Exploring the Risks That Affect Decision Makers Today (2001-2010)

Margaret Wood

Enterprise Hall, 418
March 27, 2006, 07:00 PM to 07:00 PM

Abstract:

For the leader, decision making is a charge that cannot be escaped. For those who would prefer to avoid this responsibility, the startling truth is even not making a decision is a decision. An executive has the critical accountability to build a support network that has easy access to pertinent information and carries out decisions in the manner they are intended. The impending risks associated with decision making?particularly in this age of ?I need it yesterday??are strained by the likelihood of misunderstanding and miscommunication. The man-hours (gathering, analysis and prioritization) behind a good decision can be thwarted when there is no strategy on how to make a decision with the information that has been received. This dissertation explores the under-researched question about why organizations?whether big or small, or one that impacts millions or fewer than a hundred?falter as a result of decision making. To change this cycle, this long-neglected dynamic is in obvious need of having light shed upon it. The risks of poor infrastructure lead to damaging results that are obvious yet all-too-often repeated. Those consequences include, but are not limited to: a negative opinion by the very people they are designed to serve and who depend on the responses from decision making; and no trail of important information and processes. Federal agencies, community colleges, and small businesses have resembling concerns when it comes to decision making. It is for that reason that this dissertation addresses the complexities involved with making effective decisions within the community college.