ØAADM3700 Decision-Making Processes in Organizations Course description

Decision-making affects all levels of organizations, yet many managers and employees have never received systematic training in how to make effective decisions. Research shows that we often repeat the same mistakes and are influenced by biases, emotions, and social factors.

This course provides students with insight into how decisions are made by individuals and groups, and how decision-making can be improved. The course is based on insights from behavioral economics, social and cognitive psychology and teaches students to avoid common decision traps and to use practical tools, such as nudging, for better decisions. The course focuses on how psychological processes, emotions, power, and social influence shape decisions at the individual and group levels.

Teaching is practice-oriented, using case analyses, group discussions, and simulations that reflect real-world decision-making situations in organizations.

Language of instruction is English.

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After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has insight into decision theory and how bounded rationality influences choices.
• understand cognitive biases, heuristics, and decision-making traps.
• has knowledge about social influence, power, emotions, and group dynamics in decision-making.
• is familiar with decision-making tools and strategies to minimize errors.

Skills

The student

• can identify decision-making problems and pitfalls in organizations, and assess risks and uncertainties.
• can apply research-based methods to improve decision-making processes.
• can apply techniques, including nudges and choice architecture techniques, to improve judgment and decision-making in organizational contexts.

General Competence

The student can

• critically evaluate behavioral decision-making theories and assess their applicability in organizational contexts.

Teaching consists of lectures, discussions, case analyses, and group-based simulations. Students will work individually and in groups to apply theory in practice.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: Written case analysis. Students will work in groups of 3-4 to analyze a real-world decision-making process, including giving and receiving peer feedback to enhance reflection and learning. The submitted work will have a scope of 2000 to 2500 words.
• Coursework 2: Oral group presentation. Student groups will present and discuss their analyses for the class. The oral presentation will have a scope of 10 minutes.

The aim of the coursework requirements is to equip students with practical skills to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios while ensuring academic progression in the course.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit/present an improved version by a given deadline.

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 4 hours.

No aids are permitted.

The aim of the course is to provide the students both with the theoretical basis of cross-cultural communication and to develop their practical skills in dealing with cross-cultural encounters in the global workplace.

Language of instruction is English.

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25 % of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Lewend Mayiwar