George Shackle, a British economist, defined the concept of decision-making in the 1970s as «a cut between the past and the future,» offering an alternative to cope with uncertainty. In simple terms, it involves organizing and planning for the future with the goal of achieving a specific end.
Other theorists, such as William Greenwood, suggest that it is «the choice among several possible alternatives, taking into account the limitation of resources and with the intention of achieving a desired outcome.»
Regardless, making a decision involves choosing the best option among the possible alternatives. It is a process that begins with identifying a problem, during which it is necessary to analyze the alternatives, apply the most appropriate one, and subsequently evaluate whether or not the intended goals have been achieved.
Real-life examples of successful decision-making include Henry Ford’s decision to increase his workers’ salaries, which allowed him to attract more talent and improve his company’s productivity, and the decision made by Apple’s executives to bring back Steve Jobs after firing him, ultimately leading to the company’s significant development in later years.
Therefore, decision-making within a company is a critical process for productivity and organizational development, helping to choose between different alternatives or solutions to a problem, and defining the organization’s focus and identifying necessary actions to meet objectives.