Too Many Majors Case Study
Jeffrey King
Florida Institute of Technology
25 September, 2015
How would you characterize the decision-making styles of the two committees that considered the enrollment management problem? Would you characterize either of these processes as more effective or appropriate to the decision under consideration? The normative model of decision making was utilized by the Ad Hoc committee. The normative model set criterions for assessment. This model is normally obtained void of personal opinions and emotions when the users have collected enough information to define the problem (Baron, J. 2012). The department chairperson had already noticed and defined the problem completing the first two portions of the formulization stage of this process; however, the committee appeared to make a concerted effort to isolate a multitude of information concerning enrollment management plans. This committee then dove right in to the second stage of this decision making model and identified what they considered to be three viable options to address enrollment management. Their charge was completed prior to the evaluation and implementation stages. The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee leaned more towards the intuitive decision making model. This committee did not scientifically or systematically approach the issue to which they were assigned. They opted to go with Dr. Tanaka’s thirty years of experience and trust in his insight. In today’s fluid environment, the intuitive model is being adopted by more and more managers, in fact in one study corporate executives attributed 80 percent of their success to intuition according to Khandelwal and Taneja (2010). A combination of these two models would best suit this situation. Leaning on the experience, the tenured professor approaching this issue scientifically would allow the group to come to a well-rounded conclusion without fracturing the culture of the organization.
What advice would you give Chelsea McGuire for the upcoming faculty meeting? Should she retain her typically participative decision-making style? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of style in this type of decision-making situation? Ms. McGuire should approach this meeting with an open mind and refrain from making predetermined judgments or decisions. Cashman and Brousseau (2009) point out most successful executives adapt their decision making styles throughout their careers to solidify their value within an organization. The decision making style provides personnel the opportunity to contribute to the decision providing a sense of involvement. This is very effective in addressing future personnel issues if the decision could have a negative impact on them in the future. This style also provides alternative perspectives to make better informed decisions. The main disadvantage of this style is it slows the process and is time intensive.
Are there specific decision-making strategies that would be helpful in making an effective decision regarding enrollment management? What communication behaviors would you watch for in the upcoming meeting to assess whether an effective decision-making process is being used? The additive feature strategy would be the most effective strategy to attack enrollment management. This strategy utilizes the important features of the possible choices systematically evaluating each option. This method best suits the complexity of the enrollment management issue. The Undergraduate Curriculum Committee demonstrated the Illusion of unanimity and direct pressure on dissidents symptoms. On the surface the group seemed to collectively bow to Dr. Tanaka’s hasty conclusion without questioning the logic behind it. The science behind the statistics outlining their problem charge appears solid and this decision requires more analysis.
How does this case illustrate the various kinds of organizational knowledge and the knowledge management process? Given what you know of this department, do you believe it will be able to adapt to more changes in the organizational environment? How do you think this department would react, for instance, to a call for more online courses as a way to serve even more students? The Ad Hoc committee’s identified various means utilized by the organization to address enrollment management through systems and procedures demonstrating the establishment’s synoptic knowledge. Their cultural knowledge was outlined in each department’s innate ability to operate and explain their system to address enrollment management. The department’s disparate approaches to the issue they were assigned to address displays characteristics leading to future cultural challenges that will be amplified by any environmental change. Their ability to adapt to environmental changes will require a strong and determined leader. The addition of more students would only perpetuate the current issue and be a detriment to the current success of the department. The staff would attempt to comply with the organization to maintain their image but would eventually address their frustrations.

References
Baron, J. (2012). The point of normative models in judgment and decision making. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 577. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00577
Khandelwal, P., & Taneja, A. (2010). Intuitive Decision Making in Management. Indian Journal Of Industrial Relations, 46(1), 150-156.
Cashman, K., & Brousseau, K. (2009). Lens of Success. Leadership Excellence, 26(8), 11.