Decision Making

Subject BUSA90489 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

January, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 19-Jan-2015 to 26-Mar-2015
Assessment Period End 03-Apr-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Jan-2015
Census Date 06-Feb-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-Mar-2015

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 16-Feb-2015
Teaching Period 12-Mar-2015 to 12-Apr-2015
Assessment Period End 12-Apr-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 20-Feb-2015
Census Date 13-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 27-Mar-2015

April, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 06-Apr-2015
Teaching Period 13-Apr-2015 to 18-Jun-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Feb-2015
Census Date 24-Apr-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 29-May-2015

July, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 29-Jun-2015
Teaching Period 06-Jul-2015 to 10-Sep-2015
Assessment Period End 18-Sep-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 30-Jun-2015
Census Date 17-Jul-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 21-Aug-2015

September, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 21-Sep-2015
Teaching Period 28-Sep-2015 to 03-Dec-2015
Assessment Period End 11-Dec-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 22-Sep-2015
Census Date 09-Oct-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 13-Nov-2015

This subject has a quota of 80 students. Students will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. However if any student is approaching their completion date, they will get priority in enrolment.



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 30 hours
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Prof Christopher John Lloyd

Contact

Program Services

programservices@mbs.edu

Subject Overview:

EMBA and Part Time:

Making good decisions is hard, but fundamental to developing management and leadership skills. Decisions are inherently difficult because the world is complex and outcomes are uncertain. In addition, humans suffer from strong cognitive biases and numerous studies have shown that individuals do a poor job of estimating probabilities. We are more emotionally sensitive to threat than we need to be, and we often fail to develop realistic perceptions of others and of ourselves. The complexity of the world and cognitive biases can lead to poor decisions.

However evidence suggests that people can be taught to assess probabilities accurately and make better decisions by modelling the decision process in a structured way. Furthermore being aware of the latest research on cognitive biases enables individuals to recognize these biases in themselves and others and correct them

Learning Outcomes:

Part Time:

Modeling decisions in complex environments:

  • Structuring decisions, identifying values, objectives, elements & context;
  • Thinking probabilistically when confronted with uncertainty;
  • Structuring and analyzing decisions; and,
  • Using tools to recommend strategies and analyse risk.


To better understand:

  • Cognitive biases and their remedies;
  • The neurological source of gut feeling and how to use gut feeling in decision- 
making;
  • The role that expectations, stereotypes, cognitive dissonance, and self- 
justification play in distorting our perceptions and producing sub-optimal 
performance;
  • The various team decision-making methodologies for leading teams, and how to 
design and lead team discussions to produce optimal decisions; and,

To use this knowledge to make better managerial decisions, be a more effective 
leader, avoid mistakes where possible and learn from mistakes that are made.

EMBA:

  • Understand how quantitative methods can be used in management decision making processes;
  • Appreciate the importance of randomness and uncertainty in management decision making
  • Acquire the skills to analyse quantitative data relevant to management decisions.
  • Understand important biases in decision-making, particularly with regard to:
    • The framing of decisions
    • The collection and interpretation of decision information
    • The selection of strategic options
  • Appreciate the positive and negative role that emotions can play in our decisions and behaviour
Assessment:

Part Time:

  • 8 quizzes (35%)
    • Throughout subject
  • Syndicate assignment (45%)
    • 2,000 words
  • Final examination (20%)
    • Hurdle requirement
    • 90 minutes
    • End of subject

EMBA:

  • Test (20%)
    • 90 minutes
    • End of subject
  • Individual assignment (45%)
    • Hurdle Requirement
  • Quizzes (25%)
  • Case preparations (10%)
    • Throughout subject
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
Master of Information Systems/Graduate Diploma of Business Admin

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