How I Handled the Problems Using Managing under Uncertainty Theories - Essay Example

Personal Case Study Reflection Name: Institution: Introduction Decision making is a process that needs attention of an individual to attend to a situation that requires a prompt solution (Fitzgerald, 2013). As a result, situations give rise to issues that calls for attention of the decision maker. This paper presents a critical thinking of a situation I found myself in with friend. It represents a situation where I had to decide whether to buy a personal computer (lap top) or a desktop. Such situations require individuals to develop critical thinking prowess. In this case, we were involving in a joint buying of the computer and my friend needed my final decision which machine to buy. In short, we were looking for computer that could satisfy our needs. In this case, we needed a computer which could enable us handle both class work and personal needs. However, there emerged issues that made it difficult to implement this decision which the paper discusses in details. Concisely, this paper presents a personal reflection of how I handled the situation using different theories of decision making. This is important since the manner in which I handled the situation would later prove useful to both of us. Background of the problem Modern education relies heavily on the internet or online learning podiums. Our major problem was to decide and choose a special computer technology that would meet our needs. In this case, we needed a computer that would be most reliable. This meant that we needed a machine that would be easy to carry around while visiting different places of study. On the other hand, the two of us had been considering online research and the possibility of visiting scientific data bases like science like that have latest academic journals to improve our further research. We needed a computer with the fastest processor abilities with regard to the internet that would enable us to easily manage assignment deadlines as well as speedy researches (Arckerman, 2013). There were many factors to consider and thus we found ourselves in the dilemma on which machine to purchase. However, my friend had to rely on my decision since I have special knowledge about computers which could enable us choose the best computer technology to meet both school work and personal needs. Eventually, I settled for personal computer basing my decision of various factors. Nonetheless, there were some issues that arose from this decision. Firstly, energy reliability of this computer was a factor to consider as I had to choose from amongst a variety. Secondly, I had to handle the problem of computer varieties by coming with tangible reasons to convince my friend. Finally, we were restricted to our financial constraints and I had to settle on a price keeping in mind the type and features of the computer that satisfied our need. In my opinion, Laptop HP ProBook-15.6”-Core i5 3230 (Arckerman, 2013) could meet our technological needs. How I handled the problems using managing under uncertainty theories Decision tree theory of handling risks and uncertainties Critical decision making requires individuals to have good skills of reflective thinking. Firstly, I had to use the decision tree to make conclusions. To arrive at the decisions about the three issues, I used the decision tree model that is a tree showing courses of action (Byrd & Gustke, 2011). Each of the branches represents possible decision. In addition, this structure shows how choices leads to the next possible action and branches indicate mutually exclusive options. The tree clarifies and finds answers to complex problem situations by allowing users to take multi-solution problems and put them in easy format. This shows the evident relationship between decisions or events. The first problem was the energy reliability of the computer since it is the determinant of the lifespan of the device. There were many options to choose from but I finally settled for 6 cell battery since it is the best power back up for this computer technology. In arriving at any decision about this issue, I considered the decision, alternatives possible and finally weighed outcomes of this decision. The figure below shows how the decision tree provides individuals to critically think about any possible decision that they make. Figure 1: Decision tree (Byrd & Gustke, 2011) Using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Moreover, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a tool proved useful in this situation since it measures people’s psychological preferences in their perceptions and making decisions (Higgs, 2001). In this scenario, my personal preference would be to have a computer with a long lifespan and a battery that could be reliable in situations of power uncertainties. This theoretical model was applicable in my situation since psychologically, I would not settle for anything else than a personal computer that would prove convenient to us. The other alternative was desktop computer but my personal preference was to have a portable computer which we could carry to areas of free internet access like the institution’s library. Individual vs. organization decision making Individual verses organization theory is also vital while arriving at final decisions or handling certain situations (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). At individual levels, the motivating factors include the need to satisfy psychological desires, needs and wants. In my situation, individual decision making model was comfortable since minimized effort and strain when I was making my decisions. The only limitation of this theory is that individuals are capable of making biased decisions since they do not consider alternatives that are present. However, this was not in our case since I recommended computer varieties and their pros and cons to my friend. Critical thinking theory Critical thinking would mean that I asked personal questions so as to provide alternatives of achieving my goals and objectives (Natale & Ricci, 2006). In this context, the defining feature of my critical thinking was a reflective thinking because it gave me an insight on how the issues originated and the best way to address them. Moreover, individuals must have thinking skills as well as intellectual traits that make it possible to evaluate and analyze a situation. Of for instance I had to choose from different prices, I had to personally think about certain issues before settling on a specific price. The price had to speak for itself as I had to consider user proficiency of the software in this technology. The question of price came up because we were involved in a joint buying and I had to convince the other party that this computer was worth his money. Using rational decision making theory In my process of decision making, I handled the situation using Rational Decision Making Theory (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). This theory uses a model that is multi-step in nature from identifying the problem to considering solution and finally arriving at a logically sound final decision. In this theory, an individual selects among possible choices and bases it on facts and reasons. As a decision maker, I would consider a special analytical framework that contains the steps that I would use to arrive at a final decision. Generally, rational decisions entail choices that maximize benefits while minimizing any cost (Fitzgerald, 2013). In this context, I considered that it was imperative to look at other computers like Acer, dell among others but I finally settled for the HP ProBook. In this case we would save maintenance costs as other computers could spoil easily thus needing some extra cost to repair them. Fig 2: Rational decision making theoretical model (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002) This model provided me with assumptions that would be useful in decision making. Firstly, theory postulates the decision maker has full information on what will result from the decision made (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). In this situation, I considered that buying a personal computer would be convenient to use, easy to carry in terms of weight and could process our files with fast speed to enable us meet assignment deadlines. Secondly, the theory assumes that decision makers have time and cognitive ability weigh choices against each other (Fitzgerald, 2013). I would apply the above model as follows: outlining the goal and its outcome, gathering data from IT vendors, developing alternatives through brainstorming users of personal computers, listing pros and cons, making decision, immediately taking action to implement it and finally reflect on my decision (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). My main objective was to buy a PC rather than a desktop. However, I would other factors like speed of the computer, memory size, random access memory and the type of the operating system that it would be using. Application of ethical theories in this scenario In this scenario, I had to consider the best ethical theories that are applicable (Maddalena, 2007). This is because where two or more people are involved in decision, the might arise some ethical issues Firstly, I considered the four basic principles ethics of beneficence respect for autonomy, justice and least harm (Maddalena, 2007). My final decision would benefit both of us; respect my friend his need for independent decisions (autonomy). On the other hand, I would exercise justice by making decision that benefits us and finally exercise least harm to my colleague. Though my friend had a little knowledge about computers, I would not consider decisions that only favored my personal interest. His decisions were equally important as the whole scenario with the final decision would later affect him. One of ethical theory was theory of deontology implies that individuals must adhere to duties and obligations when analyzing ethical dilemmas (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). This would give me the go ahead to decide on which computer to buy. Besides, I used utilitarianism ethical theory to arrive at my decision. In this context, the theory provides me with the opportunity of predicting consequences of my actions (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). Structured and unstructured decision making In doing so, I was involved in structural decision making that required me to consider trade-offs between the alternatives and their meaning to the employees (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). In this case, I already identified the issues that would arise from decision, developed my objective of buying a personal need to meet both personal and school work, forecasted on consequences as well as considering uncertainties and tolerance to risk (Fitzgerald, 2013). The uncertainties that existed in our situation were that my friend was uncertain of the price, power capacity of the device’s battery and if it will handle task with utmost speed as well as reliability. Applying traits theory in my decision making This theory states that certain traits are associated with the way people make certain decisions (Kedia, Nordtvedt & Pérez, 2002). In this case, I was like a leader who had to make a decision for me and my friend. Therefore, I had to possess certain traits of individual intellect about computers to make me choose the best computer for us. On the other hand, my special trait in decision making was a behavioral skill made my friend to have courage in me. For instance, it is important develop a good critical thinking about a situation so as to enable an individual reflect on all issues arise. This will enable an individual to draw a detailed conclusion of what may result from his or her decision. In this case, my personal trait enabled me to develop a problem-solution frame to issues like power uncertainties, price uncertainties and choosing amongst a variety of computers. Theory values (brain values) in decision making Human decision making depends on the capability of brain to have certain valued signals. In this case, the brain has outcome values, stimulus values and prediction errors that ate vital when making decisions. This theory is rather scientific and describes the anatomy of the brain on how it codes messages and arrive at a final decision (Rangel & Clithtero, 2012). This means that as a decision maker, I had to be in situation that could not jeopardize my brains capacity to make decisions. Conclusion In summary, personal reflection on critical decision making is very important to individuals who wish to make some critical decisions in their lives. The discussion above has presented a decision making scenario where, I was faced with a dilemma on whether to buy a personal computer (laptop). Issues that arose included uncertainty about the power capacity of the computer, price uncertainties and uncertainty about which type of computer from the varieties. To address the issues, I referred to some theoretical models to help me arrive at the final decisions. These included the decision tree, MBTI, individual decision making theory, ethical theories, structured decision making, rational decision making theory, theories of values, and traits theory among others. The implication of this personal evaluation was that we finally settled for a laptop (PC) rather than a desktop. The result afterwards was efficiency in handling our tasks both at school and at home since we bought HP ProBook-15.6”-Core i5 3230. References Arckerman, D. (July 9, 2013). Laptop buying guide: the most important thing to know when shopping for anew laptop, hybrid or Windows tablet. Retrieved from Byrd, E. T. & Gustke, L. (2011). Using decision trees to identify tourism stakeholders, Journal of Place Management and Development, 4(2), 148-168. Fitzgerald, M. (2013).Edt. Managing Under Uncertainty, a qualitative approach to decision-making. 2nd edn. Pearson: Sydney. Higgs, M. (2001). Is there a relationship between the Myers-Briggs type indicator and emotional intelligence?", Journal of Managerial Psychology, 16(7), 50-533. Kedia, B. L., Nordtvedt, R. & Pérez, L. M. (2002). 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