DECISION MAKING BIASES AND ERRORS AMONG MUSLIM GROUPS AND SECTS IN BANGLADESH: A MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Different Muslim groups/sects in Bangladesh are very intolerant to other groups/sects where Islam teaches brotherhood and unity. This study tried to see the issue from a management perspective, especially in the area of decision making. The study tried to identify the decision-making biases and/or errors among Muslim groups/sects in Bangladesh, and their impacts on their decision-making process. The study adopted a model developed by Kieren Jamieson and Paul Hyland (2006). This study followed a qualitative approach. It interviewed 20 Islamic scholars and unity initiators who are working for establishing brotherhood and unity among Muslim groups/sects in Bangladesh. Guidelines have been used while conducting a face-to-face interview. Firstly, the study tried to find whether there are biases and/or errors in the decision-making process among different Muslim groups/sects in Bangladesh, and we found some serious biases and/or errors that can surely lead to biased/inappropriate decisions about other Muslim groups/sects. Secondly, the study tried to specifically find the nature and impacts of those biases and/or errors according to the research framework. It categorized those biases and/or errors in information bias, cognitive bias, risk bias, and uncertainty bias. Those biases and/or errors occurred in the information load, and in the decision-making process. Cognitive biases, the study found, have the most impacts on decision making. From the study, we developed a model to present the decision-making biases and/errors, and their impacts on decisions Muslim groups/sects in Bangladesh take.