AN ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMIC THINKING IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL

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Abstract

This paper advocates the adoption of systemic thinking in decision-making processes in municipalities. Most importantly, in this epoch of managing in complex and thought-provoking business environment, decision making is one of the most important skills required by any manager to remain effective. The success of a municipality or any business hinges on how well decisions are taken and implemented. In this paper, I intend to scrutinize decision making processes at strategic management levels in the municipalities within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. In doing that, a mixed method approach of qualitative and quantitative techniques was adopted in gathering data from sixty-one municipalities within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This was done in order to substantiate theoretical perspectives from different erudite scholars on the discourse of systemic thinking in decision making processes. This notion of systemic thinking is coined upon the universally used rational decision making process model. Thus, the conceptualization of rational decision-making model was also considered in this paper, the possibility of decision failure, the complexity of the municipality, and systemic thinking as the recommended option of dealing with complexity was explored. The results indicates that the theory that underpins the adoption of systemic thinking in dealing with complexity today’s business environment is relevant.

Key Words: Complexity of Municipality, Decision-Making Process, Municipality, Systemic Thinking

How to cite this paper: Ntuli, M.G., & Lekhanya, L.M. (2015). An analysis of systemic thinking in decision-making processes in the municipalities within the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Journal of Governance and Regulation, 4(4-4), 531-547. https://doi.org/10.22495/jgr_v4_i4_c4_p11