Group decision making advantages and disadvantages

Carolyn Brahm (Department of Management, School of Business Administration and Economics, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA)

Brian H. Kleiner (Department of Management, School of Business Administration and Economics, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA)

Explains the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches that are now being used in today’s society for group decision making. Groups are everywhere in our society, and learning more about them and how to work better in them can enhance the quality of each person’s life. Explains in detail five of the most widely used techniques: brainstorming, brainwriting, buzz sessions, quality circles, and nominal group technique. Points out the advantages and disadvantages of each approach with a view to reducing failures in implementing techniques as a result of lack of knowledge. The article will be useful for anyone involved in groups, e.g. managers or people wishing to improve their skills.

Brainstorming
Decision making
Groups
Problem solving
Quality circles

Brahm, C. and Kleiner, B.H. (1996), "Advantages and disadvantages of group decision‐ making approaches", Team Performance Management, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 30-35. https://doi.org/10.1108/13527599610105538

MCB UP Ltd

Benefits Or Advantages Of Group Decision Making

The main advantages of group decision making technique can be highlighted as follows:

Group decision making allows the members to share their views and opinions while making decision. So, it is democratic technique of decision making.

Group members have different educational background, skills, abilities and experience. So, more or adequate information can be collected because of specialization.

Because of participation and commitment of members, it is more acceptable than individual decision making.

Because of specialization and diversity of views of different group members, several alternatives can be identified. It helps to select the most appropriate alternative.

It is a democratic process where all members are equally treated and their views and suggestions are considered. Therefore, it is more legitimate than individual decision making technique.

Drawbacks/Limitations/Disadvantages Of Group Decision Making

The main disadvantages of group decision making can be highlighted as follows:

This process consumes more time in discussion because of more members in the group. Ideas and views of each and every member should be listened to make decisions. So, it is a lengthy and time consuming process of decision making.

Prompt decision is not possible in group decision making . So, it is not suitable for emergency situations.

There is a high chance of groupism that may dominate other members of the group.

4. Conflict And Misunderstanding

Because of different background, different skills and different perception of members, there exists a chance of misunderstanding and conflict among the group members.

Group decision-making is the process of coming up with an optimum decision with the collective discussion made by a group of people in a given situation. In other words, it’s a process where groups of individuals gather and discuss obstacles and make a choice. Committees, task forces, teams, and other formal and informal groups are examples of groups.

It believes that two heads are better than one head. In many organizations today, important decisions are made by groups instead of by individuals. The increased complexity of problems requires specialized knowledge in various fields usually not possessed by one person and necessitates group decision-making.

Usually, during a group decision, groups of individuals discuss a subject and are available to a choice, but sometimes they need different views with one another. In such a situation, they are available up with a choice with the bulk of voters.

Group decisions would become particularly appropriate for non-programmed decisions. These decisions relate to the determination of organizational objectives and the formulation of plans, strategies, and policies. Many large organizations make these decisions through executive committees consisting of chief executives and departmental heads.

Group decision-making involves the pooling of data, abilities, skills, information, and judgment which contributes to improving the standard of the choice. Many managers spend longer in meetings of committees and other groups to form decisions. it’s said that managers spend the maximum amount as 80% of their working time in committee meetings.

It’s both positive and negative impacts to the organization and group of individuals.

The benefits of group decision-making are often studied on the subsequent headings:

Provide Complete Information

There’s truth in saying that “two heads are better than one”. Group members have specialized knowledge and that they are ready to provide more information and knowledge than individuals

Generate More Alternatives

Groups have a greater amount and variety of data. Thye can identify more alternatives than a private. this is often possible because group members have specialized knowledge in several areas.

For instance, a team made from individuals from the fields of engineering, accounting, production, marketing, and human resources will generate alternatives that reflect their diverse perspectives.

Increased Acceptance of A Solution

Since the members who implement the choices also participate within the decision-making process, the implementation part becomes simpler. This also increases the commitment of the members to ascertain that the implementation is successful.

Increase Legitimacy

The group decision-making process is according to democratic ideals. Decisions made by groups could also be perceived as more legitimate than decisions made by one person.

Disadvantages:

The disadvantages of group decision-making are often studied on the subsequent headings:

Forming the proper group consumes tons of your time. Similarly, group members take longer to form decisions than private. Each member may have different perceptions regarding an answer to a drag. They take longer in discussion to return to mutual consent

Minority Domination

Members of a gaggle are never perfectly equal. they’ll differ in organizational rank, experience, knowledge about the matter, influence with other members, verbal skills, assertiveness, and so on. This inequality creates a chance for one or more members to dominate others. A dominant and vocal minority frequently can have an excessive influence on the ultimate decision.

Pressures To Conform

Some members may simply accept as true with the others for the sake of agreement. this is often due to social pressure to evolve and to not be the odd man put. There could also be some personality conflicts which will create interpersonal obstacles which can diminish the efficiency of the method also because of the quality of the choice.

Ambiguous Responsibility

Group members share responsibility, therefore, nobody member takes the ultimate responsibility. In group decisions, the responsibility of anyone single member is diluted.

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