Decision-making can be defined as the process of selecting the most appropriate course of action from various alternatives in order to achieve targets and objectives (Anderson et al., 2015). Decision-making constitutes the centre of all managerial functions. Whereas other functions of the managers such as organising, controlling and implementing, depends heavily on the decision-making. According to numerous researches, majority of everyday decisions are made based on intuitions; however, crucial and complex decision cannot be taken based on intuition alone (Aragonés-Beltrán et al., 2014).
In recent times, successful organisations implements rich decision-making process, that is, they not only collect and process data, but also take decisions with the help of state-of-the-art decision methods. Decision-making acts as the foundation of every organisation and thus they must take proper decisions in order to achieve and maintain a competitive advantage.
This report firstly examines the concept of sound decision-making and the factors associated with it. Secondly, it explores the various techniques used in order to ascertain the appropriate course of action. Thirdly, the report deals with a complex process of decision-making in a group and identified the tools and techniques that best suits the decision-making process.
Management Decision-Making:
Irving Janis, in his book ‘Crucial Decisions’ has provided evidence, which proves that a poor quality decision-making process results in undesirable results. He also emphasised that if crucial decisions are taken based on simplistic strategy then it will definitely lead to disastrous outcomes due to gross miscalculations and misconceptions (Bouyssou et al., 2013). Making a decision becomes difficult and complex, when it involves various competing objectives. It can be said that the complexity of a decision depends on the increasing number of objectives. Evidence from researches conducted suggest that it becomes difficult for an individual to take a decision when numerous objectives are involved and therefore it has been recommended to provide some structured methods in order to help them to “think through their choices” (Chai, Liu & Ngai, 2013).
BOGSAT (a bunch of old guys and gals sitting around talking) is the most frequently used decision-making method in recent times. However, there are numerous problems attached with this method though it involves various preparations like gathering information, detailed analysis and others (Eastin et al., 2015). According to Peter Beck, BOGSAT sessions are mostly dominated by leaders and are hardly facilitated. Here the leader leads the group and even if he is wrong, the other group members rarely challenge him (Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2015). However, with changing times, most organisations are abandoning the BOGSAT method and are adapting other effective methods.
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a widely successful method that has been formulated after years of researches and studies conducted on decision-making process (Goetsch & Davis, 2014). Thomas Saaty, a world-renowned mathematician, developed Analytic Hierarchy Process in order to help ordinary individuals make complex decisions (Kaner, 2014). It emphasises on the achievement of objectives, which in turn leads to rational decisions. A rationale decision can be defined as one, which best achieves the multiple objectives of the decision maker. It primarily focuses on objectives rather than on criteria, alternatives and attributes (Martinez-Legaz, & Soubeyran, 2016).
Analytic – can be defined as the function of separating any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements. On the other hand, unlike analysis, synthesis helps in combining or putting together parts into whole.
Hierarchy – L.L.Whyte in his book “Hierarchical Structures”, has defined hierarchy as the most powerful method of categorization adapted by humans for forming an order of entities, experience, information and observations (Monghasemi et al., 2015).
Process – process can be defined as a series of activities, functions or changes that brings about a result or an outcome.
Decision-Making and Problem Solving:
Better problem solving skill not only results in less worry, but it also leads to more successful problem solving. Thomas Kayser, in his book ‘Building Team Power’, suggests six steps for accomplishing successful problem solving. These steps are as follows (Pérez et al., 2014) –
Decision-making forms a crucial part of most human endeavours. It is not only connected to problem solving and is related to other managerial functions such as setting a new target or a new standard of performance and others. Most managerial activities such as strategic planning, problem solving and allocation of resources involve one or more components of the decision making process. According to Herbert Simon, the decision-making process can be categorised into three phases (Lunenburg, 2011) –
The Intelligence phase involves the identification of problem or opportunity. This includes a wide variety of functions such as listening to customers, employees, suppliers and others, performing SWOT analysis, brainstorming the differences between the current situation and the future situation and scanning of the environment for enquiring the internal and external databases (Rosemann & vom Brocke, 2015). There are individuals who perceive the current situation as an opportunity rather than a problem; however, this does not affect the operational functions. In addition to this, it is often useful to provide a concise problem statement, that will include the main symptoms of the problem, however, the cause and alternative solution of the problem should not be specified over here.
The Design phase involves the identification or structuring of alternative solutions or courses of action for the problem or opportunity. There are various methods to generate alternative solutions, this include
Choice involves selection of one or a combination of alternatives. Choosing or selecting the ‘best’ alternative or a combination of alternatives is perhaps the most difficult part of the decision-making process. Until recently, choice has been made based on intuitions; however, with the development of Analytic Hierarchy Process the scenario has changed. In this step, AHP helps in systematically identifying the best solution from the various alternatives.
The Process of Decision-Making:
Process can be defined as a series of activities, changes and functions that helps in bringing about an end or a result. Decision-making process evolves over time and mostly involves repetition (Solomon, 2014). There are three phases that very well portrays the real world complexities involved in the decision-making process.
Analysis vs. Synthesis – most organisations has managers, technicians and experts assigned at various level of the operational function, who are capable of analysing one or two aspects of a complex decision. However, few organisations or companies are capable of performing a synthesis of all these analysis. An organisation must be able to synthesise in order to make a rational decision that helps in achieving their multiple objectives.
Quantitative vs. Qualitative – all decisions involve both qualitative and quantitative factors such as performance, customer satisfaction, cost and employee morale. Decision-makers must have the capability to synthesis quantitative benefit-cost analysis with their qualitative aspects. This would help them to capitalize on both the information gathered from benefit-cost analysis and their experience and knowledge about the qualitative aspects. Thus, it is extremely important for an organisation to be able to synthesise both quantitative and qualitative factors.
Objectivity vs. Subjectivity – most important decisions involve more than one objective, in such a case the relative importance or value of one or more objectives influences the choice or selection of the best alternative. Moreover, since the relative importances of the objectives are subjective in nature, therefore every important decision can be termed as subjective. According to the creator of Analytic Hierarchy Process, Thomas Saaty, objectivity can be defined as agreed upon subjectivity (Tayal, 2013).
Linear vs. Non-Linear – another aspect of decision-making process that has often been ignored is the need to take into considerations non-linearities. While evaluating various alternatives in order to find the best solution one must consider the utility of each alternative that is related to each objectives. Another important aspect that must be taken into account is that utilities must always be non-linear.
Problem Solving as an Individual Employee:
Here I am about to describe a challenging situation that needs to be tackled urgently and in an effective manner. Given below are the steps required in order to assess the problem, the related objectives and to choose the correct alternative that would solve the problem efficiently.
Scenario – I am the manager of a fast food restaurant that is located in a commercial area with lots of offices and industries around it. Hence, the lunch hours are the busiest time of the day when a large number of office goers come in order to have snacks and a light meal. It is during lunch hours that the restaurant makes maximum profit. However, a new fast food restaurant is opening up next to my restaurant. How do I retain my customers and thus prevent financial losses?
Retaining the existing customer: – firstly, lowering the prices of the food items; secondly, providing lunch specials and thirdly, arranging office and home delivery.
Gaining new customers :– here the course of action that must be implemented by the restaurant in order to attract new customers and thus increase their profit margins are as follows, firstly, promoting the restaurant through advertisements; secondly, giving office and home delivery; thirdly, arranging for extra entertainment such as television with sports channel.
To expand the existing business: – this third objective if achieved successfully will help both in retaining the existing customer and in attracting new customers. In addition to this, entering into new ventures will also increase the profit level to a large extent. The alternatives that best accomplish the goal are as follows; firstly, arranging for extra entertainments such as screens with sports channel including indoor games such as billiard and chess. Such an arrangement will provide the customers with the facilities of an restaurant along with sports bar. Secondly, letting people know about this dose of extra entertainment through advertisement; thirdly, along with sports entertainment they can also include new food items in their menu.
If the restaurant is successful in overcoming the first challenge, then as a manager I will definitely venture into other areas in order to strengthen the foundation of my business. This can be achieved by entering into new areas and undertaking new ventures. Depending on the profit level, the restaurant can be modified by incorporating some extra entertainments for the customers. It can provide their customers with sports entertainment such as by arranging for indoor sports like chess and billiards and putting up screens presenting various kinds of sports. These innovative techniques will take the business on a larger scale and will provide it with a competitive advantage thus enabling it to overcome greater challenges in the future.
Conclusion:
Thus it can be concluded by saying that decision-making is a crucial aspect of most human endeavors. Decision-making process involves a series of steps or functions. Various models has been developed by eminent philosophers in order to assess the decision-making process which in turn helps the decision makers to take the appropriate steps in order to solve the problem or challenge in an effective manner.
References:
Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., Williams, T. A., Camm, J. D., & Cochran, J. J. (2015). An introduction to management science: quantitative approaches to decision making. Cengage learning.
Aragonés-Beltrán, P., Chaparro-González, F., Pastor-Ferrando, J. P., & Pla-Rubio, A. (2014). An AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process)/ANP (Analytic Network Process)-based multi-criteria decision approach for the selection of solar-thermal power plant investment projects. Energy, 66, 222-238.
Bouyssou, D., Dubois, D., Prade, H., & Pirlot, M. (Eds.). (2013). Decision Making Process: Concepts and Methods. John Wiley & Sons.
Chai, J., Liu, J. N., & Ngai, E. W. (2013). Application of decision-making techniques in supplier selection: A systematic review of literature. Expert Systems with Applications, 40(10), 3872-3885.
Eastin, M. S., Kahlor, L. A., Liang, M. C., & Abi Ghannam, N. (2015). Information?Seeking as a Precaution Behavior: Exploring the Role of Decision?Making Stages. Human Communication Research, 41(4), 603-621.
Ferrell, O. C., & Fraedrich, J. (2015). Business ethics: Ethical decision making & cases. Nelson Education.
Goetsch, D. L., & Davis, S. B. (2014). Quality management for organizational excellence. Upper Saddle River, NJ: pearson.
Kaner, S. (2014). Facilitator’s guide to participatory decision-making. John Wiley & Sons.
Lunenburg, F. C. (2011). Decision making in organizations. International journal of management, business and administration, 15(1), 1-9.
Martinez-Legaz, J. E., & Soubeyran, A. (2016). Convergence in a sequential two stages decision making process. Bulletin of the Iranian Mathematical Society, 42, 25-29.
Monghasemi, S., Nikoo, M. R., Fasaee, M. A. K., & Adamowski, J. (2015). A novel multi criteria decision making model for optimizing time–cost–quality trade-off problems in construction projects. Expert systems with applications, 42(6), 3089-3104.
Pérez, I. J., Cabrerizo, F. J., Alonso, S., & Herrera-Viedma, E. (2014). A new consensus model for group decision making problems with non-homogeneous experts. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems, 44(4), 494-498.
Pettigrew, A. M. (2014). The politics of organizational decision-making. Routledge.
Rosemann, M., & vom Brocke, J. (2015). The six core elements of business process management. In Handbook on business process management 1 (pp. 105-122). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Solomon, M. R. (2014). Consumer behavior: Buying, having, and being (Vol. 10). Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Tayal, S. P. (2013). Engineering design process. International Journal of Computer Science and Communication Engineering, 1-5.
We provide professional writing services to help you score straight A’s by submitting custom written assignments that mirror your guidelines.
Get result-oriented writing and never worry about grades anymore. We follow the highest quality standards to make sure that you get perfect assignments.
Our writers have experience in dealing with papers of every educational level. You can surely rely on the expertise of our qualified professionals.
Your deadline is our threshold for success and we take it very seriously. We make sure you receive your papers before your predefined time.
Someone from our customer support team is always here to respond to your questions. So, hit us up if you have got any ambiguity or concern.
Sit back and relax while we help you out with writing your papers. We have an ultimate policy for keeping your personal and order-related details a secret.
We assure you that your document will be thoroughly checked for plagiarism and grammatical errors as we use highly authentic and licit sources.
Still reluctant about placing an order? Our 100% Moneyback Guarantee backs you up on rare occasions where you aren’t satisfied with the writing.
You don’t have to wait for an update for hours; you can track the progress of your order any time you want. We share the status after each step.
Although you can leverage our expertise for any writing task, we have a knack for creating flawless papers for the following document types.
Although you can leverage our expertise for any writing task, we have a knack for creating flawless papers for the following document types.
From brainstorming your paper's outline to perfecting its grammar, we perform every step carefully to make your paper worthy of A grade.
Hire your preferred writer anytime. Simply specify if you want your preferred expert to write your paper and we’ll make that happen.
Get an elaborate and authentic grammar check report with your work to have the grammar goodness sealed in your document.
You can purchase this feature if you want our writers to sum up your paper in the form of a concise and well-articulated summary.
You don’t have to worry about plagiarism anymore. Get a plagiarism report to certify the uniqueness of your work.
Join us for the best experience while seeking writing assistance in your college life. A good grade is all you need to boost up your academic excellence and we are all about it.
We create perfect papers according to the guidelines.
We seamlessly edit out errors from your papers.
We thoroughly read your final draft to identify errors.
Work with ultimate peace of mind because we ensure that your academic work is our responsibility and your grades are a top concern for us!
Dedication. Quality. Commitment. Punctuality
Here is what we have achieved so far. These numbers are evidence that we go the extra mile to make your college journey successful.
We have the most intuitive and minimalistic process so that you can easily place an order. Just follow a few steps to unlock success.
We understand your guidelines first before delivering any writing service. You can discuss your writing needs and we will have them evaluated by our dedicated team.
We write your papers in a standardized way. We complete your work in such a way that it turns out to be a perfect description of your guidelines.
We promise you excellent grades and academic excellence that you always longed for. Our writers stay in touch with you via email.