Difference between revisions of "Decision-making"

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[[Decision-making]] (alternatively spelled, [[decision making]]) is the action, process, and/or [[creative behavior]] of making [[decision]]s.
 
[[Decision-making]] (alternatively spelled, [[decision making]]) is the action, process, and/or [[creative behavior]] of making [[decision]]s.
  
 +
==Definitions==
 +
According to [[Managerial Accounting by Braun, Tietz (5th edition)]],
 +
:[[Decision making]]. Identifying possible courses of action and choosing among them.
  
==Tasks==
+
==Decisions==
 +
[[File:Solution-project.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Problem]], [[solution]], and [[project]]]][[File:Discretion.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Decisional discretion]]]]Any [[decision]] is a choice made from among two or more alternatives. Many [[decision]]s are made to resolve some [[problem]]; the criteria that define what's important or relevant to resolving that ''problem'' are known as [[decision criteria]]. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation is known as [[decisional discretion]].
 +
 
 +
===Programmed vs non-programmed===
 +
:*[[Programmed decision]]. Any [[decision]] to follow a [[policy]], [[operative rule]], another [[regulation]], or to routinely repeat one's previous decision that has been made while handling a similarly [[structured task]].
 +
:*[[Non-programmed decision]] ([[Non-programmed decision|creative decision]]). A unique and nonrecurring [[decision]] that requires a custom-made [[solution]].
 +
 
 +
===Individual vs collective===
 +
:*[[Individual decision-making]]. ''Decision-making'' made by an individual as opposed to [[group decision-making]].
 +
:*[[Group decision-making]]. ''Decision-making'' made by a [[group]] as opposed to [[individual decision-making]].
 +
 
 +
===Significant vs sounding===
 +
:Some [[decision]]s are made to solve significant [[problem]]s; the opposite extreme may be referred as [[sounding board]].
 +
 
 +
==Processes==
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[[File:Process.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Process]]]]''Decision-making'' is a [[process]] or a sequenced series, predefined, empiric, and/or merely chaotic, of [[activity|activiti]]es undertaken in order to achieve particular results. [[Effort engineering]] defines that those ''activities'' convert [[input]]s into desired [[output]]s utilizing some [[process asset]]s such as tools and [[technique]]s and while being influenced by [[enterprise factor]]s.
 +
 
 +
===Linear vs nonlinear===
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:''Decision-making'' processes may be linear or nonlinear.
 +
 
 +
===Agile vs rigid===
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:''Decision-making'' processes may be agile and, particularly, complying with the [[Agile methodology]], or rigit.
 +
 
 +
===Thorough vs shortcut===
 +
:*[[Bounded rationality]]. ''Decision-making'' that is rational, but limited (bounded) by an individual's ability to process information. In other words, [[bounded rationality]] is a process of making decisions by constructing simplified models that extract the essential features from problems without capturing all their complexity.
 +
:*[[Escalation of commitment]]. An increased commitment to a previous decision despite evidence it may have been wrong.
 +
 
 +
==Strategies==
 +
[[Decision-making strategy]]. The [[strategy]] that is chosen to undertake a particular ''decision-making'' process.
 +
 
 +
===Optimizing vs. satisficing===
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:*[[Decision-making optimization]]. The [[strategy]] that strives to choose the most feasible solution or alternative to the problem from among the list of possible alternatives, while taking into consideration the nature of the [[decision]] and its [[job task]], environmental factors, resources, and [[decision-making dilemma]]s.
 +
:*[[Satisfice]]. Acceptance of solutions that are "good enough." The term, [[satisficing]], came from the combination of "satisfactory" and "sufficient." This strategy is done by choosing the first satisfactory option over the best alternative.
 +
 
 +
===Conservative vs aggressive===
 +
:*[[Allostasis]]. Working to change behavior and attitude to find stability.
 +
:*[[Risk aversion]]. The tendency to prefer a sure gain of a moderate amount over a riskier outcome, even if the riskier outcome might have a higher expected payoff.
 +
:*[[Maximax]] ([[maximize the maximums]]). A decision-making strategy that openly takes risks because the approach is choosing the alternatives based on their highest potentials and most favorable outcomes.
 +
:*[[Maximin]] ([[maximize the minimums]]). In contrast to the [[maximax]] strategy, the [[decision maker]] settles for the alternative with the highest minimum payoff for failures or negative outcomes.
 +
 
 +
==Resources==
 +
''Decision-making'' may involve particular costs, as well as require particular time and assets. Sufficiency of [[data]], time, adequacy of [[technique]]s and [[tool]]s, as well as [[enterprise competence]] of the [[decision maker]] impact the [[quality]] of [[decision]]s.
 +
 
 +
===Sufficient vs deficient data===
 +
:Any [[decision]] is based on [[data]]. The deficiency of that ''data'' may impact the quality of ''decision-making'' and its outcomes.
  
===Structured vs unstructured===
+
===Tools and techniques===
:'''[[Task structure]]'''. One of Fiedler's situational contingencies that describes the degree to which job assignments are formalized and structured.
+
:As a part of one's [[enterprise competence]], [[decision maker]]'s [[capacity]] to utilize various [[technique]]s and [[tool]]s may impact the quality of ''decision-making''. The complex decisions may require advanced tools such as an [[enterprise resource planning ecosystem]] ([[enterprise resource planning ecosystem|ERP ecosystem]]), [[management information system]] ([[management information system|MIS]]), and/or other ''tools''. Thus, accessibility of tools and resources may play its role as well.
:*[[Structured task]].
 
:*[[Unstructured task]].
 
  
===Error-tolerant vs error-intolerant===
+
===Time-pressing vs time-insensitive===
===Competitive vs non-competitive===
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:Time availability varies. [[Time pressure]] refers to how often the [[job task]] requires the worker to meet strict deadlines. How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
===Time-sensitive vs time-insensitive===
 
===High-priority vs low-priority===
 
  
:'''[[Task attribute]]'''.
+
==Tasks==
:*'''[[Consequence of error]]'''. How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
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Those [[decision]]s that shall be made to execute a particular [[job task]] may or may not adapt to various [[task attribute]]s such as [[consequence of error]], [[impact on enterprise]], [[importance of being accurate]], [[level of competition]], [[task structure]], [[Work virtualization|virtualization]], and others.
:*'''[[Degree of automation]]'''. How automated is the job?
 
:*'''[[Freedom to make decisions]]'''. How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
 
:*'''[[Frequency of decision-making]]'''. How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
 
:*'''[[Impact on enterprise]]'''. What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
 
:*'''[[Importance of being accurate]]'''. How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
 
:*'''[[Importance of repeating same tasks]]'''. How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
 
:*'''[[Level of competition]]'''. To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
 
:*'''[[Time pressure]]'''. How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
 
:*'''[[Work schedule]]'''. How regular are the work schedules for this job and what is the number of hours typically worked in one week?
 
:*'''[[Work virtualization]]'''. The degree to which work is done remotely rather than at some specific physical location.
 
  
==Decisions==
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===Structured vs unstructured===
[[File:Discretion.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Decisional discretion]]]]Any [[decision]] is a choice made from among two or more alternatives. The criteria that define what's important or relevant to resolving a [[problem]] are known as [[decision criteria]]. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation is known as [[decisional discretion]].
+
:'''[[Task structure]]'''. One of [[Fiedler contingency model|Fiedler]]'s situational contingencies that describes the degree to which job assignments are formalized and structured.
 +
:*[[Structured task]]. The [[job task]] that is well-defined and which parts are organized in the way that they relate well to each other.
 +
:*[[Unstructured task]]. The [[job task]] that is ambiguous and which parts are needed to be discovered, researched, understood, and/or organized in the way that they would relate well to each other.
  
===Programmed vs non-programmed===
+
===Error-untenable vs error-tolerant===
#[[Programmed decision]]. Any [[decision]] to follow a [[policy]], [[operative rule]], another [[regulation]], or to routinely repeat one's previous decision that has been made while handling a similarly [[structured task]].
+
:'''[[Consequence of error]]'''. How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
#[[Non-programmed decision]] ([[Non-programmed decision|creative decision]]). A unique and nonrecurring [[decision]] that requires a custom-made [[solution]].
 
  
===Individual vs collective===
+
===Competitive vs non-competitive===
#[[Individual decision-making]]. [[Decision-making]] made by an individual as opposed to [[group decision-making]].
+
:'''[[Level of competition]]'''. To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
#[[Group decision-making]].
 
  
===Problem-solving vs sounding===
+
===Impactful vs non-influential===
:[[File:Solution-project.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Problem]], [[solution]], and [[project]]]]
+
:'''[[Impact on enterprise]]'''. What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
  
 
==Factors==
 
==Factors==
===Forcing vs free-willing===
+
Various [[enterprise factor]]s may influence the ''decision-making'' process.
 +
 
 +
===Forcing vs backgrounding===
 +
:Some factors such as [[regulatory compliance]] are mandatory; some such as weather are on the background of the ''decision-making'' process.
  
 
===Controlled vs uncontrolled===
 
===Controlled vs uncontrolled===
:'''[[Controlled expectancy]]'''. A situation in which a decision maker is able to estimate the likelihood of certain outcomes.
+
:'''[[Situational control]]'''. The [[capacity]] of a [[decision maker]] to manage the situation and estimate the likelihood of certain outcomes.
:#[[Certainty]]. A situation in which a decision maker can make accurate decisions because all outcomes are known.
+
:*[[Certainty]]. A situation in which a decision maker can make accurate [[decision]]s because all the data and outcomes are known.
:#[[Uncertainty]]. A situation in which a decision maker has neither [[certainty]] nor reasonable probability estimates available.
+
:*[[Uncertainty]]. A situation in which a decision maker has neither [[certainty]] nor reasonable probability estimates available.
  
 
===Internal vs external===
 
===Internal vs external===
:'''[[Core self-evaluation]]'''. Bottom-line conclusions individuals have about their capacities, competence, and worth as a person. In other words, self-believing in one's inner worth and basic competence.
+
:Both internal and external factors contribute to the quality of ''decision-making''.
:#[[General mental ability]]. An overall factor of intelligence, as suggested by the positive correlations among specific intellectual ability dimensions.
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:*The internal factors may include [[core self-evaluation]], [[decisional tendency]], [[general mental ability]], personal [[values]] and beliefs, as well as [[emotion]]s and [[mood]]s of the [[decision maker]].
:[[Emotion]].  
+
:*The external factors may include natural forces such as time of the day and day of the week when ''decision-making'' takes place, as well as [[cultural factor|cultural]], economic, social, and political forces.
:[[Mood]].
 
  
 
==Approaches==
 
==Approaches==
 
[[File:Decision.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Decision-making approach]]]][[Decision-making approach]]. A particular manner of taking preliminary steps toward making a [[decision]].
 
[[File:Decision.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Decision-making approach]]]][[Decision-making approach]]. A particular manner of taking preliminary steps toward making a [[decision]].
 
===Rational===
 
===Rational===
:'''[[Rational decision-making]]'''. [[Decision-making]] that produces choices that are logical and consistent and maximize value.
+
:'''[[Rational decision-making]]'''. ''Decision-making'' that produces choices that are logical and consistent and maximize value.
 
:*[[Rationale]]. A reasoning characterized by making consistent, value-maximizing choices within specified constraints.
 
:*[[Rationale]]. A reasoning characterized by making consistent, value-maximizing choices within specified constraints.
 +
:'''[[Rational decision-making model]]'''. A decision-making model that describes how individuals may rationally behave in order to maximize the outcomes from the [[decision]].<blockquote><table class="wikitable" width=100% style="text-align:center;"><tr><th>[[DREPD]]</th><th>[[GOFER]]</th><th>[[DECIDE]]</th><th>[[Seven-step decision-making]]</th></tr><tr><td rowspan="3">[[Enterprise discovery|'''D'''iscover]]</td><td rowspan="2">'''G'''oals clarification.</td><td>'''D'''efine the problem.</td><td>'''O'''utline your goal and outcome.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">'''E'''stablish all the criteria (constraints).</td><td>Gather data.</td></tr><tr><td>'''Options''' generation.</td><td rowspan="2">Develop alternatives.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2">[[Enterprise research|'''R'''esearch]]</td><td>'''F'''acts-finding.</td><td rowspan="2">'''C'''onsider all the alternatives.</td></tr><tr><td>Consideration of '''E'''ffects</td><td>List pros and cons of each alternative.</td></tr><tr><td>[[Enterprise envisioning|'''E'''nvision]]</td><td rowspan="3">'''R'''eview and implementation.</td><td>'''I'''dentify the best alternative.</td><td>Make the decision.</td></tr><tr><td>[[Enterprise planning|'''P'''lan]]</td><td>'''D'''evelop and implement a plan of action</td><td>Immediately take action to implement it.</td></tr><tr><td>[[Enterprise discovery|'''D'''o and discover again]]</td><td>'''E'''valuate and monitor the solution and examine feedback when necessary</td><td>Learn from and reflect on the decision.</td></tr></table></blockquote>
 +
:*[[File:7-step-rational.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Seven-step decision-making]]]][[Seven-step decision-making]]. A [[rational decision-making model]] that consists of seven steps.
  
 
===Intuitive===
 
===Intuitive===
:'''[[Intuitive decision-making]]'''. Unconscious [[decision-making]] on the basis of distilled experience, feelings, and accumulated judgment.
+
:'''[[Intuitive decision-making]]'''. Unconscious ''decision-making'' on the basis of distilled experience, feelings, and accumulated judgment.
 
:*[[File:Intuition.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Intuition]]]][[Intuition]]. An instinctive feeling not necessarily supported by research.
 
:*[[File:Intuition.png|400px|thumb|right|[[Intuition]]]][[Intuition]]. An instinctive feeling not necessarily supported by research.
 
===Ad hoc===
 
===Ad hoc===
:'''[[Ad hoc decision-making]]'''.  
+
:'''[[Ad hoc decision-making]]'''. ''Decision-making'' that happens only for a particular purpose or need, not planned before it happens.  
 
:*[[Design thinking]]. Approaching management problems as designers approach design problems.
 
:*[[Design thinking]]. Approaching management problems as designers approach design problems.
:*[[Heuristic]]. A rule of thumb that decision makers use to simplify [[decision-making]].
+
:*[[Heuristic]]. A rule of thumb that decision makers use to simplify ''decision-making''.
 
 
==Tendencies==
 
'''[[Decisional tendency]]'''.
 
 
 
===Optimizing vs. satisficing===
 
#[[Satisfice]]. Acceptance of solutions that are "good enough."
 
 
 
===Conservative vs aggressive===
 
#[[Allostasis]]. Working to change behavior and attitude to find stability.
 
#[[Risk aversion]]. The tendency to prefer a sure gain of a moderate amount over a riskier outcome, even if the riskier outcome might have a higher expected payoff.
 
 
 
==Process types==
 
===Agile vs rigid===
 
 
 
===Linear vs nonlinear===
 
 
 
===Thorough vs shortcut===
 
#[[Bounded rationality]]. [[Decision-making]] that is rational, but limited (bounded) by an individual's ability to process information. In other words, [[bounded rationality]] is a process of making decisions by constructing simplified models that extract the essential features from problems without capturing all their complexity.
 
#[[Escalation of commitment]]. An increased commitment to a previous decision despite evidence it may have been wrong.
 
  
 
==Considerations==
 
==Considerations==
'''[[Decision-making dilemma]]'''. Optimizing vs. satisficing, intuitive vs rational vs ad hoc, Agile vs rigid, conservative vs aggressive, linear vs nonlinear
+
'''[[Decision-making dilemma]]'''. Optimizing vs. satisficing, intuitive vs rational vs ad hoc, Agile vs rigid, conservative vs aggressive, linear vs nonlinear.
  
 
===Self-regulation===
 
===Self-regulation===
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:*[[Ethics]]. Principles, [[values]], and beliefs that define what is right and wrong behavior.
 
:*[[Ethics]]. Principles, [[values]], and beliefs that define what is right and wrong behavior.
 
:*[[Behavioral ethics]]. Analyzing how people actually behave when confronted with [[ethical dilemma]]s.
 
:*[[Behavioral ethics]]. Analyzing how people actually behave when confronted with [[ethical dilemma]]s.
 +
 +
[[Category: Accounting]][[Category:Articles]]

Latest revision as of 00:26, 29 December 2020

Decision-making (alternatively spelled, decision making) is the action, process, and/or creative behavior of making decisions.

Definitions

According to Managerial Accounting by Braun, Tietz (5th edition),

Decision making. Identifying possible courses of action and choosing among them.

Decisions

Any decision is a choice made from among two or more alternatives. Many decisions are made to resolve some problem; the criteria that define what's important or relevant to resolving that problem are known as decision criteria. The freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation is known as decisional discretion.

Programmed vs non-programmed

Individual vs collective

Significant vs sounding

Some decisions are made to solve significant problems; the opposite extreme may be referred as sounding board.

Processes

Decision-making is a process or a sequenced series, predefined, empiric, and/or merely chaotic, of activities undertaken in order to achieve particular results. Effort engineering defines that those activities convert inputs into desired outputs utilizing some process assets such as tools and techniques and while being influenced by enterprise factors.

Linear vs nonlinear

Decision-making processes may be linear or nonlinear.

Agile vs rigid

Decision-making processes may be agile and, particularly, complying with the Agile methodology, or rigit.

Thorough vs shortcut

  • Bounded rationality. Decision-making that is rational, but limited (bounded) by an individual's ability to process information. In other words, bounded rationality is a process of making decisions by constructing simplified models that extract the essential features from problems without capturing all their complexity.
  • Escalation of commitment. An increased commitment to a previous decision despite evidence it may have been wrong.

Strategies

Decision-making strategy. The strategy that is chosen to undertake a particular decision-making process.

Optimizing vs. satisficing

  • Decision-making optimization. The strategy that strives to choose the most feasible solution or alternative to the problem from among the list of possible alternatives, while taking into consideration the nature of the decision and its job task, environmental factors, resources, and decision-making dilemmas.
  • Satisfice. Acceptance of solutions that are "good enough." The term, satisficing, came from the combination of "satisfactory" and "sufficient." This strategy is done by choosing the first satisfactory option over the best alternative.

Conservative vs aggressive

  • Allostasis. Working to change behavior and attitude to find stability.
  • Risk aversion. The tendency to prefer a sure gain of a moderate amount over a riskier outcome, even if the riskier outcome might have a higher expected payoff.
  • Maximax (maximize the maximums). A decision-making strategy that openly takes risks because the approach is choosing the alternatives based on their highest potentials and most favorable outcomes.
  • Maximin (maximize the minimums). In contrast to the maximax strategy, the decision maker settles for the alternative with the highest minimum payoff for failures or negative outcomes.

Resources

Decision-making may involve particular costs, as well as require particular time and assets. Sufficiency of data, time, adequacy of techniques and tools, as well as enterprise competence of the decision maker impact the quality of decisions.

Sufficient vs deficient data

Any decision is based on data. The deficiency of that data may impact the quality of decision-making and its outcomes.

Tools and techniques

As a part of one's enterprise competence, decision maker's capacity to utilize various techniques and tools may impact the quality of decision-making. The complex decisions may require advanced tools such as an enterprise resource planning ecosystem (ERP ecosystem), management information system (MIS), and/or other tools. Thus, accessibility of tools and resources may play its role as well.

Time-pressing vs time-insensitive

Time availability varies. Time pressure refers to how often the job task requires the worker to meet strict deadlines. How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

Tasks

Those decisions that shall be made to execute a particular job task may or may not adapt to various task attributes such as consequence of error, impact on enterprise, importance of being accurate, level of competition, task structure, virtualization, and others.

Structured vs unstructured

Task structure. One of Fiedler's situational contingencies that describes the degree to which job assignments are formalized and structured.
  • Structured task. The job task that is well-defined and which parts are organized in the way that they relate well to each other.
  • Unstructured task. The job task that is ambiguous and which parts are needed to be discovered, researched, understood, and/or organized in the way that they would relate well to each other.

Error-untenable vs error-tolerant

Consequence of error. How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?

Competitive vs non-competitive

Level of competition. To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

Impactful vs non-influential

Impact on enterprise. What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

Factors

Various enterprise factors may influence the decision-making process.

Forcing vs backgrounding

Some factors such as regulatory compliance are mandatory; some such as weather are on the background of the decision-making process.

Controlled vs uncontrolled

Situational control. The capacity of a decision maker to manage the situation and estimate the likelihood of certain outcomes.
  • Certainty. A situation in which a decision maker can make accurate decisions because all the data and outcomes are known.
  • Uncertainty. A situation in which a decision maker has neither certainty nor reasonable probability estimates available.

Internal vs external

Both internal and external factors contribute to the quality of decision-making.

Approaches

Decision-making approach. A particular manner of taking preliminary steps toward making a decision.

Rational

Rational decision-making. Decision-making that produces choices that are logical and consistent and maximize value.
  • Rationale. A reasoning characterized by making consistent, value-maximizing choices within specified constraints.
Rational decision-making model. A decision-making model that describes how individuals may rationally behave in order to maximize the outcomes from the decision.
DREPDGOFERDECIDESeven-step decision-making
DiscoverGoals clarification.Define the problem.Outline your goal and outcome.
Establish all the criteria (constraints).Gather data.
Options generation.Develop alternatives.
ResearchFacts-finding.Consider all the alternatives.
Consideration of EffectsList pros and cons of each alternative.
EnvisionReview and implementation.Identify the best alternative.Make the decision.
PlanDevelop and implement a plan of actionImmediately take action to implement it.
Do and discover againEvaluate and monitor the solution and examine feedback when necessaryLearn from and reflect on the decision.

Intuitive

Intuitive decision-making. Unconscious decision-making on the basis of distilled experience, feelings, and accumulated judgment.

Ad hoc

Ad hoc decision-making. Decision-making that happens only for a particular purpose or need, not planned before it happens.
  • Design thinking. Approaching management problems as designers approach design problems.
  • Heuristic. A rule of thumb that decision makers use to simplify decision-making.

Considerations

Decision-making dilemma. Optimizing vs. satisficing, intuitive vs rational vs ad hoc, Agile vs rigid, conservative vs aggressive, linear vs nonlinear.

Self-regulation

Self-regulation strategy.
  1. Prevention focus. A self-regulation strategy that involves striving for goals by fulfilling duties and obligations.
  2. Promotion focus. A self-regulation strategy that involves striving for goals through advancement and accomplishment.

Ethics

Ethical dilemma. A situation in which individuals are required to define right and wrong conduct.