1st Edition

Handbook of Decision Making

Edited By Goktug Morcol Copyright 2006
    664 Pages 41 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    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.

    Part I: Overview and Introduction
    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