Business Decision Analytics: A case study research report

Running head: BUSINESS DECISION ANALYTICS 1
Business Decision Analytics
A case study research report
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BUSINESS DECISION ANALYTICS 2
Business Decision Analytics: A case study research report
The research brief
Decision-making is a daily practice that governs the operational activities in an
organisation. The managers and relevant stakeholders are ever mandated to provide appropriate
solutions to various challenges that affect the firms, which are either short term or long term.
However, problems that require fast and accurate decisions have been reported to put the
management under pressure since there is limited time to carry out consultations before
delivering arrangements to the challenges (Aven & Zio, 2014). Therefore, such incidences have
led to the formation of decision-making groups in most companies that are responsible for giving
guidance and directions to the managing directors in critical issues that determine the
performance of companies in terms of market shares, their sustainability, as well as growth and
development (Aven, 2016).
Kaner (2014) demonstrated that group decisions are far much better than individual
choices due to the broad range of divergent views that give a critical evaluation of the problem
before delegating appropriate decisions. Furthermore, the authors argued that group decisions are
making processes exhibit census, which contributes to providing insightful judgments to the
question under examination. Biases are also minimised and eliminated with the use of group
decisions contrary to individual based decision-making processes. Another aspect of group
decision making is the ability to share information among the group members who take into
account a broader scope of data since the members could contribute unique expertise and
knowledge (Smith, 2014). Concisely, the ability to share information increases understanding,
clarification of issues, and facilitate movement towards a collective decision.
Aims of the study

BUSINESS DECISION ANALYTICS 3
The case study research aimed to select and synthesise the advantages of deploying
decision-making tools in reflecting to decision-making styles that are pertinent in determining
the respective levels of intuition and rationality. Additionally, the study aims to compare,
contrast, and critically evaluate the data sources that influence the range of decision making in
the business context as well as the examination of systems and techniques for engaging team
decisions for enhancing sustainable outcomes in a firm (McHugh et al., 2016). Furthermore, the
study would examine emerging technologies and tools that facilitate accurate and reliable
decisions.
Scope of the study
The study entailed the formation of a four-member team for selection of decision-making
tools and techniques that can be utilised by a firm in making fast and diverse decisions
concerning different aspects of a firm. Additionally, the team was expected to apply the decision-
making techniques for interpretation of a range of data analytics for challenges facing the
selected firm, evaluate the chosen techniques for effective decision making in the company, and
engage the team in the visual presentation of the findings. Moreover, the research was keen on
team selection where the diversity was expected about gender, personality, ethnicity, work
experiences, decision-making preferences and technical skills among others. The selected
company for the case study research was the Dexus which is a real investment company in
Australia. The company with an asset value of $28.9 billion manages and directly invests in high
quality Australian industrial and office properties as well as managing of retail, healthcare
properties, industrial and office properties. The main reason for selecting the Dexus for the study
was due to a broad scope of investment decisions that the company is prone to for its sustainable
growth and acquisition of market shares.

BUSINESS DECISION ANALYTICS 4
Key Research questions
The main research questions for the study are.
1. How does the application of decision-making tools influence the overall effectiveness of
decisions?
2. Are the team decisions more effective compared to individual decision making?
3. Does the use of data analytics techniques influence decision-making outcomes?
Team introduction and summary of team diversity
The selection of the team members that are mandated in making decisions is the primary
step of effective decisions making. Cox and Bobrowski (2016) alluded that a diverse group is
likely to make informed decisions compared to that with minimal diversity. Concisely, the author
claimed that team diversity should range from the level of expertise, working experience,
demographic, in essence, gender, ethnicity, personality, and the education level among others.
Therefore, the four-member team included an equal number of male and female members which
was led by one of the males with a female as his assistant. Concisely, the members had different
levels of studies including those pursuing masters, a doctorate, and one undergraduate student.
All the members were from different ethnicities.
Literature review
Many scholars have dedicated their studies towards the significance of team formation in
workplaces and decision-making. For instance, Adnan, Daud, Alias and Razali (2017) elaborated
that through teamwork, the coordination of activities is enhanced which promotes productivity
among the individual members. The authors further acknowledged that the same ideology could
be applied to team decisions, which entitle the members to cooperate with the others for arriving
at effective choices. Furthermore, teamwork promotes the sharing of information that is obtained