Know Thyself - An Explorative Study on Mora/Identity in Decision Making

2015

Being a person that keeps a gratitude journal for myself every day, it is my pleasure that for

once I can share this gratitude with a broader audience. This thesis is not only the result of

five months of research and writing - it is a result of my journey. And I have not gone

through this journey alone; this journey contains a lot of gratitude and love for others.

First of all, I would like to thank my supervisor Professor Knut Ims for sharing his pearls of

wisdom, both when it comes to this research project and life in general. Thank you for

showing me a different road to business studies and for introducing me to the everyday

practice of gratitude and the value of authentic meetings. Thanks for the continuous

encouragement and support throughout the process of writing this thesis.

Thank you to my family and close friends for showing so much love and support. Thanks to

my parents for giving me unconditional love and the feeling of safety wherever I am in this

world, preparing me for all the true meetings and the magic that happens when your mind is

open and your heart is trusting. A special thanks to my dear friend Derek Musial for being an

infinite source of positive emotions and happiness. Never underestimate the power of smiles

and giggles, and the value of keeping the playful child within you. I hope you will never grow

up.

Thank you to my interviewees for being open, honest, giving and brave. I hope that I have

treated your vulnerability and trust with the respect and care you deserve.

Thank you to NHH for adding both troughs and peaks to my journey, from the life lessons of

competition and comparison to the self exploration for a meaningful life. Thanks for

challenging me - through challenges comes change and learning. And thank you to

Middlebury Institute of International Studies for showing me different perspectives on

business and for teaching me that I have the whole world at my feet and there are countless

possibilities to both do good and do well.

I am grateful that I could spend three months in Monterey, California, doing research and

writing this thesis. I am grateful for the opportunity to go back to Monterey, for my supervisor

Knut being supportive of this decision, and for all the inspiring and loving people that came

into my life in Monterey.