DECISION AND ORGANIZATION - PROCESSES OF STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING AND THEIR EXPLANATION

In: Public administration: an international quarterly, Band 67, Heft 4, S. 373-390

Abstract

STRATEGIC DECISIONS SHAPE THE COURSE TAKEN BY AN ORGANIZATION, WHETHER IT BE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OR THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AN ANALYSIS IS REPORTED OF 150 CASES OF THE MAKING OF SUCH DECISIONS IN BOTH PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY OWNED ORGANIZATIONS. THREE TYPES OF DECISIONMAKING PROCESS ARE IDENTIFIED, SPORADIC, FLUID, AND CONSTRICTED. DIFFERENCES DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER UNDER DECISION, AND TO THE NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION, ARE EXAMINED. DIFFERENCES IN THE PROPENSITY TO SPORADIC DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLICLY OWNED ORGANIZATIONS ARE DESCRIBED.