The purpose of this study was to explain variability among decision making processes in a public organization using the decision making model introduced by Astley et al. (1982). They integrate the two theoretical perspectives with regard to decision making processes, the cognitive or behavioral and the political. The cognitive aspect is represented by the concept of "topic complexity" and the political aspect by the concept of "political cleavage." / In order to provide evidence of the applicability of this model to public organizations, the study was designed to examine decisions made within the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS) Headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida. Three major questions were addressed in this study: (1) Can differing patterns exist for carrying out the decision making process? if so, (2) Can these patterns be distinguished from one another? and (3) How can such variation be explained? / Results of the statistical analyses performed indicate that the two explanatory variables examined, political cleavage and topic complexity, are not able to distinguish between patterns of decision making processes. Contrary to what Astley et al. (1982) suggest, interaction of the Department of HRS with its environment is based more upon coordination and cooperation than conflict and contest. In this context, topic complexity of an issue takes on different meaning. What might appear to be a highly complex issue can really be a simple decision when examined within the content of institutionalized practices and procedure. Thus, environmental constraints and the set of assumptions and laws governing interactions are more important in shaping decision making processes than the complexity of an issue. / Finally, three patterns of decision making as a process were identified. These patterns were determined by characteristics and constraints (publicity, deadlines, etc.) typical of public organizations that appear to be more important in distinguishing patterns of decision making process than topic complexity and political cleavage. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 46-04, Section: A, page: 1086. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1985.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75561 |
| Contributors | SOLTANI, GITA., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 229 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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