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Questions and Answers
What is one main challenge in decision making mentioned?
What is one main challenge in decision making mentioned?
High-quality information is always affordable for decision-makers.
High-quality information is always affordable for decision-makers.
False
What is critical for successful decision-making when dealing with surprises?
What is critical for successful decision-making when dealing with surprises?
Being prepared
Decisions made quickly, often by small groups of isolated decision-makers, lead to large gaps between policy design and __________.
Decisions made quickly, often by small groups of isolated decision-makers, lead to large gaps between policy design and __________.
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Match the following decision-making components with their descriptions:
Match the following decision-making components with their descriptions:
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What does decision-making involve?
What does decision-making involve?
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Incremental decision-making leads to significant changes from the previous status quo.
Incremental decision-making leads to significant changes from the previous status quo.
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What factor can enhance analytical capacity in decision-making?
What factor can enhance analytical capacity in decision-making?
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Rational decision models always account for intangibles in their analyses.
Rational decision models always account for intangibles in their analyses.
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What is the primary goal of the rational decision model?
What is the primary goal of the rational decision model?
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What should decision-makers do to improve the handling of uncertainties, such as those from climate change?
What should decision-makers do to improve the handling of uncertainties, such as those from climate change?
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The ______ model applies when there is a large number of decision-makers and uncertainty about solutions.
The ______ model applies when there is a large number of decision-makers and uncertainty about solutions.
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Match the decision-making models with their descriptions:
Match the decision-making models with their descriptions:
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In the polis, defining goals is usually __________ and ambiguous to gather political support.
In the polis, defining goals is usually __________ and ambiguous to gather political support.
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What type of approach is suggested for decision-making to integrate different considerations?
What type of approach is suggested for decision-making to integrate different considerations?
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Which aspect significantly influences decision-making?
Which aspect significantly influences decision-making?
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Decisions in the polis often involve clear and precise goals.
Decisions in the polis often involve clear and precise goals.
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Groupthink can enhance systematic consideration of alternatives.
Groupthink can enhance systematic consideration of alternatives.
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What is essential for decision-makers to learn from their mistakes?
What is essential for decision-makers to learn from their mistakes?
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Who typically has authority in policy selection?
Who typically has authority in policy selection?
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The process of decision-making often involves ______ among multiple stakeholders.
The process of decision-making often involves ______ among multiple stakeholders.
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Rational decision-making aims to maximize total __________.
Rational decision-making aims to maximize total __________.
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Match the analysis types with their descriptions:
Match the analysis types with their descriptions:
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What role does leadership play in effective decision-making?
What role does leadership play in effective decision-making?
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Which behavior can affect decision-making processes?
Which behavior can affect decision-making processes?
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Utilitarianism judges actions solely based on their results.
Utilitarianism judges actions solely based on their results.
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Public policy decision-making is only influenced by elected officials.
Public policy decision-making is only influenced by elected officials.
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What is the main characteristic of the incremental decision-making model?
What is the main characteristic of the incremental decision-making model?
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Factors such as ______ impact the predictability of decision-making.
Factors such as ______ impact the predictability of decision-making.
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Which of the following is a critique of the rational decision model?
Which of the following is a critique of the rational decision model?
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Study Notes
Decision-Making in Policy and Administration
- Cooperation and Loyalty: Cooperation is vital alongside competition, and loyalty is a key norm in groups and organizations. Information is considered interpretive, incomplete, and strategic, influenced by both passion and logic.
Fundamentals of Decision-Making
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Definition: Decision-making is selecting a course of action from available policy options. This can be positive (e.g., implementing new policies) or negative (e.g., maintaining the status quo).
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Process: Decision-making is a process building on policy formation, distinct from agenda-setting. It involves authoritative resource allocation for specific goals, often with a limited number of key players with legal authority. Implementation and evaluation follow the central decision.
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Public Policy Decision Structure: Public policy decision-making involves multiple policy proposals, decision criteria, comparing and ranking proposals, and selecting an implementable policy option. Context, motivations, and patterns play a significant role.
Actors in Decision-Making
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Technical vs. Political: Decision-making can be more technical than political. Administrators, elected officials, and public managers all influence decisions, often via analysis, technical expertise, and professional advice. Final decisions may be a result of a process of multiple subordinate choices by public managers.
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Indirect Influence: Other actors (professional analysts, experts, consultants, lobbyists) also influence decisions indirectly. Organizational structures are critical, influencing considerations of policy feasibility.
Decision-Making Models
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Rational Decision Model: This model assumes logical reasoning and evidence to choose the option maximizing individual goals and values (most efficient). Critique: neglect of ethics and democratic processes, limited information, and agreement on criteria.
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Incremental Decision Model: This model understands decision-making as a process of conflict, bargaining, and compromise, leading to minor adjustments from the status quo. Existing arrangements, procedures, and practices often favor incremental changes.
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Garbage Can Model: This model applies when many decision-makers and great uncertainty exist regarding problems and solutions. Policy outcomes often reflect the desires of those in power.
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Satisficing Principle: Policymakers choose an acceptable option rather than seeking the optimal one.
Decision-Making Analysis
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Technical Analysis: Analyzing various options for economic assessments to find the most efficient and effective choice. Formal and qualitative cost-benefit models are employed.
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Cost-Benefit Analysis: Dominant criterion is efficiency, evaluating benefits versus costs. All goals must be measurable.
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Multi-Goal Analysis: Explores multiple goals beyond efficiency, separating monetizable and non-monetizable aspects.
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Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Analyzing options when goals are quantifiable but not monetizable.
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Fixed Budget Method: Allocates a budget and selects options offering maximum benefit.
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Policy Design: Analyzing options facilitates policy innovation and identifying possible mitigation strategies.
Biases in Decision-Making
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Groupthink: Conformity pressures can hinder objective analysis and consideration of alternatives.
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Bias toward quantifiable criteria.
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Bias toward positive impacts.
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Bias toward specific impacts by specific groups.
Policy Selection
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Multiple Actors: Several individuals and actors make policy selections. This includes bureaucracy members, legislatures, political executives, and judiciary, each with unique criteria for assessment.
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Different Venues, Resources, and Purposes: Actors operate in different venues with divergent resources, purposes, and standards (e.g., fairness or evidence).
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Bureaucracy: Feasibility, legality, and mandates are crucial.
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Judiciary: Precedents, interpretations, and factual assessments.
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Political: Political expediency, electoral, and legislative support.
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Timing: Time constraints can influence decisions, from quick crisis responses to years-long processes. Difficulty sometimes arises in pinpointing who made decisions and why.
Challenges in Decision-Making
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Inadequate Assessment and Focus: Decisions often lack thorough assessments, focus on limited information, and prioritize short-term outcomes.
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Time Horizons, Information, and Expertise: Short time horizons, insufficient or unreliable information, and limited expertise hinder proper evaluation of options.
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Leadership and Learning: Strong leadership, supporting culture, and routines are essential. Learning from mistakes supports effective decision-making.
Strategies for Effective Decision-Making
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Preparedness for Surprises: Anticipating possible challenges is crucial during policy planning.
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Integrating Considerations: Explicitly defining criteria to assess options, setting measurable standards, and considering impacts along various dimensions (e.g., economic, social, environmental).
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Systematic Analysis: Establishing baselines is a necessary starting point, assessing impacts, and recognizing inherent uncertainties.
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Strengthening Analytical Capacity: Developing policy analysis capacity, making it career-attractive, and utilizing expertise from various sectors improve intra- and interagency collaboration.
Decision-Making in the Polis (Stone, 2008)
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Rational vs. Political Decision-Making: Rational models offer explicit goals and comprehensive consideration; however, political contexts often involve vague and ambiguous goals, controlled alternative frames, and consideration of audience perceptions.
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Issue Framing and Power: Policy makers' decisions are influenced by how different audiences interpret the options; control over framing is a power dynamic.
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Ethical Considerations: Ethical issues (like deontological or utilitarian principles) may influence evaluations besides mere cost-benefit analysis.
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Power Dynamics and Authority: Power distribution, negotiation, and contention are integral for decision-making. Decisions can often not be traced to single actors.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of decision-making in public policy and administration. This quiz covers the processes involved in policy formation, the significance of cooperation and loyalty in organizations, and the evaluation of policy proposals. Challenge your understanding of how decisions shape governance and resource allocation.
