Distributed decision making is described in this book from a hierarchical
perspective. A unified approach allows to treat such seemingly diverse fields as
multi-level decision making, hierarchical production planning, principal agent
theory, hierarchical negotiations, and dynamic games within the framework of a
general pair of functional equations. In doing so, the book covers the range
from a multi-level one-person decision problem to a multi-person antagonistic
planning and leadership situation. These general ideas are illustrated with
numerous examples and real-life planning situations. In addition, the treatise
provides a theoretical foundation for important problem areas in business
administration, such as hierarchical production planning, the problems of design
and implementation, modern concepts