1. Explain the objective of this study according to your understanding
2. Why decision-making process is one of the most important issues in the area of management science?
3. What is the role of intuition in the managerial decision making?
4. What is the difference in rational and intuitive decision making style?
5. How this study is helpful for you in understanding the decision making process?
Learning Outcomes:
|
No. |
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) |
Question Number |
|
CLO1 |
Find some structured ways of dealing with complex managerial decision problems. |
Question 2 |
|
CLO2 |
Explain simple decision models and management science ideas that provide powerful and (often surprising) qualitative insight about large spectrum of managerial problems. |
Question 1 |
|
CLO3 |
Demonstrate the tools for deciding when and which decision models to use for specific problems. |
Question 3 |
|
CLO4 |
Build an understanding of the kind of problems that is tackled using spreadsheet modeling and decision analysis. |
Question 4 and 5 |
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” (Case Study)
Author: Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
Date: March 03, 2019
Assignment Questions: (10-Marks)
Read the above article and answer the following Questions:
1. Explain the objective of this study according to your understanding (150-200 Words)
2. Why decision-making process is one of the most important issues in the area of management science? (150-200 Words)
3. What is the role of intuition in the managerial decision making? (150-200 Words)
4. What is the difference in rational and intuitive decision making style? (150-200 Words)
5. How this study is helpful for you in understanding the decision making process? (150-200 words)
Answers:
The creation of the English-language version of these publications is Þ nanced in
the framework of contract No. 607/P-DUN/2018 by the Ministry of Science and
Higher Education committed to activities aimed at the promotion of education.
* Marcin Nowak – dr in ., Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5005-7820.
** Joanna Ziomek – mgr in ., Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7750-0527.
Correspondence address: Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology, 11 Strze-
lecka Str., 60-965 Pozna , Poland; e-mail: marcin.nowak@put.poznan.pl; joanna.ziomek@put.poznan.pl.
Problemy Zarz dzania – Management Issues, vol. 17, no. 2(82): 142 –154
ISSN 1644-9584, © Wydzia Zarz dzania UW
DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Intuitive and Rational Cognition
in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Submitted: 11.01.19 | Accepted: 26.03.19
Marcin Nowak*, Joanna Ziomek**
The aim of this study is to explain the role of rational and intuitive cognition in the theory and practice
of management. The ar ticle presents a synthetic review of definitions and ways of interpreting the
concept of intuition. Subsequently, a conceptual apparatus for rational judgments, intuitive judgments,
and intuition as a special type of skills is proposed. On the basis of the four-stage model of the creative
process and the model of System 1 and System 2, the role of intuition in the work of management
theoretician is explained. Using the four-stage model of competence, the role of intuition in the process
of making managerial decisions is explained. The study shows that intuition is a key skill in the theory
and practice of management.
Keywords: intuition, intuitive judgment, intuitive cognition, managerial decisions, epistemology of
management sciences.
Poznanie intuicyjne i rozumowe w teorii i praktyce nauk
o zarz dzaniu
Nades any: 11.01.19 | Zaakceptowany do druku: 26.03.19
Celem niniejszego opracowania jest wyja nienie roli poznania rozumowego i intuicyjnego w teorii i praktyce
zarz dzania. W artykule przedstawiono syntetyczny przegl d definicji i sposobu interpretowania poj cia
intuicji. Nast pnie zaproponowano aparat poj ciowy dotycz cy s dów rozumowych, s dów intuicyjnych
oraz intuicji jako szczególnego typu umiej tno ci. W oparciu o czterofazowy model pracy twórczej oraz
modele systemu 1 oraz systemu 2 wyja niono rol intuicji w pracy teoretyka zarz dzania. Pos uguj c
si czterofazowym modelem kompetencji, wyja niono rol intuicji w procesie podejmowania decyzji
kierowniczych. W opracowaniu wykazano, e intuicja stanowi kluczow umiej tno zarówno w teorii,
jak i w praktyce zarz dzania.
S owa kluczowe: intuicja, s d intuicyjny, poznanie intuicyjne decyzje kierownicze, epistemologia nauk
o zarz dzaniu.
JEL: D20, M20, B40
Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Management Issues – Problemy Zarz dzania vol. 17, no. 2(82), 2019 143
1. Introduction
One of the most important issues in the area of management science
is the decision-making process (Simon, 2013), (Sinclair & Ashkanasy,
2005). Managers must make decisions under the pressure of time, in the
absence of recognized algorithms for resolving management problems, or
the lack of standards for the assessment of measures taken (Laszczak,
2010). Therefore, the decision-making process takes place in conditions of
permanent uncertainty, which manifests itself, inter alia, in limited amounts
of information or incomplete data (Hodgkinson et al., 2009).
Authors exploring the subject claim that managers perceive their work
more as art than science (Su kowski, 2015; Micklethwait & Wooldridge,
1996; Sudo , 2014). One of the fundamental reasons for this status quo
is the inadequacy of the management theory in relation to problems
faced by management practitioners in the decision-making process. In the
practice of management, intuition plays the key role – the use of classical
management theory based on analytical processes which require a lot of
information becomes limited (Akinci & Sadler-Smith, 2012). It seems that
the perception of intuition is the primary cause of the discrepancy between
the theory and practice of management (Ghoshal, 2005). It is often stated
that while intuition can be a tool for a manager, theoretician should abstain
from using it. Management theorists often perceive intuition as unspecified
and irrational. Intuition is, however, an important cognitive tool for both
managers and management theoreticians. This study presents intuition as
a common feature of management practitioners and theoreticians.
The article explains the role of intuition in the theory and practice
of management. Through exploring the similarities and differences in the
perception of intuition by theoreticians and practitioners of management in
the context of their work, we can contribute to a better understanding and,
consequently, to reducing the discrepancy between the theory and practice
of management. Considering the above, the aim of this study is to explain
the role of rational and intuitive cognition in the theory and practice of
management. This objective shall be pursued through the application of
the following methods and models:
– conceptual construction methods – in order to develop an appropriate
terminology of intuition;
– a four-stage model of the creative process and a model of System 1 and
System 2 – to explain the role of intuition in the work of a theoretician
of management;
– a four-stage model of competence and a model of System 1 and
System 2 – to explain the role of intuition in the work of a management
practitioner.
The article is organized as follows: Section (1) presents the theoretical
problem related to the use of intuition in the theory and practice of
144 DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
management. Section (2) contains a synthetic overview of definitions and
interpretations of the concept of intuition. In section (3), on the basis of
the traditional theory of knowledge, the concepts of rational judgment and
intuitive judgment are defined and presented as two components of the
knowledge of the subject of cognition. Subsequently, our own definition
of intuition as a specific type of skills is presented. Section (4) explains
the role of intuition in the work of the theoretician of management on
the basis of the four-stage model of the creative process and the model
of System 1 and System 2. Section (5) explains the role of intuition in the
decision-making process in management practice on the basis of the four-
stage model of competence and the model of System 1 and System 2. In
section (6), research results were summarized and further research directions
are indicated.
2. The essence of intuition
The word ‚intuition’ comes from two Latin words: ‚intueri’, meaning to
look at, gaze upon, and ‚intuitio’, meaning premonition (Kr piec, 2003).
Intuition is the subject of interest in many fields of science, including
philosophy, psychology, cognitive science, or neurocognitive science. The
concept of intuition occurs in literature as a word defining the type of
cognition, the type of knowledge, or the power of the mind enabling
a specific type of cognition (Rorty, 1967).
One of the basic philosophical approaches is to treat ‚intuition’ as
a specific cognitive tool. According to Plato, intuition is an extra-rational
tool enabling people to get to know the world of ideas. Plato distinguished
two types of reality – a perfect and unchangeable world of ideas, and an
imperfect and changeable physical world. According to Plato, intuition is
a kind of bridge between the two worlds. Knowledge that has no sources in
rational cognition is the effect of intuition (Wolfsdorf, 2011). Descartes, on
the other hand, indicates that intuition is, despite reason, a component of
the intellect. Intuition in this sense is a tool of direct cognition, which does
not require either perception or the use of reasoning methods. Intuition is
the opposite of reason, itself the tool of indirect cognition, which requires
perception and necessary reasoning (Descartes, 2018). Leibniz divided the
objects of cognition into two categories: necessary truths and contingent
truths. Examples of necessary truths include certain mathematical axioms,
identity relation or contradictions. According to Leibniz, learning necessary
truths is possible only through intuition. Thus, according to Leibniz, intuition
is a cognitive tool that enables us to learn necessary truths. I. Kant, however,
perceived intuition differently. According to Kant, intuition belongs to
senses, not mind. Sensory intuition is a cognitive tool in the sense that
it enables the mind to develop concepts that become the object of the
synthesis of reason. In addition to sensory intuition, Kant also distinguished
Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Management Issues – Problemy Zarz dzania vol. 17, no. 2(82), 2019 145
the so-called pure form of intuition, which included two a priori forms of
sensibility – time and space (Thompson, 1972). For E. Husserl, intuition is
the source of knowledge. Reasoning without intuition is not possible because
intuition is its foundation, as is provides premises for reasoning. According to
E. Husserl, the role of intuition in cognition prevails over reason. A similar
position on the role of intuition in the process of cognition is expressed
by J.M. Boche ski, who distinguishes two types of intuition. The first is
intuition preceding reasoning, and the second is intuition manifested in the
vision of the entire system created in the process of reasoning. According
to C.G. Jung, intuition is a kind of organ that functions outside of the
person’s consciousness. Intuition is an opposition to reason, functioning on
the level of consciousness. C.G. Jung attributed to intuition a role that was
superior to the role of reason in creative processes. In this sense, intuition
is a necessary basis for the creative process, without which reason remains
useless (Dane & Pratt, 2007).
Intuition is an important subject of interest for representatives of
management sciences (Khatri & Ng, 2000). One of the first researchers in
this discipline who undertook to define and interpret the concept of intuition
was Ch. Barnard. In the 1930s, he proposed two ways of decision-making
– logical and non-logical (Agor, 1989). The logical process of decision-making
was based on reasoning expressed in words or symbols. The non-logical way
of making decisions cannot be expressed in words. This is a reasoning that
can only be learned by making a decision, expressing judgment, or as the
effects of an action. In the opinion of Ch. Barnard, non-logical decisions
are the result of intuition. According to W.H. Agor, intuition is a way of
thinking at the interface of consciousness and unconsciousness (Agor, 1989).
This mechanism is launched in the face of the decision-making situation,
giving ready answers. H. Simon states that decision-making processes are
twofold. In this process, two mechanisms are used – analytical thinking
and intuitive thinking. H. Simon treats intuition as a rational process,
based on the work of the mind, which searches memory and previous
experiences in aim to find analogies to current decision problems (Simon,
2013). I. Nonaka and H. Takeuchi, however, propose the concept of tacit
knowledge as an opposition to explicit knowledge (Nonaka et al., 2009).
Tacit knowledge consists of three elements: intuitive knowledge, instinctual
knowledge and emotional knowledge. J. Parikh points out that intuition is
a form of intelligence whose source lies in cumulative experience beyond
the consciousness of the subject. The results of the operation of intuition
are ready assessment and decisions (Parikh, 1994). Currently, an increasing
number of management science studies explores the subject of intuition,
especially in relation to such issues as (Laszczak, 2010):
– decision-making procedures in an organization;
– intuitive abilities of managers;
– the impact of intuitive decisions on the organization’s effectiveness;
146 DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
– factors influencing the intuitive way of making decisions;
– presence of intuition in making decisions at various levels of management.
3. Intuition as a skill
On the grounds of epistemology, the starting point to define the word
‘knowledge’ is the analysis of the sentence: S knows that P ( ukasiewicz,
2018). Knowledge is most commonly defined as justified true belief (JTB).
In accordance with the presented conception S knows that P, if and only if:
1. S believes that P.
2. P is true.
3. S is justified in believing that P (Gettier, 2017, pp. 69–70).
Literature points to the disadvantages of the JTB concept, mainly related
to the condition of truth (condition 2) and the condition of justified belief
(condition 3). One of the most important objections to the truth condition
of knowledge is the lack of universal consent in terms of the definition of
truth. It is even commonly believed that formulating a definition of truth
is, in principle, impossible. The presented situation is a strong premise to
exclude the truth condition from the definition of knowledge. In the case
of adopting ex cathedra one of the concepts of truth, such as the consensus
theory of truth (conventionalism), in which true statements are considered
to be true when the majority of specialists in a given field consider them as
true, a fundamental problem appears. It is based on the discrepancy between
the common use of the word ‘know’ and the assumed concept of truth.
It is, thus, impossible to eliminate from common use statements such as:
– I know that the Earth is flat;
– I know that you can cure cancer using vitamin C;
– I know that there exists a perpetual motion machine.
In the context of the consensus theory of truth, all of the indicated
statements are obviously untrue. On the one hand, an individual who
utters such sentences is, on the whole, convinced of their truth and may
consider them as components of his/her knowledge. On the other hand,
external observers usually consider all of the above sentences as untrue and,
on this basis, they call such knowledge untrue. The common use of the
statement “I know that…” shows, therefore, the existence of two types of
knowledge – true and false. A separate group contains sentences such as:
“God exists”, the truth of which seems to be unverifiable on the grounds
of the correspondence theory of truth. Although people who recognize
such a judgment are often not conscious of the impossibility of verifying
its truth, they consider it as a component of their knowledge (often one of
great importance for them). Regardless of the adopted concept of truth, it
should be recognized that, in its common use, the concept of knowledge
is not immanently attributed to the truth condition. Thus, authors of this
article decided to propose a concept of knowledge devoid of a necessary
Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Management Issues – Problemy Zarz dzania vol. 17, no. 2(82), 2019 147
truth condition. It is also assumed that the statement according to which
one of the conditions of knowledge is a sufficient justification of a given
sentence (P) by the subject of cognition (S) is in disagreement with the
common use of the word ‘know’. We often witness situations in which
the subject claims: “I know this and that, though I do not know why.”
Such a situation is sometimes described as intuition or the sixth Sense.
It was assumed that the statement that these types of judgments are not
the subject’s knowledge seems to be incompatible with the common sense
and common meaning of the word ‘know’. Thus, a concept of knowledge
devoid of the necessary condition of both truth and sufficient justification
is proposed in this article.
The classical definition of knowledge understood as Justified True Beliefs,
devoid of the two conditions, i.e. truth and sufficient justification, amounts
to a set of believes. As a result, the following definition of knowledge is
proposed (Nowak, 2019):
Definition 1. Knowledge is a set of judgments about the reality of the
subject of cognition
Judgment is understood as a sentence containing statements about
reality. Thus, both an interrogative sentence and an imperative sentence
do not meet the requirements of knowledge. If a subject asks a question,
provided that it is not a rhetorical question, then his/her intention is to
acquire knowledge. If, on the other hand, one formulates a command, (s)he
intends to influence reality rather than to make statements about it. Another
issue to consider is the origin of judgments, i.e. on what basis the subject of
cognition makes certain statements. Basically, two types of judgments can
be distinguished (on the basis of the criterion of origin): judgments based
on other judgments of the subject of cognition and judgments not based
on other judgments of the subject of cognition. This assumption enables
us to formulate the definition of logical judgment and intuitive judgment.
Definition 2. Logical judgment is judgment based logically on other
judgments of the subject of cognition
Judgment which is logically justified on the grounds of other statements
of the subject of cognition can also be called rational judgment.
Definition 3. Intuitive judgment is judgment not based on other judgments
of the subject of cognition
As intuitive judgment is not based on other judgments, it is judgment
without logical justification, thus it is alogical judgment. Each subject of
cognition has a certain set of judgments at a given moment – some of them
can be classified as rational judgments, and some as intuitive judgments.
Both types of judgment form the knowledge base of the subject of cognition.
Every subject of cognition, apart from knowledge, possesses a certain set of
skills. Skills associated with making logical judgments (the ability to think
logically) are a component of the intellect. The conducted analysis allows
us to define intuition as a specific type of skills.
148 DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
Definition 4. The ability to form intuitive judgments is called intuition
The indicated definition does not refer to the accuracy (compliance with
reality) of intuitive judgments. However, it does not seem necessary. There
exists a group of intuitive judgments whose accuracy or compliance with
reality at the given moment are impossible to determine. An example of this
type of judgment is any forecast. Not assigning accuracy or compliance with
reality to intuition also seems consistent with the common understanding of
intuition. In everyday speech, we commonly refer to good or bad intuition.
Good intuition characterizes a person who has the ability to form accurate
intuitive judgments. On the other hand, a person whose intuitive judgments
are generally inaccurate is said to have bad intuition
The juxtaposition of the theory and practice of management, in
the context of the occurrence of different types of cognition (rational
and intuitive), requires prior definition of the concepts of practice and
theory. A reflection of reality in the form of a system of sentences can
be called a theory (Pszczo owski, 1978, pp. 182). A scientific theory is
a particular type of theory. A scientific theory can be understood as
a system of sentences making a statement about a certain object of
reality characterized simultaneously by the combined occurrence of three
attributes: intersubjective communicability, intersubjective verifiability,
and cognitive or utilitarian validity. Practice, on the other hand, is the
field of human activity that consists in changing a certain object of reality
(Pszczo owski, 1978, pp. 182). The logical consequence of the adopted
conceptual apparatus is that the process of developing the theory is also
a practice. Such an action is, in itself, also a change of reality, for example
through writing with ink on a white card. At the same time, the creation
of theory (as practice) is not theory. Theorizing (practice) is a certain
activity whose effect is a theory. Theory as a system of sentences reflecting
a chosen object of reality creates a resource of the subject of cognition,
which is called knowledge. The resource of the subject, created as a result
of practice, becomes skills.
4. Intuition in management theory
The subject of Section 4 is the analysis of the action that consists in
the creation of a scientific theory, including the participation of rational
and intuitive cognition. The aim of a theoretician is to develop a scientific
theory (including management theory). The theoretician’s means of action
are knowledge and skills. It has been assumed that the action of developing
a scientific theory is of a creative nature. This is due to the fact that this action
consists in formulating and verifying new judgments (previously unknown to
science). In the presented context, the development of a scientific theory
can be presented as a creative action consisting of the following stages
(Sadler-Smith, 2015):
Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Management Issues – Problemy Zarz dzania vol. 17, no. 2(82), 2019 149
– Preparation – involving an expansion of the knowledge base on the
subject of the theory;
– Incubation – when the subject of the theory remains beyond the scope
of conscious reasoning;
– Illumination – making judgment that are not based on other known
judgments using logical reasoning;
– Verification – confirming a given judgment through its logical justification
in comparison to other previously recognized logical judgements.
The effect of the third stage of the creative process model is judgment
that can be called an idea. The mechanism of reaching such judgments is
called heuristic. From the point of view of the objectives of this article, the
problem of the mechanism of idea formulation will be omitted, whereas the
effect of this mechanism in the form of an idea shall be analyzed. This idea
constitutes judgment that finds no confirmation in existing scientific theories.
Thus, such judgment can be called intuitive judgment, since it does not
directly result from previously recognized judgments. Indirectly, however,
it results from the knowledge of the theoretician broadened as a result
of increasing the knowledge base about the subject matter of the theory
during the preparation stage. From the point of view of the methodology
of science, such judgment is called a hypothesis or a thesis. In order for
intuitive judgment to become part of a known or new scientific theory
it must be subjected to a rigorous scientific procedure: verification, or
falsification (for hypotheses) or proof (for thesis). A given intuitive judgment
becomes an element of a scientific theory after conducting reasoning aimed
at its recognition. Through experience, consisting in increasing the amount
of knowledge and developing new theories (or its elements, theoretical
models, etc.), the theoretician acquires skills in this area – intuition is
being improved.
The theoretician’s activity can also be presented in the context of
D. Kahneman’s System 1 and System 2 theory (2011). D. Kahneman
distinguishes between two modes of thinking – System 1 and System 2.
System 1, the so-called fast thinking system works automatically, without
any significant effort of the subject of cognition. At the same time, it makes
no sense to consciously control it. System 2, the so-called slow system
of thinking is a deliberate system, consciously initiated by the subject of
cognition. System 2 is responsible for activities that require a significant
effort of the cognitive entity. The functioning of System 2, therefore,
involves a subjective sense of focus and a conscious action. In the context
of D. Kahneman’s theory, it can be stated that System 1 is responsible
for formulating intuitive judgments, and thus it is responsible for the key
stage in the development of a new scientific theory, i.e. for formulating
intuitive judgments – ideas. This process takes place outside the mechanism
of reasoning, inaccessible to System 1. The role of System 2 is, therefore,
reasoning aimed at the rational justification of intuitive judgment.
150 DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
The following conclusions can be drawn from the presented process:
– a necessary condition for formulating a thesis or a hypothesis constituting
an element of a scientific theory is the acquisition of a means of action
in the form of knowledge, concerning the studied object of reality;
– intuition, as a skill, is a tool for formulating intuitive judgments – ideas
in the form of hypotheses or theses;
– intuition is a sine qua non condition for the development of scientific
theories;
– reasoning is secondary to intuition in the development of scientific
theories – reasoning is a tool for logical justification of intuitive judgments
formed with the use of intuition;
– the effect of the theoretician’s activity is knowledge and ability in the
form of intuition;
– intuitive judgments are the effect of the functioning of System 1;
– rational judgments are the effect of the functioning of System 2.
In conclusion, for a theoretician, intuitive cognition precedes rational
cognition. There is a causal link between the two types of cognition. Making
intuitive judgment is the condition for making rational judgments. Therefore,
the researcher’s intuition forms the basis of theory, and reasoning confirms
this theory. The effect of theoretician’s work is given only in the form of
a set of rational judgments.
5. Intuition in management practices
The aim of the management practitioner is to improve the skill of making
effective management decisions (Simon, 1987), (Griffin, 2016), (Cleden,
2017), (Ceschi et al., 2017). A managerial decision is a specific type of
judgment about the optimal choice of one alternative instead of other
available alternatives. Therefore, a managerial decision may be rational
judgment (based logically on other recognized judgments) or intuitive
judgment (not logically based on other rational judgments).
The process of shaping the ability to make effective decisions can be
described using the four-stage model of competence. This model includes
the following phases (Lynch, 2017):
– unconscious incompetence;
– conscious incompetence;
– conscious competence;
– unconscious competence.
The transition from the phase of conscious incompetence to the
conscious competence phase takes place in the learning process. The
learning process is carried out using two mechanisms – learning about the
subject of decisions taken and learning through decision-making practice
(often for many years). The manager improves his/her key skill on the basis
of theoretical knowledge and knowledge derived from experience (the effects
Intuitive and Rational Cognition in the Theory and Practice of Management Sciences
Management Issues – Problemy Zarz dzania vol. 17, no. 2(82), 2019 151
of earlier decisions). Improvement of the manager in the scope of decision-
making skills results in the fact that a wide range of managerial decisions
previously taken consciously using System 2 (and therefore the mechanism
of reasoning) becomes decisions made by System 1 (whose mechanisms
cease to be realized). Therefore, in the case of a typical, repeated decision,
it is desirable that the manager ought to be guided not by reason, but by
the skill in the form of intuition. At the same time, it should be noted that
this applies to problems that the manager would solve analogically using
the reasoning mechanism. The shift of a wide range of activities from
System 2 to System 1 provide managers with a number of benefits, the
most important of which are: reduced effort, lack of necessary attention and
a greater speed of decision making. A particularly important advantage of
the use of intuition (System 1) is the speed of decision making – the need
to make decisions under time pressure is a fundamental problem faced by
managers (Beach & Lipshitz, 2017), (Luhmann, 2018).
In the case of non-typical decisions or those burdened with a high level
of uncertainty, reasoning becomes inadequate. Forecasting is an example
of this type of activity. To a large extent, decisions regarding the future
are made on the basis of the decision-makers’ intuition (Salas et al., 2010).
At the same time, it should be noted that intuition and its effects in the
form of intuitive judgments are built on the basis of experience of the
decision-maker and previously made rational judgments (based on both
current practice and theory).
The following conclusions can be derived from the presented process:
– intuition is a skill built by the decision maker in the process of acquiring
experience related to both practice and knowledge,
– for many typical managerial decisions, intuitive judgments have a number
of advantages over decisions based on rational judgments,
– intuition is a key tool for making non-standard decisions,
– intuition is the basic decision-making tool in the work of a management
practitioner.
In the case of a management practitioner, the situation is different
than in the case of a theoretician. Intuition is both the basis for making
decisions (typical and non-typical), as well as the result of earlier decisions.
Intuitive decisions concern a number of management actions related to
planning, organizing, motivating and controlling. Managerial decisions are
not judged from the point of view of the logic of judgments, but from
the point of view of their effectiveness. Therefore, considering the role
of intuition in the decision-making process, management practice can be
perceived as a combination of elements related to both science and art.
The basic tool for making decisions by a manager is intuition. Intuition
is a skill that arises from the knowledge gained by the manager, which
consists of two sets of judgments: rational and intuitive. Knowledge is
acquired by the manager basically in two ways. One of them is learning the
152 DOI 10.7172/1644-9584.82.7
Marcin Nowak, Joanna Ziomek
scientific theory, and the other is gaining experience from the assessment
of previous decisions.
6. Summary
The article proposes a new terminology for intuition. Intuition has
been defined as the ability to form intuitive judgments. Intuitive judgment,
however, was understood as judgment not based on other judgments of
the subject of cognition. The article also explains the role of cognition and
intuitive cognition in the theory and practice of management. The study
shows that intuition is a key skill in the context of theory and management
practice. It was indicated that intuition is a prerequisite for the formulation
of scientific theories. Using the four-stage model of the creative process, it
was found that reasoning is secondary to intuition in the development of
scientific theories – it serves to logically justify intuitive judgments. Using
the four-stage model of competence, it was indicated that intuition is also
a key tool for making managerial decisions. The advantages of using intuition
in the practice of management in relation to typical as well as non-typical
decision problems have been demonstrated. Both the development of
theory and management practice are associated with the improvement of
intuition. The effect of this study is the explanation of the role of intuition
in the theory and practice of management. This article is a contribution to
further work on topics related to the presence of intuition in the theory
and practice of management.
The publication was financed from the funds for the statutory activity of the
Faculty of Engineering Management at Pozna University of Technology, under
the DS M odzi grant “Epistemology of management sciences”, No. 11/142/
DSMK/1000. Project leader – Marcin Nowak, PhD, Eng.
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