ABSTRACT
Like any human behavior, effective thinking is adapted to the task. Having been argued by Tolman, Brunswik, Simon, and others, this claim has the status of a truism. However, it has been overlooked by research on managerial thinking, research that often ignores problem-side variables and makes few provisions for analyzing tasks. This chapter describes a problem-centered strategy for improving managerial thinking. The chapter begins with a discussion of decision theory. It then assesses process-oriented theories of decision making and problem solving. Against this background, the chapter argues for a problem-centered approach to improving managerial thinking. Such an approach is proposed and is illustrated through a case analysis. Its prospects are assessed in the chapter's conclusion.
