The Normative Decision Model.

 

Should a leader make decisions alone or involve followers? What factors can help a leader determine how to make a decision?

 

The Normative Decision Model by Vroom and Yetton, addresses prescribes when the leader needs to involve followers in decision making. It is called normative because it recommends that leaders adopt certain styles based on the prescriptions of the model. Like Fiedler, Vroom and Yetton recommend matching the leader and the situational requirements. They, however, differ on several points. The Normative Decision Model is limited to decision making rather than general leadership and it assumes that leaders can adopt different decision-making styles as needed. The model relies on two well-established group dynamic principles: First are the research findings that groups are wasteful and inefficient, and second, that participation in decision making leads to commitment.

 

Leader’s Decision Styles

The Normative Decision Model identifies four decision methods available to leaders. The first method is Autocratic (A), in which the leader makes a decision with little or no involvement from followers. The second decision method is consultation (C), which means that the leader consults with followers yet retains the final decision making authority. The third decision method is Group (G). Here, the leader relies on consensus building to solve a problem. The final method involves total delegation (D) of decision making to one employee.

 

A leader must decide which style to use depending on the situation that the leader and the group face and on whether the problem involves a group or one individual. Individual problems affect only one person, whereas group problems can affect a group or individual. For example, deciding on raises for individual employees is an individual problem, whereas scheduling vacations is a group problem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingency Factors and Predictions of the Model

The two central contingency factors for the Normative Decision Model are the quality of the decision and the need for acceptance and commitment by followers. Other contingency factors to consider are whether the leader has enough relevant information to make a sound decision, whether the problem is structured and clear, the likelihood that followers will accept the leader’s decision and whether they have enough information to make a decision alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Normative Decision Model is a decision tree as shown below. Leader’s ask a serie of questions listed above, the questions relate to the contingency factors and should be asked sequentially.

By responding yes or no to each question, managers can determine which decision style(s) is most appropriate for the problem they face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation and Application

Some practitioners and theorists argue that the model is too complex to provide practical value. Few managers have time to work their way through the decision tree. Furthermore, the assumption that leaders have the ability to use any of the decision styles equally well might be flawed