Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2007

Abstract

What if we could encourage association leaders to make bold and wise decision? Board members of nonprofit societies have limited time to devote to strategic issues confronting their associations. It is essential that they use their limited time productively and remain focused on strategic decision making. Therefore, this study addresses how association leadership--both boards and CEOs--consider significant issues and make decisions. The purpose is to determine how boards and staff of professional societies (associations comprised of individual memberships whose primary purpose is to provide learning and knowledge for members of the profession they represent) navigate the decision-making process and make bold and wise decisions that will ultimately help their organizations "transform society". The proposed conceptual model first identifies a board effectiveness zone in which issues of major magnitude, unique or unusual frequency, and high uncertainty are considered. The key decision steps of the process are then addressed and responsibility for each step is assigned to either staff or board members. Decision factors, criteria, and decision makers are then identified to determine whether they intersect and how this intersection might encourage boards and CEOs to engage in strategic decision making. The study culminates in a research plan designed to address how associations engage in making bold and wise decisions.

Keywords

decision making, strategic decision making, decision steps, decision factors, decision criteria, nonprofit organizations, associations, bold and wise decisions

Rights

© The Author(s). Kelvin Smith Library provides access for non-commercial, personal, or research use only. All other use, including but not limited to commercial or scholarly reproductions, redistribution, publication or transmission, whether by electronic means or otherwise, without prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Department/Center

Design & Innovation

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