Paperback
Decisions
The Complexities of Individual and Organizational Decision-Making
9781788110402 Edward Elgar Publishing
Decisions is a concise and easy-to-read introduction to a highly significant and intriguing topic. The concepts and analyses presented in the book provide useful tools for those who want to understand decision processes or effectively influence their outcomes.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
Decisions is a concise and easy-to-read introduction to a highly significant and intriguing topic. The concepts and analyses presented in the book provide useful tools for those who want to understand decision processes or effectively influence their outcomes.
In this accessible book, Karin and Nils Brunsson explore the intricacies of decision-making for individuals and organizations. When, how and why do they make decisions? The authors identify four distinct ways of reasoning that decision makers use. The consequences of decisions vary: some promote action, others impede it, and some produce more responsibility than others. With in-depth discussions of rationality, justifications and hypocrisy, the authors show how organizational and political decision processes become highly complex phenomena.
Drawing together research from several fields, it provides useful reading and essential knowledge for students and scholars throughout the social sciences and for everyone who wants to understand their own decisions and those of others.
In this accessible book, Karin and Nils Brunsson explore the intricacies of decision-making for individuals and organizations. When, how and why do they make decisions? The authors identify four distinct ways of reasoning that decision makers use. The consequences of decisions vary: some promote action, others impede it, and some produce more responsibility than others. With in-depth discussions of rationality, justifications and hypocrisy, the authors show how organizational and political decision processes become highly complex phenomena.
Drawing together research from several fields, it provides useful reading and essential knowledge for students and scholars throughout the social sciences and for everyone who wants to understand their own decisions and those of others.
Critical Acclaim
‘This rich, imaginative little book offers fascinating insights into the intricacies of decision-making by both individuals and organizations, and a sobering appraisal of the delayed Swedish response to the 2004 tsunami. Any new book by Karin Brunsson and Nils Brunsson is a welcome treat, and this one is a gem!’
– Walter W. Powell, Stanford University, US
‘Decisions offers an excellent introduction to the complexities of decision-making. Decades of research on decision-making are succinctly summarized and presented in a refreshing and easily accessible way. A must read for researchers, students and practitioners who want to get an overview of the latest insights into the particularities of individual and organizational decision-making.’
– David Seidl, University of Zurich, Switzerland
‘Decision-making is often a confusing and confused process. Emotions, judgements and prejudices can all play a part, whether a decision is made by an individual, a group or an organization. The study of decision making, however, doesn’t have to be either confusing or confused as this excellent book eloquently demonstrates. The four logics of decision-making identified here provide the authors with a framework which enables them to explain, in clear and simple terms, decisions that appear complex, confusing or irrational.’
– Yiannis Gabriel, University of Bath, UK
''This book will offer value for scholars with a general interest in management, particularly those approaching it from more technical fields. It might also provide a useful way into the
field for bachelor students, or specialist practitioners taking on their first managerial roles, who might be surprised by the emphasis on non-rational decision-making. They will also find the many
topics and examples illuminating, and a good starting point for wider and more detailed reading on this deep and fascinating subject.''
– Organization Studies
– Walter W. Powell, Stanford University, US
‘Decisions offers an excellent introduction to the complexities of decision-making. Decades of research on decision-making are succinctly summarized and presented in a refreshing and easily accessible way. A must read for researchers, students and practitioners who want to get an overview of the latest insights into the particularities of individual and organizational decision-making.’
– David Seidl, University of Zurich, Switzerland
‘Decision-making is often a confusing and confused process. Emotions, judgements and prejudices can all play a part, whether a decision is made by an individual, a group or an organization. The study of decision making, however, doesn’t have to be either confusing or confused as this excellent book eloquently demonstrates. The four logics of decision-making identified here provide the authors with a framework which enables them to explain, in clear and simple terms, decisions that appear complex, confusing or irrational.’
– Yiannis Gabriel, University of Bath, UK
''This book will offer value for scholars with a general interest in management, particularly those approaching it from more technical fields. It might also provide a useful way into the
field for bachelor students, or specialist practitioners taking on their first managerial roles, who might be surprised by the emphasis on non-rational decision-making. They will also find the many
topics and examples illuminating, and a good starting point for wider and more detailed reading on this deep and fascinating subject.''
– Organization Studies
Contents
Contents: The Quake 1. Decisions 2. Individuals as decision makers 3. Organizations as decision makers 4. The Consequences of Decisions 5. Complex decision processes After the tsunami References Index
