Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences

The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only) via allocated folder.
Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented; marks may be reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your information on the cover page.
Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
Late submission will NOT be accepted.
Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO marks. No exceptions.
All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be considered plagiarism).
Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.
Course Learning Outcomes-Covered
Aligned (PLOs)
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Question
MGT.K.1
(1.1)
Find some structured ways of dealing with complex managerial decision problems.
Question-1
MGT.K.3
(1.2)
Explain simple decision models and management science ideas that provide powerful and (often surprising) qualitative insight about large spectrum of managerial problems.
Question-3
MGT.S.1
(2.1)
Demonstrate the tools for deciding when and which decision models to use for specific problems.
Question-2
MGT.V.1
(3.1)
Build an understanding of the kind of problems that is tackled using Spreadsheet Modeling and decision analysis.
Question-4
Assignment Instructions:
Log in to Saudi Digital Library (SDL) via University’s website.
On first page of SDL, choose “English Databases.”
From the list find and click on EBSCO database.
In the Search Bar of EBSCO find the following article:
Title: “Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences”
Author: Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
Date: March 26, 2019
Assignment Questions: (Marks 10)
Read the above case study and answer the following Questions:
Question 1: Explain the role of rational and intuitive cognition in the theory and practice of management. (250-300 words) (2.5-Marks).
Question 2: Discuss that the decision-making process takes place in conditions of permanent uncertainty under the pressure of time. (250-300 words). (2.5-Marks).
Question 3: Discuss the inadequacy of the management theory in relation to problems faced by management practitioners in the decision-making process. (250-300 words) (2.5-Marks).
Question 4: Explain the various stages of problem-solving process with suitable examples. (250-300 words) (2.5-Marks).

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Assignment:

1. Read the Article:
   • Access the article titled “Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences” by Marcin Nowak and Joanna Ziomek through the Saudi Digital Library (SDL) using your university credentials.
   • Ensure you have access to the full text of the article as you will need to use it for answering the assignment questions. This article provides insights into cognitive processes in management theory and practice.
2. Prepare Your Assignment Document:
   • Use the required formatting: Ensure your document is typed in Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced.
   • Cover page: Make sure your document has a cover page with all necessary information (e.g., your name, course title, instructor’s name, assignment title).
   • No pictures with text: Only text-based responses are allowed, so avoid including images or other media with text.
3. Answer the Questions One by One:
   • Question 1 (2.5 Marks):
     • Topic: Explain the role of rational and intuitive cognition in management.
     • Steps:
       1. Define rational cognition (logical, data-driven decision-making) and intuitive cognition (gut feeling, experience-based decisions).
       2. Discuss how these cognitive processes work together in management practice. For example, rational cognition may be used in strategic planning, while intuitive cognition might be useful in crisis management or when decisions need to be made quickly.
       3. Explain their roles in decision-making, using examples from management practice where appropriate.
       4. Link this to the article’s key points, emphasizing how both cognitive styles are applied in management.
   • Question 2 (2.5 Marks):
     • Topic: Discuss the decision-making process under uncertainty and time pressure.
     • Steps:
       1. Explain the concept of uncertainty in decision-making (lack of information, unpredictability).
       2. Discuss how decision-making is often done under time pressure, leading to potential trade-offs between rational decision-making and intuitive decisions.
       3. Mention how management can use decision models or intuition in such conditions, referencing the article for deeper insights into real-world scenarios.
       4. Provide examples of decision-making in uncertain and time-sensitive situations (e.g., crisis management or urgent financial decisions).
   • Question 3 (2.5 Marks):
     • Topic: Inadequacy of management theory in real-world decision-making.
     • Steps:
       1. Introduce the key idea that traditional management theories do not always reflect the complexity of real-world situations.
       2. Discuss specific examples where management theories fall short. For example, how decision-making models might not account for emotional or subjective factors.
       3. Explain the challenges faced by managers who have to make decisions in dynamic and unpredictable environments, referencing points from the article about the gap between theory and practice.
       4. Suggest ways to overcome these inadequacies, such as adapting theories to be more flexible or using a combination of rational and intuitive approaches.
   • Question 4 (2.5 Marks):
     • Topic: Explain the stages of the problem-solving process with examples.
     • Steps:
       1. Define the problem-solving process (e.g., identifying the problem, gathering data, generating solutions, implementing the solution, evaluating outcomes).
       2. Break down each stage of the process, giving a detailed explanation of what happens at each step.
       3. Provide practical examples of problem-solving in management (e.g., handling an organizational issue or resolving a customer complaint).
       4. Relate the stages to real-life decision-making situations that managers face.
4. Final Review:
   • After answering all four questions, proofread your document for clarity, coherence, and any spelling/grammar issues.
   • Ensure you mention the question number clearly in your answers to keep everything well-organized.
   • Check for plagiarism: Ensure your responses are original and paraphrased properly. Any references should be cited according to your course guidelines.
5. Submission Instructions:
   • Ensure that the final document is well presented with no errors in formatting. Submit it via the required platform (not via email) before the deadline.
   • Double-check that your cover page is included and that all formatting requirements have been met.