Individual vs. Group Decision Making

Assignment 2 (Due in Week 6)

Purpose:

In week four we examined biases that occur in making decisions as individuals and the effect they can have upon the process. In week five, we focused on individuals making decisions within an organization and in week six group decision making within the organization.

The purpose of this assignment is to have the student demonstrate how individuals and groups can have differing ways of making decisions and when each should be used in business to its best effect.

Instructions:

Step 1: Review “How to Analyze a Case Study” under Week 4 Content.

Step 2: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced, 12-point font. The final product will be between 5-6 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page.

Step 3: Review the grading rubric for the assignment

Step 4: Follow this format:

• Title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor’s name;
• Introduction paragraph in which the decision process is described and its significance in business. The introductory paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper but is typically written after writing the body of the paper (Questions students responded to above). View this website to learn how to write an introductory paragraph: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan/intro.html
• Body Paragraphs
• Summary paragraph. A summary paragraph restates the main idea(s) of the essay. Make sure to leave a reader with a sense that the essay is complete. The summary paragraph is the last paragraph of a paper.

Step 5: In writing a case study, the writing is in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person

Step 6: In writing this assignment, students are asked to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content.

Step 7: In writing this assignment, students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes. Learn to paraphrase by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html

Step 8: Read critically and analyze the scenario provided under Week 6 Content.

Step 9: Write down or highlight key facts from the scenario. Consider making an outline to capture key points in the paper.

Step 10: In your paper, respond to the following elements of decision making:

• Apply the decision process to create a decision statement;
• Explain the factors in play for the father and daughter that could affect the decision making;
• Explain the pros and cons of group and individual decision making;
• Explain the factors (e.g. bias, consequences, decision making styles) at work in the case for the could affect decision making for a team;
• Discuss the authority the team should have and why. Discuss the best type of group decision making team for this situation. Who should comprise the team;

Step 11: Using the grading rubric as a comparison, read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.

Step 12: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing.

• Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
• Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
• Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.

Step 13: Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.