5.Discuss the characteristics of group decision making. Identify the Essay

5.Discuss the characteristics of group decision making. Identify the benefits and issues in a hospitality or tourism context using relevant examples - Essay Example There are certain situations that group decision making is more preferable to individual decision making as it may be more efficient. In the hospitality industry however, its particularly stated that when creativity and efficiency is most essential, and there is relatively limited time group decision is the least preferred (Kusluvan 2003, p.18). Nevertheless, group decision making is beneficial as it has the advantage of individuals having diverse skills, experience and knowledge. Organizations in the hospitality industry are encouraged to incorporate more group decision making as its participative. Participative decision making in the sense that employees at different levels are asked to participate in the decision making process more so in decisions that affect them. Groups that are incorporated include task forces, project teams and committees as an attempt to achieve better decisions and more commitment to include employees. Decision making at group level will enhance the effectiveness of decision making and enhances problem solving. The combined effort of individuals is believed to improve the quality of decisions made. Some of the characteristics that are exhibited by successful groups include the following: the group is quite small, it exudes open communication among its members and they all have a common mind set, the group members easily identify with each other and they are all agreeable on acceptable group behavior (Walker, 2009, p.43). Group decision making does work best however when all the group members are accustomed to working together and there’s some overall commitment. Setbacks associated with group decision making however are it can be seen as a time consuming activity and more so when the members have a differing expertise point of view. There is also the fear that mediocre decisions are more likely to be made as group leaders at times tend to be more manipulative and dominating and likely to take credit when the