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Decision Analysis and Political Processes

Author

Listed:
  • Simon French

    (Department of Statistics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom;)

  • Nikolaos Argyris

    (School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom)

Abstract

Decision analysis has been with us for at least half a century. Over that time, it has developed from a theoretical paradigm for individual rational choice to a practical tool for individuals, small groups, and “unitary” organizations, which helps them toward sound decision making mindful of the behavioural characteristics of individuals and group dynamics. Decision analysis has also shown its worth in the context of stakeholder engagement and public participation. The time is right for it to be more widely used in making societal decisions. However, to achieve that, we need to realize that in many circumstances it will only be one input to the political process that leads to the actual decision. Recognizing that suggests that our community of decision analysts needs to deconstruct our paradigm and attend more to communicating the result of the analysis in comparison with other inputs to the societal decision.

Suggested Citation

  • Simon French & Nikolaos Argyris, 2018. "Decision Analysis and Political Processes," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 15(4), pages 208-222, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ordeca:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:208-222
    DOI: 10.1287/deca.2018.0374
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Robin L. Dillon & Vicki M. Bier & Richard Sheffield John & Abdullah Althenayyan, 2023. "Closing the Gap Between Decision Analysis and Policy Analysts Before the Next Pandemic," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 20(2), pages 109-132, June.
    3. Vicki M. Bier & Simon French, 2020. "From the Editors: Decision Analysis Focus and Trends," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 17(1), pages 1-8, March.
    4. Kelly F. Robinson & Erin Baker & Elizabeth Ewing & Victoria Hemming & Melissa A. Kenney & Michael C. Runge, 2023. "Decision Analysis to Advance Environmental Sustainability," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 20(4), pages 243-251, December.
    5. Aubert, Alice H. & Schmid, Sara & Lienert, Judit, 2024. "Can online interfaces enhance learning for public decision-making? Eliciting citizens’ preferences for multicriteria decision analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 314(2), pages 760-775.

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