title: Understanding decision problem structuring by executives

authors: Dillon, Stuart M.

abstract: This thesis reports on an investigation undertaken to determine the nature of the decision problem structuring behaviour of executives and the determinants of that behaviour.

Decision problem structuring is concerned with those activities that translate an identified decision problem into a form suitable for the making of a choice. Activities commonly associated with the structuring of decision problems include the defining of objectives, the generation of alternatives, and the collection of relevant supporting information.

Utilising a multiple case study approach, sixteen Chief Executive Officers or General Managers of medium to large (largest had 2800 employees) organisations, operating within a confined geographical region of New Zealand, were questioned on their decision problem structuring behaviour. Participants were asked to describe, in detail, the processes they followed in structuring decision problems, along with what they felt caused them to act as they did. In addition to the direct communication between the researcher and the participant, each executive completed a supplementary questionnaire and undertook a computer based cognitive style analysis test (the latter two for purposes of triangulation). Raw interview data was integrated with that from the other data sources (such as the questionnaire) through use of an adaptation of the data analysis aspects of the grounded theory approach.

Within the context of the study, described decision structuring behaviour was found to be more closely aligned with that of wider descriptive theory than any of the existing prescribed problem structuring methods. Described behaviour regularly exhibited the use of prior decision-making experiences, decision situations where an identified solution initiated the decision, and the existence of Satisficing behaviour. 

The most evident structuring process comprised the defining of objectives and the generating of alternatives, occurring in an iterative and cyclical manner. These activities were supported, where required, by the gathering of information.

It was observed that the contextual effects of time, limited finance, level of information and political interference played a significant part in not just the problem structuring activities, but they were also found to affect the decision-maker’s perception of the problem before any structuring occurred. As a result, the actual decision problem state and the perceived problem state often differed. Similarly, the executive decision-maker was also found to influence the perception of the problem and the subsequent activities that were carried out in structuring it. The executive’s experience, their understanding of decision problem structuring, and their overall confidence were found to be influential.

text: Understanding decision problem structuring by executives This thesis reports on an investigation undertaken to determine the nature of the decision problem structuring behaviour of executives and the determinants of that behaviour.

Decision problem structuring is concerned with those activities that translate an identified decision problem into a form suitable for the making of a choice. Activities commonly associated with the structuring of decision problems include the defining of objectives, the generation of alternatives, and the collection of relevant supporting information.

Utilising a multiple case study approach, sixteen Chief Executive Officers or General Managers of medium to large (largest had 2800 employees) organisations, operating within a confined geographical region of New Zealand, were questioned on their decision problem structuring behaviour. Participants were asked to describe, in detail, the processes they followed in structuring decision problems, along with what they felt caused them to act as they did. In addition to the direct communication between the researcher and the participant, each executive completed a supplementary questionnaire and undertook a computer based cognitive style analysis test (the latter two for purposes of triangulation). Raw interview data was integrated with that from the other data sources (such as the questionnaire) through use of an adaptation of the data analysis aspects of the grounded theory approach.

Within the context of the study, described decision structuring behaviour was found to be more closely aligned with that of wider descriptive theory than any of the existing prescribed problem structuring methods. Described behaviour regularly exhibited the use of prior decision-making experiences, decision situations where an identified solution initiated the decision, and the existence of Satisficing behaviour. 

The most evident structuring process comprised the defining of objectives and the generating of alternatives, occurring in an iterative and cyclical manner. These activities were supported, where required, by the gathering of information.

It was observed that the contextual effects of time, limited finance, level of information and political interference played a significant part in not just the problem structuring activities, but they were also found to affect the decision-maker’s perception of the problem before any structuring occurred. As a result, the actual decision problem state and the perceived problem state often differed. Similarly, the executive decision-maker was also found to influence the perception of the problem and the subsequent activities that were carried out in structuring it. The executive’s experience, their understanding of decision problem structuring, and their overall confidence were found to be influential.

year: 2002

title: Sustainability assessment and comparison of efficacy of four P-inactivation agents for managing internal phosphorus loads in lakes: sediment incubations

authors: Gibbs, Max M.

subjects: lake restoration

abstract: A novel application of a continuous flow incubation system (CFIS) was used to assess four phosphorus (P) inactivation agents—alum, Phoslock™, a new modified zeolite (Z2G1 or Aqual-P™), and allophone—when used as sediment capping agents to manage internal P loads in lakes. The CFIS technique allowed combined efficacy and sustainability assessment, including: (1) flux measurements during simulation of stratified (anoxic) and mixed (aerobic) conditions on the same sediment through multiple cycles to assess the longevity of a range of product doses; (2) simulation of a summer algal bloom collapse and subsequent burial of the products; and (3) investigation of non-target effects on nitrification and denitrification processes at the sediment–water interface. Minimum P-removal dose rates were found to differ substantially at 80 g m⁻² for alum, 190 g m⁻² for Z2G1, 220 g m⁻² for allophane and 280 g m⁻² for Phoslock™, for similar capping layer thickness of about 2 mm, and would be effective for at least 4 years. All products temporarily suppressed nitrification and denitrification under aerobic conditions, and it may be important to minimise product application to any permanently aerobic zones, such as the littoral areas of a lake. While the aluminium (Al)-based products did not enhance Al fluxes in the CFIS, lanthanum (La) was released at a near constant rate of around 2 mg La m⁻² day⁻¹ from the Phoslock™ treatments over a period of at least 14 days. Spatial variability of sediment P, bioturbation, and burial are factors that will affect up-scaling these results to a whole lake.

text: Sustainability assessment and comparison of efficacy of four P-inactivation agents for managing internal phosphorus loads in lakes: sediment incubations A novel application of a continuous flow incubation system (CFIS) was used to assess four phosphorus (P) inactivation agents—alum, Phoslock™, a new modified zeolite (Z2G1 or Aqual-P™), and allophone—when used as sediment capping agents to manage internal P loads in lakes. The CFIS technique allowed combined efficacy and sustainability assessment, including: (1) flux measurements during simulation of stratified (anoxic) and mixed (aerobic) conditions on the same sediment through multiple cycles to assess the longevity of a range of product doses; (2) simulation of a summer algal bloom collapse and subsequent burial of the products; and (3) investigation of non-target effects on nitrification and denitrification processes at the sediment–water interface. Minimum P-removal dose rates were found to differ substantially at 80 g m⁻² for alum, 190 g m⁻² for Z2G1, 220 g m⁻² for allophane and 280 g m⁻² for Phoslock™, for similar capping layer thickness of about 2 mm, and would be effective for at least 4 years. All products temporarily suppressed nitrification and denitrification under aerobic conditions, and it may be important to minimise product application to any permanently aerobic zones, such as the littoral areas of a lake. While the aluminium (Al)-based products did not enhance Al fluxes in the CFIS, lanthanum (La) was released at a near constant rate of around 2 mg La m⁻² day⁻¹ from the Phoslock™ treatments over a period of at least 14 days. Spatial variability of sediment P, bioturbation, and burial are factors that will affect up-scaling these results to a whole lake.

year: 2010

title: A collaborative approach to improving youth mental health.

authors: Goodwin, Debbie Waireka Tuhi

subjects: Maori

abstract: Nga Taiohi Whai Marama / Youth Connex was developed collaboratively by three organisations: Health Waikato Mental Health, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, and Linkage. These organisations had a vision of creating greater integration and improved pathways between youth and mental health services, as well as providing a service explicitly based on youth-friendly principles. The key aims of Whai Marama Youth Connex are to improve youth’s access to services and contribute to the development of a youth service-provider network. To fulfil this we aim to provide a range of services, integrated pathways and capacity building on several levels, the client level, the provider level and the funder level. Debbie Goodwin (Tuhoe) was employed as the Manager of the service and has a key role in developing the organisation, planning and shaping its services, and employing and managing its’ staff. She will give an overview of how the service is developing in partnership and biculturally, how youth-friendly principles are enacted, and what some of the key issues have been in its early stages.

text: A collaborative approach to improving youth mental health. Nga Taiohi Whai Marama / Youth Connex was developed collaboratively by three organisations: Health Waikato Mental Health, Te Runanga o Kirikiriroa, and Linkage. These organisations had a vision of creating greater integration and improved pathways between youth and mental health services, as well as providing a service explicitly based on youth-friendly principles. The key aims of Whai Marama Youth Connex are to improve youth’s access to services and contribute to the development of a youth service-provider network. To fulfil this we aim to provide a range of services, integrated pathways and capacity building on several levels, the client level, the provider level and the funder level. Debbie Goodwin (Tuhoe) was employed as the Manager of the service and has a key role in developing the organisation, planning and shaping its services, and employing and managing its’ staff. She will give an overview of how the service is developing in partnership and biculturally, how youth-friendly principles are enacted, and what some of the key issues have been in its early stages.

year: 2003