STRATEGIC DECISIONS

Strategic Decisions in Schools

Strategic Decisions in Schools

Introduction

The decision-making quality concerns to the success or failure of school business. The external environment change from stability to complexity has influenced the decision-making process. The decisions made through traditional analysis, logical reasoning and other rational approaches may be invalid.

The behaviour patterns formed in the original environment has the characteristics of the stability and rigidity (Shrivastava 2000, p. 86). They can affect the current decisions in the shape of the traditional forms. This paper describes the impact mechanism of irrational factors on the decision-making in the background of dynamic school environment.

Decision-Making Models as Applied to Psychological Interventions

Charles, Whelan, and Gafni (1999) provide an in depth description of three decision making models as applied to the medical field- these include the paternalistic model, the informed model, and the shared model- noting that there are intermediate models as well, which represent hybrids between any or all of these models.

The paternalistic model is described as a top-down or expert-as-advice-giver approach on the part of the practitioner and a passively responding role on the part of the consumer. The assumption in this model is that the practitioner knows best and will make the best decision for the benefit of the consumer without involving the consumer in any significant way, not even to share personal information.

The informed model is described as involving a partnership between the treator and consumer that is divided into clear cut roles. The treator's role is to communicate all relevant information regarding treatment options, their benefits, and their risks with the purpose of providing at least a minimum amount of information from which the patient can make an informed decision.

The practitioner's responsibility in the decision process ends with the delivery of all relevant information. Meanwhile, the consumer is on the receiving end of this bundle of information and assumes all responsibility for deliberating and making the final decision, without any “persuasion” from the practitioner. The shared decision making model, on the other hand, is described as ideally an interactive and relatively equal exchange of information, including treatment preferences, and assumes more equal investment in the treatment decision.

This model is further described below in the review of Lown, Hanson, and Clark's (2009) study. Ultimately, Charles, Whelan, and Gafni (1999) propose that in every day practice, the model to use is the one that fits the situation best, which can fluctuate throughout the course of the decision making interaction.

The authors do note, however, the importance in selection of an appropriate model of the context of the interaction, such as patients bringing a minor versus a severe presenting complaint. The authors emphasize the importance of facilitating the patients' expression of their values, concerns, and preferences, and that these be afforded respect in the decision making process, especially with increased severity of the risks of a particular treatment or lack of treatment.

Although these models are discussed in the context of primary care, I believe they can be applied in much ...