Collective And Individual Decision Making ProcessesWhile observing human behaviour, we are often amazed at how the same set of decision making processes will enable two different people to arrive at two different decisions, and on the other hand different processes will help two human beings arrive at the same decision. We have throughout been emphasizing the complexity of organizational and human behaviour. There are many parameters by which we can attempt to segmentize human behaviour, but the segments often overlap each other and most of us are combinations of various segments.
Having said that, it is clear that this diversity of human behaviour is also evident in the decision making process followed by human beings. A simplified explanation of a decision making process is one where all available options are considered and then a solution is reached. But this very simple explanation encompasses within it a lot of thought processes, and external factors that influence a decision. Let us study the factors that influence decisions within an organization both on an individual and collective level. On a collective level, the performance of an organization is dependent on the process whereby decisions are reached. The process maybe autocratic – whereby most decision are imposed from on top, with obedience on the part of the subordinates taken for granted. This kind of decision making process leads to poor results, since there is no role being played by the majority and they do not feel that they are an important part of the organization. But if the organization follows a supportive decision making process, whereby decisions are taken collectively or individually at all levels, and are supported by the management then, this leads to a much improved performance on the part of the organization. On an individual level, most people follow a basic process before reaching a decision. They identify the situation that requires a decision to be taken; they collect all the information that is needed; they sort and evaluate the information; and then they reach a decision on which alternative should be followed. This process can take a few seconds or can take a couple of hours depending on the parameters of the problem. Human decision making processes are complex, to say the least. The study of organizational behaviour helps us to understand these processes, and make them more efficient.
Patricia Stevens owns and operates Organizational Behaviours Organizational Behavior Website organizationalbehaviours.com. Learn more about Organizational Behaviors. This article may only be used if the author bio and links are included with the article.
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