Composition vs. Decomposition: Two Approaches to Modeling Organizational Decision Processes

Management Science - Tập 24 Số 14 - Trang 1491-1499 - 1978
Dennis J. Sweeney1, E. P. Winkofsky2, Probir Roy3, Norman R. Baker1
1University of Cincinnati
2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
3Gallaudet College

Tóm tắt

The most popular approach to developing mathematical models of organizational decision processes, the decomposition approach, begins with a mathematical statement of an ideal organizational problem and follows a process of decomposition to derive sub-problems solved by separate units at (possibly) different levels of the organization. Conversely, the composition approach starts with mathematical statements of the subproblems solved by the separate units and proceeds to develop a solution algorithm as a means of coordinating the activities of the separate units. A process of composition must then be followed if one is to discover the derived organizational problem actually solved. This paper offers an operational definition of an organizational decision process and relates this process to the anatomy of mathematical models purported as being representative of it. Implications regarding the potential of the decision process models as tools of organizational design are explored.

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