Systems Management: Background and Forecasts, The Group-Oriented Decision Making Process

Abstract

This paper is primarily concerned with the question “how does the growing trend toward group action and decision making (as replacement for individual action and decision making) relate to the total systems approach?” In an attempt to answer this question, the total systems approach will first be defined and put into the perspective of the modern management and organizational environment. The evolution of the management decision making process in relation to the development of the total systems approach will then be explored and examined. The paper will conclude with a presentation of three major predictions concerning the future relationship of the total systems approach and the management decision making process.