behavioral economics in your organizationApplying behavioral economics in your organization
- Identifying your organization's specific behavioral challenges—and exploring potential solutions
- Defining the essential skills that enable a "choice architect" to influence the behavior of other organizational stakeholders
- Exploring roadmaps that incorporate behavioral economics into everyday work
Understanding decision science
- Examining the psychological biases and motivation problems that get in the way of making wise decisions
- Analyzing the power of group dynamics in mitigating or exacerbating the counterproductive effects of psychological biases
- Studying the behavioral limitations that make it difficult for people to pay attention to the right information at the right time
Shaping the behavior of customers and employees
- Understanding why choice contexts can sometimes act as barriers to successful decision-making
- Examining effective strategies for aligning customer and employee actions with your organizational goals
Applying behavioral economics in your organization
- Identifying your organization's specific behavioral challenges—and exploring potential solutions
- Defining the essential skills that enable a "choice architect" to influence the behavior of other organizational stakeholders
- Exploring roadmaps that incorporate behavioral economics into everyday work
Special Program FeaturesExpand AllCollapse All
Behavioral Task Force SessionsBehavioral Task Force Sessions
Behavioral Task Force Sessions
The HBS Advantage
Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Terrie F. and Bradley M. Bloom Associate Professor of Business Administration
Tandon Family Professor of Business Administration
Professor of Business Administration
Lee J. Styslinger III Associate Professor of Business Administration
Harold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration
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The HBS Advantage
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Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.
Faculty ChairTerrie F. and Bradley M. Bloom Associate Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & MarketsFacultyTandon Family Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & MarketsProfessor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & MarketsLee J. Styslinger III Associate Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Negotiation, Organizations & MarketsHarold M. Brierley Professor of Business Administration
HBS Unit:Marketing
Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Your Peers Expand Your Learning
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Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.Global PerspectiveExperience the world in your classroom.5%Africa14%Asia Pacific24%Europe9%Latin America4%Middle East44%North America5%Africa14%Asia Pacific24%Europe9%Latin America4%Middle East44%North AmericaTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.Insights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.14%Professional Services13%Financial11%Nonprofit Services11%High Technology9%Consumer Products6%Health Care4%Education4%Raw Materials / Energy3%Communications3%Real Estate / ConstructionTop Industries RepresentedInsights from a range of industries ignite your thinking.14%Professional Services13%Financial11%Nonprofit Services11%High Technology9%Consumer Products6%Health Care4%Education4%Raw Materials / Energy3%Communications3%Real Estate / ConstructionExperienceExperienceYears WorkedYears WorkedExperienceYears WorkedLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 yearsLess than 10 yearsLess than 10 years10-14 years10-14 years15-19 years15-19 years20-24 years20-24 years25-29 years25-29 years30-34 years30-34 years35-39 years35-39 years
