Strategic decision making from the viewpoint of systems thinking: The role of values and context

Abstract

© 2017 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. Growing complexity and diversity of strategic decisions indicate the need for applying the appropriate holistic tools in strategic decision-making. Thus, the paper deals with the process of strategic decisionmaking from the viewpoint of systems thinking, with emphasis on the role of values and context in strategic decision-making. The main purpose is to show how systems thinking, through selected systems methodologies, can help decision-makers involve different perceptions and values in the process of strategic decision-making, as well as take into account context in which the strategic decisions are made. Considering the key internal and external factors affecting strategic decision-making (characteristics of decision-makers, organizational characteristics and environmental characteristics), Soft Systems Methodology as interpretive systems methodology and Organizational Cybernetics as functionalist systems methodology have been selected. The way in which they can be combined, aimed at improving effectiveness of strategic decision-making, has been presented.