In general, in MBA programs across the world, students are taught causal or predictive reasoning – in every functional area of business. Causal rationality begins with a pre-determined goal and a given set of means,and seeks to identify the optimal – fastest, cheapest, most efficient, etc. – alternative to achieve the given goal. The make-vs.-buy decision in production, or choosing the target market with the highest potential return in marketing, or picking a portfolio with the lowest risk in finance, or even hiring the best person for the job in human resources management, are all examples of problems of causal reasoning. A more interesting variation of causal reasoning involves the creation of additional alternatives to achieve the given goal. This form of creative causal reasoning is often used in strategic thinking.
Effectual reasoning, however, does not begin with a specific goal. Instead, it begins with a given set of means and allows goals to emerge contingently over time from the varied imagination and diverse aspirations of the founders and the people they interact with.
While causal thinkers are like great generals seeking to conquer fertile lands (Genghis Khan conquering two thirds of the known world),effectual thinkers are like explorers setting out on voyages into uncharted waters (Columbus discovering the new world).
It is important to point out though that the same person can use both causal and effectual reasoning at different times depending on what the circumstances call for. In fact, the best entrepreneurs are capable of both and do use both modes well. But they prefer effectual reasoning over causal reasoning in the early stages of a new venture, and arguably, most entrepreneurs do not transition well into latter stages requiring more causal reasoning.
Sarasvathy S.D. (2001), “Causation and Effectuation: Toward a theoretical shift from economic inevitability to entrepreneurial contingency”, Academy of Management Review, Vol. 26, N° 2, P. 243-288.
Read more about effectuation : http://www.effectuation.org/
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