African Journal of
Business Management

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1993-8233
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJBM
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 4194

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of workgroup heterogeneity on decision making: An empirical investigation

Syed Mazhar Abbas Zaidi*, Muhammad Iqbal Saif and Arshad Zaheer
  Foundation University, FUIEMS, FF Complex, New Lalazar, Rawalpindi Cantt, Pakistan.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 30 July 2010
  •  Published: 18 August 2010

Abstract

 

This research effort explored the relationship of workgroup heterogeneity and effective decision making within organization. Researchers tried to examine the influence of management heterogeneity on creative and qualitative aspect in decision making process. The research team used a survey questionnaire for data collection from employees of domestic private banks of Pakistan using stratified sampling method with a response rate of 20.5%. Sample size was 308 comprising 77 workgroups having four members. SPSS 15.0 version was used for checking of relationship of variables. Linear regression analysis revealed that management heterogeneity of workgroups had noticeable influence on effective decision making. This study concluded that workgroup heterogeneity had a significant impact on decision’s creativity and quality. Therefore, the enterprises should strive for an environment of inclusiveness, pluralism and diversity for effective decision making in the organizations.

 

Key words: Workgroup heterogeneity, decision making, creativity in decisions, quality in decisions, pluralism, diversity.