Over time, thought processes and decision making styles evolved and were shaped by theological, philosophical, political, social, and environmental factors and trends. Recently, advances in technology have borne an unprecedented influence on our social environment. Contemporary thinking inevitably reflects this influence and moves us from a linear, cause -effect rationale to broader perspectives that encompass new methodologies and an understanding of networked and complex social relations.
Handbook of Decision Making is the first text of its kind to include the mainstream methods and theories of decision making, describe the influence of theological and philosophical traditions, and offer contemporary scientific theories. Decision making styles and processes vary with context and no single theory is comprehensive enough to capture the complexity involved. The editor identifies common patterns and the variations that different contexts may generate. The text covers the mainstream methods of decision making such as cost-benefit analysis, linear programming, and queuing. It also explains alternative and emerging methods such as geographic information systems, Q-methodology, narrative policy analysis, methods of creative thinking, and conflict management. Practical applications of the methods discussed are illustrated by examples of decision making practices in budgeting, public administration, drug trafficking, and information systems.
Handbook of Decision Making offers an understanding of decision making processes in a broader social context, which will enable decision makers to find the best methods for a given circumstances.
Decision Making: An Overview of Theories, Contexts, and Methods, G. Morçöl
Part II: Theories of Decision Making
The Contribution of Public Choice Analysis to Decision Making Theories in Public Administration: Past, Present, and Future, T. Heikkila
Policy Making Through Disjointed Incrementalism, M. Hayes
Bounded Rationality and Organizational Influence: Herbert Simon and the Behavioral Revolution, M. S. Mingus
Practical Reasoning and Action: Simon's Administrative Behavior in Contex, P. Nieuwenburg
Discourse, Decision, and the Doublet: An Essay on Crisis of Modern, T. J. Catlaw
Evolution, Cognition, and Decision Making, S. A. Peterson
Punctuated Equilibrium Models in Organizational Decision Making, S. E. Robinson
Democratic Theory as a Frame for Decision Making: The Challenges by Discourse Theory and Governance Theory, E. Sørensen
Governing Policy Networks, E. H. Klijn and J. F. M. Koppenjan
Complex Systems Thinking and its Implications for Policy Analysis, K. A. Richardson
The New Sensibilities of Nonlinear Decision Making: Timing, Praxis, and a Feel for Relationship, L. F. Dennard
Decision Making in Interdisciplinary Studies, W. H. Newell
Foundations of Confucian Decision Making, D. Jones
Decision: Nishitani on Time and Karma, J. M. Wirth
Theology and Decision Making: Judaism, A. A. Marcus
Part III: Contexts of Decision Making
Decision Making in Public Management Networks, R. Agranoff and M. Yildiz
Political Decision Making within Metropolitan Areas, J. W. Meek
The Rules of Drug Trafficking: Decision Making in Colombian Narcotics Enterprises, M. Kenney
Information, Technology, and Decision Making, J. W. Dickey and I. A. Birdsall
Decision-Making Models Used in E-Government Projects: Evidence from Turkey, M. Yildiz
Budgeting as an Institutional Practice: Modeling Decision Making in the Budget, E. Choudhury
Strategic Planning and Decision Making, O. Meilich and A. A. Marcus
Part IV: Methods of Decision Making
Experiments and Quasi-Experiments for Decision Making: Why, How, and How Good? M. M. Mark and J. Mills
Cost Benefit Analysis, T. F. Nas
Linear Programming and Integer Programming: Choosing the Optimal Mix of Alternatives, D. K. Gupta
Queuing Theory and Simulations, D. K. Gupta
Decision Making in Geographic Information Systems, A. Haque
Q Methodology and Decision Making, D. W. Durning and S. R. Brown
Methods of Assessing and Enhancing Creativity for Public Policy Decision Making, G. Morçöl
Participatory Decision Making: Using Conflict Management Theories, Methods, and Skills to Overcome the Rational and Irrational Sources of Conflict, S. Summers Raines
Narrative Policy Analysis for Decision Making, E. Roe
Index
Biography
Goktug Morcol
The handbook is the first text of its kind to include the mainstream methods and theories of decision making as well as the influence of theological and philosophical traditions, and contemporary scientific theories. Decision making styles and processes vary with context and no single theory is comprehensive enough to capture the complexity involved. The editor identifies common patterns and variations that different contexts may generate. The text covers mainstream methods of decision making such as cost benefit analysis, linear programming, and queuing. It also explains alternative and emerging methods such as GIS, Q-methodology, narrative policy analysis, methods of creative thinking, and conflict management. Practical applications of the methods discussed are illustrated by examples of decision making practices in budgeting, public administration, drug trafficking, and information systems. Presenting a variety of different perspectives on rationality in decision making, this handbook offers an understanding of those processes in a broader social context, which will enable decision makers to find the best methods for a given circumstance.
-- Abstracts of Public Administration, Development, and Environment, October 2010