Competence, power and conflict in group decision making

Abstract

Three Total-Quality-Management (TQM) and Theory-of-Constraints (TOC) principles applicable to the group decision process are: global view; process improvement; and simple tools. A global view of Multi-Criteria-Decision-Making (MCDM) by a group involves, beside the domain of MCDM, issues such as learning – prioritizing the accumulation of pertinent information; expert resolution – dealing with conflicts within the group; game theory – designing the decision payoff structure; and motivation – assuring that the decision makers will contribute to a successful realization of the final decision. Process improvement requires the definition of proper decision quality metrics, the accumulation of historical data, and the rationalization of the decision making process. The principle of simple tools, required for successful implementation of the decision process, implies that the effort of data accumulation be minimized and that process principles be easily understood. The Intensity-Polarity-Voting-Model (IPVM) provides global view of the decision making group by monitoring its position, conflict and competence. The IPVM improves the decision making process by setting conflict thresholds for the beginning and resolution of the process, by setting an agenda and by monitoring its progress. The IPVM computational mechanism is a simpler tool than sophisticated game theory or information economics mechanisms. It mutates the intuitive notion of center of gravity to produce a simple, intuitive and robust tool. The IPVM provides three measures reflecting the group's stance on an issue: the group's position on the issue; the intensity with which the group holds to that position; and the polarity, or discord, associated with that issue. While these metrics are less sophisticated than the Bayesian model, it is argued that they are more robust, implementable, and easier for practitioners to understand. The IPVM's intensity and polarity measure can be aggregated across individuals, criteria or alternatives. The IPVM is demonstrated to be a mathematical generalization of hand count votes or simple averaging. We explore its relationship with established operations research models.