Group DecisionMaking

1
Group Decision-Making

• Abby Hall Dan Miller

2
Group Decision-Making Requirements

• Effective decision-making in groups depends on
• 1) Developing a clear understanding of the
  decision situation.
• 2) Developing a clear understanding of the
  requirements for an effective choice.
• 3) Thoroughly and accurately assessing the
  positive qualities of alternative solutions.
• 4) Thoroughly and accurately assessing the
  negative qualities of alternative solutions.

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Advantages of Group Decision-Making

• Advantages
• 1) Greater pool of knowledge
• Two minds are greater than one
• 2) Different perspectives
• Differing points of view
• 3) Greater comprehension
• Accepting/understanding final decision based on
  all options
• 4) Increased acceptance
• Sense of ownership
• 5) Training ground
• Hands on experience

4
Disadvantages of Group Decision-Making

• Disadvantages
• 1) Social Pressure
• Not wanting to rock the boat
• 2) Domination by a vocal few
• Controlled by the loudest and longest
• 3) Logrolling
• Putting ones vested interest ahead of the group
• 4) Goal Displacement
• Ignoring the primary task in favor of secondary
  considerations
• 5) Group think
• Putting unanimity before sound judgment

5
When Group Aided Decision Making is Appropriate

• Manager should involve members if
• If additional information would increase the
  quality of the decision
• If acceptance is important
• If people can be developed through their
  participation

6
Group Problem-Solving Techniques

• Consensus
• Everybody agrees
• Brainstorming
• Generate a quantity of ideas
• Seven Rules of Brainstorming
• Nominal Group Technique
• Generating ideas and evaluate solutions
• The Delphi Technique
• Generating ideas from experts
• Computer-Aided Decision Making

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Computer-Aided Decision Making

• Examples of Computer-Aided Decision Making
• Chauffeur-driven
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire
• Group-driven
• Using e-mail/internet to obtain feedback
• Group-driven meetings

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Computer Mediated Communication

• Article Computer Mediated Communication Group
  Decision-Making
• Tammie Ulrich, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Key Points
• Use of computer mediated communication is on the
  rise in corporations
• May not be as effective as face-to-face
  communication
• Group decision-making process can be vulnerable
  to ones ability to persuade another through
  discussion
• Group Decision making can be influenced by status
• Computer Mediated Communication removes many of
  the barriers in traditional group communication

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Summary

• Managers need to use a contingency approach when
  determining when to conclude others in decision
  making
• Computer-Aided Decision Making can be more
  efficient by reducing roadblocks and cutting down
  on time
• Decision making can be simple, just use common
  sense!

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Group Decision-Making

• The End