Admission requirements
None
Description
Decision making is a critical determinant of organizational effectiveness whether we are discussing
a football team, an army, a street gang or a multinational corporation. Decision making has a long
and distinguished scientific tradition. Much of the academic research into decision making covers
processes of the individual. However, organizational decision making obviously is not purely an
individual process. Group dynamics, interpersonal hierarchy, and management structures impact
organizational decision making. As a result, making effective decisions is as much an art as it is a
science. It entails insight into human psychology, group interaction, and the dynamics of
organizational goals. This course will touch upon these subjects to help you understand the
mechanics of decision making as an individual, in a group, and in an organization. Group
assignments (or guest lectures) will link the academic insights to stories from the real world.
Topics of this course are:
1. Psychology of decision making: rational and non-rational processes (Kahneman, Ariely)
2. Group dynamics
3. Organizational and institutional decision making
Course objectives
By the end of the course, the student should be able to:
Understand rational decision making situations
Understand cognitive biases and their effects on “irrational” decision making
Understand group dynamics in small groups
Understand the impact of management and reward structures on decision making
Timetable
The schedule can be found on the LIACS website
Detailed table of contents can be found in blackboard.
Mode of instruction
(guest) lectures
group assignments
presentations
Assessment method
Presence and active participation 10%
Two group assignments 20%
One individual assignment 20%
One written exam 50%
Blackboard
Behavioral and Analytical Decision Making
Reading list
Required reading:
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. London: Penguin Books.
Ariely, D. (2008). Predictably irrational. The hidden forces that shape our decisions. New
York: Harper CollinsAdditional articles and book chapters, available on Blackboard
Signing up for classes and exams
You have to sign up for classes and examinations (including resits) in uSis. Check this link for more information and activity codes.
There is a limited capacity for students from outside the master ICT in Business.Please contact the Programme Co-ordinator.
Contact information
Programme Co-ordinator ms. Judith Havelaar LL.M