Understanding the Process: Using In-Class Data to Reflect on a Decision-Making Exercise

Abstract

Decision-making is a critical topic in any management and organizational behavior course. Navigating and understanding the various processes and influences on decision-making, however, can be complicated. This article revises and expands on a common “employee ranking” format activity. It uses in-class student data to systematically debrief individual and group decision-making processes to facilitate learning. This simple activity uses minimal resources, clarifies (often highly nuanced) decision-making discussions, and puts specific focus on psychosocial concepts and processes. Instructors can use the provided templates and supplements to customize the activity information. We also include a downloadable tabulation sheet to automate the analysis of the student data in real time.