Two Class Discussion Questions

¶ … Vandenbosch reading resource with particular attention to the concepts of plausibility and intended and unintended consequences in designing solutions for organizational problems. Each of the conclusions in a logic diagram will point to possible alternative solutions. How does a researcher know that a solution idea is plausible? Why should a researcher identify and evaluate intended and unintended consequences of all the solution ideas?

Vandenbosch (2003) offers many insights into the process of formal decision making including the challenging the very premise of going with your instincts. It is common for the cultural notion of "trusting your instincts" to be prevalent in many different ideologies, such as in management or business. However, for high-level decision making, the opposite of trusting your instincts is probably closer to the truth. The author states clearly that the consensus regarding problem solving involves three necessary steps (Vandenbosch, 2003):

1. Understand the problem

2. Identify alternative solutions

3. Select the best among them

Another insight that the author provides is that even if you go through these steps formally, if you already have a solution that you are favoring, you might be tempted to skip over alternatives by not taking them seriously or creating straw man solutions.

The author address plausibility from the perspective of it being used as a criterion in the correct stage of problem solving. They challenge the idea of traditional brainstorming on the basis that it can simply create too many potential ideas that can detract from the overall potential for a planning session to be effective. For example, two hundred different creative ideas will be harder to dissect than ten that are grounded with some plausibility and practicability in mind. Despite the limitations to the brainstorming process, using local, practical, and possible ideas should determine the following steps. To further access the options, the concepts of plasticity, intransitivity, and design bias are given as useful checks before the final selection criteria, usually including factors such as time, cost, quality, and risk, are applied.

Topic 2: (1PAGE)

Examine the logic diagram you created during Unit 4 in your Applied Research Project. At this stage Findings, Conclusions, and Ethical Implications were identified. Now practice by identifying and discussing 2 or 3 solution ideas that are based on your conclusions. Discuss how you believe these solutions should be the action taken in addressing the organizational problem which you have been investigating since Unit 1.

The findings of the literature review identified several different models of management that exist in the academic literature as well as some of the characteristics that are associated with these models. One of the problems that may arise is that incorporating several different models may not be plausible given the complexities that would arise in trying to compile and interpret the findings of research based on multiple models. For example, some of the leadership models that are available include models such as trait theory, situational theory, transformational leadership, behavioral theory, competencies theory, network theory of leadership and many more (Turner & Muller, 2005). Beyond the leadership model, likeability and positivity were also influential factors (Bergman, Westerman, & Daly, 2010). Furthermore, positive reinforcers were identified and can further add to the complexity as managers who had a strong showing of emotional intelligence, leader intelligence, and positive personality (Cavazotte, Moreno, & Hickmann, 2012).