Critical Core Skills / Thinking Critically > Decision Making: Library Resources

Courage and Conviction: Ethical Dilemmas, Decision-Making, and Resolutions by Soo Ping Lim Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you would be breaching a law or policy if you help a person in need? Do you stand aside when someone needs assistance, thinking you have no obligation to lift a finger? Is there a way to deal with an ethical dilemma without fear of being mired in the consequences? How would you answer an inconvenient question?Courage and Conviction deals with the subject of ethical dilemmas in personal and work life. It opens with a discussion on the nature of ethical dilemmas and then discusses moral reasoning and what it takes for effective decision-making in an ethical dilemma. It provides a guide for resolving an ethical dilemma with a step-by-step resolution framework and a tactical approach. Several chapters look at ethical dilemmas in the context of professional work, running corporations and public service. The book concludes by discussing a common ethical dilemma, namely, facing an inconvenient question, and providing a set of rules for decision making by a person exercising authority.Written in a readable and accessible style and peppered with cases and stories to illustrate concepts the chapters in the book end with a bullet-point summary, and one or two questions for readers to reflect on to deepen their understanding of concepts and their application.

Business Analytics by Jeffrey D. Camm; James J. Cochran; Michael J. Fry; Jeffrey W. Ohlmann Develop the analytical skills that are in high demand in businesses today with Camm/Cochran/Fry/Ohlmann's best-selling BUSINESS ANALYTICS, 4E. You master the full range of analytics as you strengthen descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytic skills. Real examples and memorable visuals illustrate data and results for each topic. Step-by-step instructions guide you through using Microsoft Excel, Tableau, R, and JMP Pro software to perform even advanced analytics concepts. Practical, relevant problems at all levels of difficulty further help you apply what you've learned. This edition assists you in becoming proficient in topics beyond the traditional quantitative concepts, such as data visualization and data mining, which are increasingly important in today's analytical problem solving. MindTap digital learning resources with an interactive eBook, algorithmic practice problems with solutions and Exploring Analytics visualizations strengthen your understanding of key concepts.

Creative Problem Solving for Managers by Tony Proctor Stimulating and developing the creative potential of all members of an organisation is widely seen as contributing to performance and results. This prestigious textbook provides a complete overview of the creative problem-solving process and its relevance to modern managers in the private and public sectors. It introduces ideas, skills and models to help students understand how creative thinking can aid problem solving, and how different techniques may help people who have different thinking and learning styles. This updated fifth edition includes fresh case studies, exercises and suggested reading, alongside extensive diagrams and thought-provoking questions. A new chapter considers the use of heuristics in decision-making situations faced by managers, and examines how aspects of creative problem solving can relate to such situations. It also introduces a complex in-tray exercise, which demonstrates how the conflicting demands on an individual manager can be considered in practice. Supporting PowerPoint slides for lecturers are available for each chapter. Creative Problem Solving for Managers will continue to be an ideal resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying problem solving, strategic management, creativity and innovation management, as well as managers looking to develop their decision-making abilities.

The Little Black Book of Decision Making by Michael Nicholas The secret to making the right call in an increasingly complex world The decisions we make every day - frequently automatic and incredibly fast - impact every area of our lives. The Little Black Book of Decision Making delves into the cognition behind decision making, guiding you through the different ways your mind approaches various scenarios. You'll learn to notice that decision making is a matter of balance between your rational side and your intuition - the trick is in honing your intuition to steer you down the right path. Pure reasoning cannot provide all of the answers, and relying solely on intuition could prove catastrophic in business. There must be a balance between the two, and the proportions may change with each situation. This book helps you quickly pinpoint the right mix of logic and 'gut feeling,' and use it to find the best possible solution. Balance logic and intuition in your decision making approach Avoid traps set by the mind's inherent bias Understand the cognitive process of decision making Sharpen your professional judgement in any situation Decision making is the primary difference between organisations that lead and those that struggle. The Little Black Book of Decision Making helps you uncover errors in thinking before they become errors in judgement.

Unlocking Creativity by Michael A. Roberto Tear down the obstacles to creative innovation in your organization Unlocking Creativity is an exploration of the creative process and how organizations can clear the way for innovation. In many organizations, creative individuals face stubborn resistance to new ideas. Managers and executives oftentimes reject innovation and unconventional approaches due to misplaced allegiance to the status quo. Questioning established practices or challenging prevailing sentiments is frequently met with stiff resistance. In this climate of stifled creativity and inflexible adherence to conventional wisdom, potentially game-changing ideas are dismissed outright. Senior leaders claim to value creativity, yet often lack the knowledge to provide a creative framework. Unlocking Creativity offers effective methods and real-world examples of how the most successful organizations create cultures of innovation and experimentation. Best-selling author and scholar Michael Roberto presents a thorough investigation of organizational obstacles to creative thought. Highly relevant to the growth crises many enterprises face in today's economic landscape, this book examines how to break barriers to spark creativity and foster new ideas. This insightful and informative work allows business executives, senior managers, and organization leaders to: Recognize the six organizational mindsets that impede creativity and innovation Learn how to tear down the barriers that obstruct the creative process Create an environment that allows talented people to thrive Encourage creative collaboration in teams throughout an organization Leaders do not have to conceive innovative ideas, but rather open the path for curious and creative employees within their organization. Unlocking Creativity: How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions aids organizations in removing obstacles to the creative process and helps to form an atmosphere of imagination and innovation.

The Art of Judgment by John Adair An essential guide for any business leader looking to hone, develop and master the art of judgment. In The Art of Judgment, John Adair draws upon his decades of experience and expertise to provide a practical and fascinating insight into how you can harness the full potential of your judgement. The success of any organization or individual depends upon the sound judgment of its leadership. Too often, this elusive characteristic has been misperceived as an unchangeable, entrenched element of our character. But in fact, judgment is an art--one that can be honed, developed and mastered. Adair's in-depth methods are summarized in 10 key principles, which include: - Thinking to Some Purpose - Experience - the Seedbed - Truth - the Leading Star - How to Share Decisions - The Role of Values With the divisiveness of public discourse and the complexities of modern business, it is more difficult than ever to be sure that you're making the right decision. Adair provides a clear pathway to improving your judgment, beginning with an exploration of the machinations behind decision-making, before demonstrating how you can develop a stronger understanding and control of your judgment. This is an essential companion for any business leaders interested in making the best decisions for them and their organization. Good judgment is the secret behind any success, and also has the potential to accelerate one's own career. This book provides insight, expertise and inspiration for anyone looking to cultivate and develop their art of judgment.

The Problem-Solving, Problem-Prevention, and Decision-Making Guide by Bob Sproull Each day, managers and employees are confronted with a plethora of real problems and decisions that are creating issues suchs as lost throughput, poor quality, personnel problems, and material shortages.How they approach these daily quandaries will determine how successful they are at resolving problems and making effective decisions. It is human nature for managers to solutions before they even understand the nature of the problems they are trying to solve. As a result, they end up making blind decisions that change perfectly acceptable processes for incorrect reasons. The real secret to solving problems does not depend upon the number of sophisticated statistical tools that one applies -- The secret to solving most problems is to keep the approach simple and uncomplicated. Many managers and employees make mistakes because they fail to do what Toyota does so effortlessly -- . They fail to perform the 'genmba walk,' during which they go to see the actual process, understand the work, ask questions, and learn. By following a structured approach, and using only simple tools, most problems can be solved, effective decisions can be made, and problems prevented. The cornerstones of this book are three detailed roadmaps for solving problems, preventing problems, and making effective decisions. Each roadmap contains a step-by-step explanation on how to solve existing problems, how to prevent future problems, and how to make effective decisions. The book provides real case studies to illustrate each of the techniques presented in the book.